Crystal Forsell
Dressage Training: Inside Leg to Outside Rein-- Unpopular Opinion 😱
Ok, I’m going to jump on my soap box for a hot minute. Unpopular opinion here: inside leg to outside rein is not the gospel, magic...
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Crystal Forsell
Dressage and Horsemanship
thoughts &
notes
Crystal Forsell
- May 28
- 2 min
Dressage Showing Collective Remarks: Rider Position
This is so important because it can let the rider know when they are presenting the horse well, or part of the problem.
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Crystal Forsell
- May 14
- 2 min
Collective Remarks: Impulsion = Energy and Carrying Power! 💪
Some visual indicators of having good impulsion are the flexion of the grounded hind leg, lowering of the croup (which in turn the whither w
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Crystal Forsell
- Apr 22
- 2 min
Collectives Remarks on Your Dressage Test: Gaits
The gait score is important because it can tell you if there is a problem with a gait, which can indicate a hole in your training.
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 21
- 2 min
Dressage Levels Explained: Second Level
Moving to Second Level in dressage? Emphasize balance, suppleness, and collection. Non-brilliance moves hold value. Learn more!
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 21
- 1 min
Dressage Levels Explained: First Level
First Level in dressage demands heightened balance, suppleness, and thrust. Master lengthenings, transitions, and 15m circles for a polished
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 12
- 1 min
Dressage Levels Explained: Training Level
As written on the USDF tests the purpose of training level is: “To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, by showing...
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 12
- 2 min
Dressage Levels Explained: Introductory
If you are new to dressage or showing, I’d love to bring some clarity to the different levels for you. I’ll break it down into a new...
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Crystal Forsell
- Jul 20, 2023
- 1 min
There Was A Crooked Horse... Goals for a Straight and Sound Dressage Horse
Unwinding the crooked horse for straightness and soundness
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Crystal Forsell
- May 16, 2023
- 2 min
How to track your horse’s progress– tips for photographing your horse
Tracking your horse's progress with photos. Tips for taking good photographs.
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Crystal Forsell
- May 9, 2023
- 3 min
Relaxation in Dressage Horse, Rhythm v. Relaxation: The chicken or the egg?
Which is most important for riding, rhythm or relaxation?
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Crystal Forsell
- Apr 25, 2023
- 3 min
Train and Restore Workshop -- Masterson Method and Equine Posture
Recap of a weekend of learning equine bodywork and posture.
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Crystal Forsell
- Jan 6, 2023
- 1 min
Quick Riding Position Tips
Quick tips for your equitation and horse back riding position you can do yourself.
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Crystal Forsell
- Dec 8, 2022
- 1 min
Riding Position Checklist
Do you have a checklist for your horseback riding position?
Here are ideas for creating your own dressage riding position list.
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Crystal Forsell
- Oct 1, 2022
- 2 min
Tips for body clipping your horse
Top tips for an expert clip job on your horse!
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Crystal Forsell
- Jun 2, 2022
- 1 min
Hot Weather Riding Tips
In the northern hemisphere, we are in that season of sun, sweat and popsicles! For some us, the most sand we are going to see is arena...
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Crystal Forsell
- May 20, 2022
- 1 min
Understanding Asymmetry in Your Horse
Appreciate your horse's asymmetry through your own.
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 21, 2022
- 2 min
Grace After Time Off
Giving your horse some grace… There are times when your horse will get time off. Chances are, if your horse hasn’t been worked in a week...
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Crystal Forsell
- Dec 6, 2021
- 2 min
Allowing Your Horse to Flow with Your Intentions
In my training I always try to show the horse what I want, not what not to do. Same with small kids, if they are doing something you...
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Crystal Forsell
- Sep 14, 2021
- 2 min
The Magic in Letting Go
Let it go! Let it go! And by “it” I mean your horse’s face. I see and feel more results in the let go part of the aid than I do the...
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Crystal Forsell
- Sep 3, 2021
- 2 min
The Question of Spurs
How to use spurs and how not to.
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Crystal Forsell
- Jun 9, 2020
- 1 min
Decoding your Dressage Test
Why the negative comment on a 7 or higher? When I first started showing, I didn’t understand why sometimes I would get a negative comment...
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Crystal Forsell
- Jun 6, 2020
- 2 min
6 Reasons to Try a Virtual Horse Show
Reasons to Try a Virtual Show and 3 Handy Tips! Just a few months ago, virtual horse shows were mostly ignored. Then, overnight, they...
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Crystal Forsell
- Oct 15, 2019
- 2 min
Show him the way
Show them the way. My coach used to tell me this in lessons with young horses long ago.
It is an important theme we need to keep in our ridi
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Crystal Forsell
- Aug 31, 2019
- 1 min
Creating Symmetry in Your Horse #1
In my Facebook Group, Open Minds Dressage (check it out, all riders welcome), We recently began a group challenge with three exercises to...
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Crystal Forsell
- May 2, 2019
- 2 min
Decoding Your Horse's Face
Have you ever noticed the little nuances in your horse's face? Your horse could be revealing important information about himself. ...
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 10, 2019
- 2 min
Book Review: "55 Corrective Exercises for Horses", Jec Aristotle Ballou
I purchased this book because I need some more ideas on developing more topline and correcting patterns of movement for my mare. I have...
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Crystal Forsell
- Nov 21, 2018
- 2 min
Five Things Your Horse Really Wants
As we are drawing closer to that festive time of year filled with mistletoe and carols, it is also a time for reflection. I know so many...
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Crystal Forsell
- Sep 17, 2018
- 4 min
Set Your Horse Up for Success: The Foundation and Basics
Foundation vs. Basics As riders, we hear the word, “basics” constantly. How many riders really know what that means and how to apply it?...
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Crystal Forsell
- Jul 21, 2018
- 5 min
One More Time!
Tips for dressage and horsemanship training. How to keep horses interested in the work.
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Crystal Forsell
- Jul 12, 2018
- 2 min
Book Review: "Acupressure for Horses", Ina Gösmeier
It’s wonderful when we can have a professional to come to us and do some bodywork for our horses. Horse owners may not be able...
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Crystal Forsell
- Jul 10, 2018
- 3 min
Five Ways Horse People Are Already Prepared for Parenthood
If you’re a horse person thinking of babies this a must read! If you already have babies, or grown children, I hope you’ll chuckle along...
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Crystal Forsell
- Jun 30, 2018
- 1 min
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find original content and training and horsemanship (not as though those things are separate), recaps of...
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Crystal Forsell
- Feb 26, 2017
- 4 min
Continuing Education for Judges: Seminar with Lilo Fore 2/18-2/19/17
It’s been about three weeks since I have arrived in Austin, Texas. My mare, Layla arrived two weeks ago and has settled in at her new...
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