This web site was created by author, trainer, and clinician, Linda Benedik. It showcases a collection of educational materials to help you create a deeper, more resonant harmony with the horses you ride.
Creating harmony on the back of a large, unpredictable flight animal is a complex learned activity for both horses and riders. Most every equestrian seeks to establish union with the horse--it is a universal goal despite the various reasons we ride. And while riding is not a "natural" act, it can become a harmonious one when we cultivate the appropriate level
of self-discipline to safely enjoy our mounted
activities. Whether we are content with recreational riding
or wish to pursue a higher degree of sophisticated control, riders today must take responsibility for their education. This starts with an exploration of the many learning opportunities available.
Riding resources certainly abound. With the Internet, information is at our fingertips although it may seem daunting with the multitude of books, videos, and programs being marketed. There are (and always have been) differing opinions on how to master the art of riding, in part due to the varied types of horses bred for specific purposes. This has resulted in a myriad of approaches to the same goal of creating harmony with horses. Nevertheless, as you research, you'll likely find common threads that connect the works of classical teachers, past and present, that depict the well-ridden path to rider harmony.
Humans have been on horseback for thousands of years. Historically, riding and training developed as both a martial art and a performance art. Over time, techniques were deemed "correct" because they were tried, tested, and proven effective, and took into consideration the well-being and preservation of the horse. Such methods have been documented by riding masters worldwide--even the United States Army once produced its own horsemanship manuals.
While striving to interpret and apply time-honored principles, modern equestrians often face "obstacles" that block their efforts to harmoniously connect with the horse's movement. Lack of awareness, chronic tension, poor posture, one-sidedness, impatience, anxiety, fear, and excessive grip are some of the common hurdles riders must overcome. Sadly, our equine partners suffer most when "horse control" is prematurely attempted before rider obstacles have been identified, addressed, and eliminated. This approach is the absolute longest road toward harmony, and can create further riding obstacles such as: confusion, frustration, struggle, forceful manipulation--which negatively impact the safety of rider and horse and increase riding's inherent risks.
Although technology enables us to communicate instantly and exchange information at lightning speed, horses continue to learn slowly and communicate primitively, through a physical language of postures, expressions, and movements. To be successful at riding and training, we must take time and learn to communicate in a similar non-verbal manner. For most people, body language is not consciously used to communicate, which is why it is important to develop the requisite skills (i.e. rider basics) that enable us to use our body to speak with horses physically. Self-control of body and mind takes top priority in the process of becoming a conscious rider...and while most equestrians strive for a balanced position, to become conscious you must also hone your ability to focus your mind, understand what you are doing with your body and why, and relaxon demand.
The body language riders use on horseback is "equitation," but before one can speak this language, there are preliminary objectives to meet: rider basics. To accomplish these objectives, students need knowledgeableteachers (not necessarily competitors) to help interpret body and horse and hone fundamental qualities. An effective instructor guides riders to converse with horses, developing both talking/active and listening/passive skills. Becoming a fluent "equitator" also requires an experienced equine teacher to impart a feel of the gaits before a student is expected to influence or control them.
Thus, the most direct way to remove obstacles and build a solid repertoire of riding skills is to learn on the longe line, as prescribed by classical teachers over the years and detailed in my book: Longeing the Rider for a Perfect Seat. Based on my experiences as both a teacher and student through decades of classical training, my book offers a comprehensive program to facilitate a "closer-to-perfect" seat and position, and will benefit riders, instructors, and longeurs.
The book defines: Rider Basics, Equitation, The Four Corners of the Seat, The Phases of Seat Development, and describes how conscious breathing in rhythm synchronized with your "seat steps" while mounted enables you to participate in the horse's movement as though dancing! Longeing is a profoundly effective rider training tool and more rapidly improves performance in the saddle--in fact, it offers the most direct path to creating the harmony on horseback that you desire!
I hope this introduction will inspire you to learn more...and I wish you all the best on your equestrian journey.
Happy Riding!
Linda
"Riding Without Reins" is a creative longeing program with a holistic approach: addressing physical posture and performance, while helping riders focus wandering thoughts and neutralize emotions. By combining traditional mounted exercises with yoga in the saddle, conscious breathwork, seatwork, and hands-on bodywork, riders can create a personal balance that leads to a deeper self-understanding and connection with the horse.
One of the many benefits of rider longeing is that it preserves the horse's sensitive mouth by preventing the misuse of the rider's hands for balance. Here, Sierra is practicing the "Double Whips" exercise, which will challenge her seat, promote the relaxed position of her arms and shoulders, and help her develop an independent use of her hands.
“Recreational Vaulting” is an increasingly popular cross-training method for riders practiced on the longe line without reins, stirrups, or a saddle. Using a vaulting surcingle helps riders quickly feel secure and confident, leading to rapid developments in balance, postural stability, and mind-body coordination. Plus, learning the vaulting compulsories may be the most fun a rider will ever have on the back of a horse! And it is not just for kids or trick riders...I was introduced to vaulting in my 40's, and you can read testimonials from other adult amateur riders in the chapter called "Vaulting for Riders" in my new book, Longeing the Rider for a Perfect Seat.
Meet Linda Benedik
Linda with her favorite "art project," Conversano Glorianna.
Linda
Benedik is an Instructor of Classical Equitation and Dressage, and an internationally known equestrian author and clinician in the United States. She is the founder
of Harmony With Horses, a unique riding program that blends mind-body practices such as hatha yoga with traditional equitation and dressage.
Harmony With Horses is the birthplace of the acclaimed book Yoga for Equestrians, first published in 2000 in the USA by Trafalgar Square Publishing, and in the UK by Kenilworth Press. A foreign language edition was released in 2003 by Italian publisher Equilibri. In 2004, Linda's two-part instructional video seriesYoga & Riding Techniques for Equestrianswas published by Trafalgar Square to complement the book. In
December 2007 Linda's second instructional book was released, entitled: Longeing the Rider for a Perfect Seat: A How-to Guide for Riders, Instructors, and Longeurs.
A life-long artist and student of the horse, Linda began riding in Maryland horse country. Introduced to dressage as a young rider, it became her passion. After apprenticing with traditional trainers in the early 1970's Linda attended Lake Erie College
in Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Equestrian Studies. In
1981 she began teaching professionally, and throughout her career has continued to study and train
academically. For the safety, enjoyment, and well-being of riders and horses, Linda advocates a thorough program of basics, seatwork, and equitation in preparation for equestrian sports or horse training (i.e. dressage). Not
only does she promote longeing, but she also encourages riders of any age to
learn the vaulting compulsories. Vaulting and rider longeing enables beginners to start safely and correctly; it also helps long-time riders refine skills and eliminate obstacles.
An
innovative equestrian educator, Linda's career has been dedicated to facilitating the whole-body learning process that riding involves. Students have benefited from her
personalized teaching style that integrates life experiences in music, art,
dance, visualization, meditation, hatha yoga, and other types of
bodywork. While it is often said that teaching riders to feel is a difficult if not impossible task, Linda has made this her specialty.
In addition to working with equestrians from across the USA, Linda has tutored
visiting riders from Canada, Europe, and South America. Since the mid-1990's, she has presented educational clinics that combine classical riding instruction with unmounted RiderHarmony Workshops featuring Yoga
for Equestrians. As Linda guides students to master the body language
essential for communicating with horses, positive results occur
predictably in her clinics where the mutual relaxation of both riders and
horses is observable and often life-changing for participants.
Linda resides North of Los Angeles on California's Gold Coast. She currently has limited availability for teaching private or group clinics, locally or long-distance. Sessions with Linda will teach you to blend Yoga for Equestrians with the principles of traditional equitation, and to perfect your classical seat for improved "conversations" with the horse. Please contact Linda using the form below.
Thank you.
Linda is also a classically trained singer, musician, and rock vocalist. Learning abdominal and diaphragmatic breathing from voice teachers, and strengthening these techniques with a practice of hatha yoga, she learned to integrate conscious breathing with her riding and teaching. Drawing from her musical experiences, Linda guides riders to use breath control for improving rhythm, relaxation, and creating a fluid cadence in the horse.
Contact
Fill out the feedback form to the left if you'd like to contact Linda. Thanks!
