Customer Reviews

Balance in Movement: How to Achieve the Perfect Seat

5 star:		(14)
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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took up riding as an adult, and have been struggling with sitting the trot on my warmblood mare with extravagant movement. I bought this book based on a review I read in an equestrian magazine, and by the time I had finished the first 3 chapters, went back and ordered 3 more copies (1 for each of my trainers, and 1 for my sister who would otherwise try to steal my copy). It has been incredibly helpful to me personally, and my trainer finds that some of the images and instructions are helping her to get through to other students better, as well. Probably the most valuable book in my rather large equestrian library!

After two years of off-and-on dressage lessons, I still had not found my seat. This book helped me get a true dressage seat. My horse is so thankful! I bought one to read and highlight, another to lend out. It's especially helpful for trainers to explain the physiological basis for the correct seat, hands, leg, etc. Also, for adults learning to ride, who process information much differently than kids, Susanne von Dietze knows how to explain riding properly. The book contains a lot of helpful photographs, as well as anatomical illustrations. The exercises and stretches are also great. My only beef with the book is that is was translated from German by a German, so the English is awkward at times, but this is a minor quibble.

"Balance in Movement" is an excellent book for the thinking horseman who wishes to improve his/her communication skills with their horse. The book details how, physically, we ride and how our body, unconsciously or unconsciously, effects the way our horses react. This is not an easy read, the anatomical terms can get a bit unwieldy, but the excellent photos and line drawings illustrate each point clearly, and make rereading sections valuable. This book can be compared favorably with "An Anatomy of Riding" by H. Schusdziarra, MD and V. Schusdziarra, MD., although "Balance in Movement"does not have a specific Dressage focus. I can recommend this book to anyone who has wondered just exactly how to achieve the perfect balance on a moving horse.

I have been an instructor of dressage for 30 years and am a U.S.D.F. certified instructor. This dvd gets to the root of most riders problems with the seat. Very good videos are shown with excellent audio. Ms Dietze focuses in on what to do to improve. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to improve their riding. This is in my own library and should be in everyones library, professionals as well.

This book changed my riding - after ten years of riding and showing - I finally am developing the ever-elusive INDEPENDENT SEAT. My horse is delighted, moving freely forward and over her back. Filling up her ribcage and carrying me softly because I am no longer a nasty burden! Sitting the trot, without bobbing, weaving or bouncing is easy now if I align and control my body the way this book describes.

I've promised it to many struggling rider friends, but can't let it out of my hands.

It's very technical - lots of anatomy and physiology interspersed with simple little exercises, some in front of a mirror, that help you understand how your body can work when you're riding. The writing is clear, concised, detailed and practical.

Plan to spend time with this book, reading, re-reading, studying, assimilating. It is truly awesome.

I read this book just after I finished reading Mary Wanless' book 'Riding With Your Mind', which is referenced in Von Dietze's book. They book cover a similar topic, although Wanless' book expands into the area of right brain work to improve your riding while Von Dietze sticks to physical aspects of improving your riding seat. Her book suffers by comparison with Wanless's book because it is less well written and she is not as good as Wanless at describing how to put your various body parts in the right place. However it is an informative book and offers some good insights, particularly for the novice rider. The main deficiencies in the book from my perspective are that firstly she relies on the rider having access to lessons on the lunge, which is rarely done in Australia. Secondly the section on lateral movements is extremely brief and goes nowhere toward describing how to ride these movements. You will need to find a different book if this is what you are looking for.

I've only been riding for a little less than a year, but after reading and studying just the first three chapters of this book my instructor was amazed at how far my seat had progressed. It's very thorough and has great explanations while giving both mental and physical advice for you to apply in riding. I loved this book and think it's an amazing investment for improving your riding

An excellent explanation of why & how to properly "Keep you heels down" "use more seat/leg" . Tells you how to communicate to your body what it needs to do to communicate to the horse in a manner he understands what your request is.

Having studied dressage for just a couple of years, I've discovered it's a demanding and exhilarating sport. This DVD is not a substitute for an instructor, but it does contain plenty of useful advice and longe-line exercises. I'm glad I bought it.

The DVD's production values are also quite good, better than I expected.

This book has helped me answering many questions about the rider's balance. Explains easyly the role of each body's part.
It is quite dense and requires concentration!!