The DRT Training System
Suppleness
Suppleness in your joints gives you the ability to move freely with your horse’s movement by remaining relaxed, yet fully engaged and stable in the saddle. This suppleness is what riders have when they are making riding look effortless. Improved suppleness will also allow you to ride without aches, pains and stiffness, so you can enjoy your riding more.
The DRT Training System
A model to help you understand the four elements that combine to achieve the ultimate goal of dressage — that of coalescence. We are currently looking at the element suppleness.
Suppleness is achieved through a combination of flexibility, elasticity and strength in your muscles and ligaments that surround your joints. I sometimes refer to this as elastic strength. You need this suppleness in all your joints, but especially your vertebrae and hips because they absorb most of the movement of the horse.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the range of extended movement you have in your joint. An increased range of movement allows your body to absorb larger movements and move fluidly with less strain. If your flexibility is restricted in one area such as your hips, then your body will compensate and have to find the rest of the movement required from somewhere else. An example is tight hip flexors giving you a sore lower back. Improved flexibility comes from both the muscles and the ligaments that surround the joint.
Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of your body to return to its neutral state quickly. Having the flexibility to extend your range of movement is great, but you also need to be able to contract back equally well — because dressage, and any form of horse riding, requires quick reaction speeds to adjust constantly to a horse’s movements.
Muscle, Joint & Ligament Strength
Throughout this constant expansion and contraction, you need to maintain strength throughout that range of movement. Maintaining strong and healthy muscles, joints and ligaments keeps your joints safe and reduces wear and tear over time.
It is this combination of flexibility, elasticity and strength that creates suppleness in the saddle. If you have too much strength or poor flexibility, you become stiff and rigid and cannot move freely. Likewise, if you have very little strength or too much flexibility, then you won’t be stable in the saddle.
Our Hip Suppleness program gives you the exact workouts that will improve your suppleness in the saddle. See full details here.
The four elements that combine to achieve coalescence
Each element strengthens the others. Together, they form one entity — you and your horse, moving as one.
Tap an element to explore its program.
Explore the elements
Which element do you want to explore next?
Suppleness
Suppleness in your muscles, ligaments and joints allows you to move freely with your horse’s movement, with less strain on your body.
Learn MoreStability
Stability in the saddle gives you a centered and balanced seat, dramatically helping your horse’s movement.
Learn MoreStamina
Improved stamina allows you to ride for longer, maintain mental clarity and not make mistakes. It also reduces your risk of falling.
Learn MoreMindset
Your mindset governs the actions you take and decisions you make. Controlling it is the single best life-skill you could have.
Learn More
Free Download
Dressage Rider Fitness Guide
Gives you specific exercises and stretches to do before you ride — so you can start moving with your horse from your very next session.