Welcome to the Harmony With Horses web site! Here you will find a variety of ideas and methods 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 humans. Most riders seek union with the horse—it is a universal goal despite the various reasons we ride. While riding is not a "natural" act, it can become a "harmonious" one when we cultivate the appropriate level
of self-discipline that will enable us to safely enjoy our chosen mounted
activities. Whether we are content with elementary skills,
or desire a higher degree of sophistication and control, we must take responsibility for our riding education and research the learning opportunities available to us.
Today, educational resources for riders abound. With the Internet, the wide world of equestrian knowledge is at our fingertips, although it may seem daunting to explore the multitude of books, videos, and programs on the market. There are (and always have been) differing opinions on the art of riding, in part, due to the many types of horses bred for specific purposes, resulting in alternate approaches to the same goal. Nevertheless, there are common threads of wisdom that weave through the works of classical teachers, connecting past to present, and depicting the well-ridden path to harmony.
To better understand this path, it helps to remember that humans have been sitting on horses for thousands of years. Throughout history, the practice of riding developed as both a martial art and a performance art. Techniques became "correct" as they were tried, tested, and proven effective in consideration for the well-being and preservation of the horse. Such methods have been well-documented by riding masters worldwide—even the United States Army once produced its own horsemanship manuals.
As we strive to interpret and apply the classical principles, we become aware of "obstacles" that block our ability to move in unison with horses. Chronic tension, poor posture, excessive grip, incoordination, mental anxiety, and fear are some of the common hurdles riders must overcome. Sadly, it is the horse who suffers most when riders prematurely attempt to control the horse before obstacles have been identified, addressed, and eliminated. Such an ineffective approach can result in even more difficulties, such as: confusion, frustration, struggle, and force, all of which negatively impact both rider and horse and increase the already inherent risks in riding.
Although technology enables us to communicate with each other instantly and get results at lightning speed, equines communicate primitively through body language. As riders, we are challenged by the need to "speak" in a similar non-verbal manner on horseback. For most people, a conscious use of body language is not the daily method of communicating, which is why acquiring requisite riding skills and self-control takes priority in a classical riding education. To ride safely and effectively, our riding posture must develop, as well as our ability to focus the mind and relax at will, while refining the awareness and physical coordination necessary to convey our desires without disturbing the horse.
The body language used on horseback is called "equitation," but before we can speak it, there are preliminary objectives to meet before mastering this communication style. We will need knowledgeable teachers (not necessarily competitors) to help us interpret body and horse and hone our basics so we can learn to converse physically using both "talking" and "listening" skills. Becoming a fluent "equitator" also requires an experienced equine teacher to impart a feel of the gaits before we are expected to influence or control them.
The most logical way to remove obstacles and build a solid repertoire of riding skills is on the longe line, as described in my brand new book: Longeing the Rider for a Perfect Seat. Based on my "Riding Without Reins" longeing program, this book will benefit riders, instructors, and longeurs, and presents a comprehensive rider training program to help you achieve a closer-to-perfect seat and position.
The book defines Rider Basics, Equitation, The Four Corners of the Seat, The Phases of Seat Development, and explains in detail how conscious breathing in rhythm along with your "seat steps" enables you to participate in the horse's movement as though dancing! Being longed is profoundly effective as a rider training tool—it facilitates education and improves performance—in fact, it offers the most direct path to creating the harmony on horseback that you desire!
I hope this introduction inspires you to learn more...and I wish you all the best on your personal equestrian journey.
Happy Riding!
Linda
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| My longeing program "Riding Without Reins" takes 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 breathing, seatwork, and hands-on bodywork, riders can create a personal balance that leads to a deeper self-understanding and connection with the horse. |
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| 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. |
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| “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. |
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| 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. |
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| Linda
Benedik is an internationally known equestrian author, clinician,
trainer, and riding instructor 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, published in the USA by Trafalgar Square Publishing, and in the UK by Kenilworth Press. A foreign language edition is available from Italian publisher Equilibri. Linda's two-part instructional video series Yoga & Riding Techniques for Equestrians
complements the book, and is also available from Trafalgar Square. In
December 2007 Trafalgar Square released Linda's second educational
equestrian book 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 the beautiful 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 continues to study and train
academically.
For the safety, enjoyment, and well-being of riders and their horses, Linda advocates a thorough program of rider basics, seatwork, and equitation to prepare riders for equestrian sports or horse training (i.e. dressage). Not
only does she enjoy longeing students, but also encourages them to
learn the vaulting compulsories. Her "Riding Without Reins longeing
program enables beginning riders to start safely and correctly, and helps long-time riders refine skills and prevent bad habits.
An
innovative equestrian educator, Linda is dedicated to facilitating the
holistic learning process inherent to riding. Students benefit from her
personalized teaching style that integrates 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 it her specialty.
In addition to working with equestrians from the East to West coasts, Linda has tutored
visiting riders from Canada, Europe, and South America. For over a
decade, she has presented educational clinics that combine traditional
riding instruction with unmounted RiderHarmony Workshops featuring Yoga
for Equestrians. As Linda helps students learn the body language
essential for communicating with horses, positive results occur
predictably in her clinics as the mutual relaxation of riders and
horses is observable...and often life-changing for participants.
Linda resides on California's Gold Coast in San Buenaventura where she freelances as a private equestrian trainer
for an exclusive local clientele in the Los Angeles region.
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| Using hands-on bodywork, Linda sculpts the rider’s position and helps students develop and refine rider basics: Awareness, Breathing, Relaxation, Suppleness, Alignment, Rhythm, Coordination, and Feel. |
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| Click here to for general information and comments. |
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| Here's Linda going over a few notes with her amazing equine pupil (and teacher) the Lipizzan gelding registered as "Conversano Gloriana" and fondly known as Gustavo, Gus, Gussy, the Gusman...Click here to email Linda. |
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