Riding in the Moment: Discover the Hidden Language of Dressage

The best teachers distill grand concepts into straightforward language. By this measure, Mike Schaffer is a grand master. What is often missed in major works addressing classical dressage is the basic fact that, if it makes no sense to the horse, instruction is useless to the rider.RITM is, in this sense, a seminal work: a work in which Xenophon, the Cadre Noir, Alois Podhajsky, and Buck Brannaman meet and converse with, say, Lendon Grey and Edward Gal. The net result is a clear, effective statement of both the requirements of doing, and the state of thought, needed by horse and rider to achieve relaxed, harmonious grace.RITM is not going to tell you where to put your foot, or how to do pilates on horseback. Rather, it tells you where the horse needs to put HIS foot, and how to help him do that -- step one being, how to help him understand that you are there to teach, and he is there to learn. How, in short, to start a conversation.RITM does assume that you already know a few things. It is not intended for abject beginners to basic horsemanship - but it is ideal for horsemen who are abject beginners at dressage. It makes no presumption that you have the right horse, or that you are your horse's ideal rider. Instead, it offers what dressage offers: a passage to a safe, sane, well-mannered, and above all, well-balanced horse - that you have trained yourself.In summary: I've been messing about with horses for 50 years now. This is one of a very small handful of books that not only maintain a place on my shelf, but get taken down weekly for a refresher read.- Jenny Pournelle, author of  Outies (The Mote Series)  and  Excavations: A City Cycle

This book is an absolute MUST READ for all riders, trainers, and instructors! Having been a trainer and instructor for over twenty years whose students have praised me for being able to break things down into understandable pieces, I have been trumped by Mike Schaffer in that ability: The 5 (yes just 5!) basic training skills that he breaks "dressage" down in to are so amazingly simple and easy. You will be as shocked as I was at the common sense of it all and as grateful. I put "dressage" in quotes because this is not another one of those books on dressage where you (or your horse) already have to know how to "do" dressage...you will by the time you are done though. Or any other discipline for that matter. As primarily a Western rider, I have recognized for years the benefits of "doing dressage" for my horses, but have been unable to gain those benefits because I cannot "do" dressage. Until after reading Mike's book that is! The 5 skills you will learn in this book are applicable to every horse sport you can name or even if you just want a better-trained, softer, more-willing horse, these skills are for you. I don't want to give any secrets away...you will just have to read the book for yourself, but I promise that after reading the book, you will be buying his other  Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse , buying his dvd (his first of many I hope), and joining his chat group to talk with the rest of us about what we have learned from Mike and the progress we are making (information on his dvd and the chat group are available on his website: [...]

Finally, a book written from the bottom up! Most books on Dressage assume you are a student of Dressage riding regularly with a qualified professional on a schooled horse, but Ride In the Moment starts from the beginning with a horse that is green or has no dressage background. It talks about developing a true partnership with the horse that is sensative to the horse's learning to understand what we want. I also found this book very compatible with much of what Parelli speaks about and with Linda Parelli's Game of Contact. Tier One, in "Ride in the Moment", Go, Stop, Move Out, Turn In and Soften are very compatible with Parelli's philosophy that is developed in its' Levels. I am a firm believer in Good Horsemanship is Good Horsemanship no matter what the discipline and for people who think Dressage is some magical thing or ONLY for Dresage riders is wrong. Dressage is solid basic training to help teach the horse how to become a better athlete and a rider who does not clash aides and unbalance the horse. It is a worthwhile read.

Are you a rider? are you thinking of getting into the Art of Dressage? or do you already ride Dressage? don't matter this book is the one to get. Do you have a lazy partner? or are you lazy? well this book will get you in the groove and making your horse that performs like a bus into a horse that performs like a super charged Corvette, and a blast to ride. The author is very talented in writing. he is simple in explaining the hard to attain language of Dressage. He teaches horse speak as an English professor teaches you the basics of writing papers . from basic building blocks to build a Passage or a good flying change. All dressage students MUST get this book. He makes Dressage easily understandable as football. Kudos to you as this book is essential in learning the building blocks to a great ride.

I wish Mr. Schaffer would write more books. His way of explaining and breaking down concepts is truly a gift. I've had more aha! moments since reading this book and '5 things you can do in 30 minutes to improve your riding forever' than I think I've ever had in my entire riding lifetime!For those who are interested in 'natural horsemanship' AND dressage (and sometimes the two seem like opposite ends of the world) this book does a great job of putting into play the NH concepts with the goals of dressage.I've ridden for over 30 years and I've trained my own horses using both traditional concepts and natural horsemanship concepts; I am always looking to improve my self and my horses. Next time I start a youngster I will have a much clearer picture of how to arrive at my goal of combining these methods.

His method of explanation always seems to provide those 'light bulb on' epiphany moments. I always look forward to trying them out and feeling the small differences each time. Another easy to read book for mere mortals!

A really informative book that really makes sense - a book to keep referring back to.

Just started reading and so far have found it very helpful and enjoyable to read

An approach to horse training that makes things easier to understand, to learn and perform for both the horse and the rider. A bottom-up, step-by-step approach with key points and suggestions. Easy and quick to read, a very high info/time ratio!