The Quest for Balance

In harmony and balance with the horse – this is every rider's dream. Physical and mental balance are the fundamental prerequisites for a sound partnership of animal and human on any equestrian level.

There is, however, also the opposite: Why do we see so many beautiless images of animals in Rollkur and with unclean gaits? Voices criticizing today's equestrian sport and training methods geared toward quick successes are getting increasingly loud. Is this criticism justifi ed? How can we turn the tide in the horse's favor?

Let us start with ourselves! Christoph Ackermann explains how we can bring any horse – healthily and happily – to its respective top performance by schooling the correct balance, handling the horse with affection, and applying consistent, systematic training according to the Training Scale.

Christoph Ackermann himself actively competes in equestrian sports. In this book, he presents a courageous and searingly honest critique of the established way the sport operates, which will give any horse lover food for thought.



About the author

Christoph Ackermann, a graduate in business adminis- tration and riding instructor, comes from a family of riders and is successful in dressage both nationally and internationally. As a master student of Egon von Neindorff, he is committed to classical riding. He holds the Golden Riding Badge and rides his horses, which he basically trains himself, up to Grand Prix level. He is in demand as a trainer throughout Europe and the USA.



Contents



Preface

A student's recollections

Introduction

Let us take the matter of Ethical Horsemanship seriously!



CHAPTER 1

Balance and Performance Ability: The Balanced Seat

Out of Balance – Trend riders and their role models Or: Relying on "tips and tricks" instead of listening



CHAPTER 2

The mental Balance of the horse

What does the term "Losgelassenheit" really mean?

What are the external indicators of suppleness?

Out of Balance – does the nomenclature still hold true?

A horse must be able to tolerate a more pronounced aid



CHAPTER 3

The Horizontal Equilibrium

How do we bring the horse's spine into the horizontal?

Which training route is most suitable for this purpose?



CHAPTER 4

The Vertical Equilibrium

Poll, mouth, and longitudinal bend

Maximum longitudinal bend

Bend and flexion

Permeating impulsion and throughness



CHAPTER 5

Out of Balance – all those pretty horses! Eyes wide open at the horse show

Judge, rider, and trainer or: Do ut des (I give so that you may give)

But they still do exist! Independent judges



Final Remark

Let us stay focused on what matters

Bibliography"



Auszug aus: Christoph Ackermann. "The Quest for Balance." Apple Books.