Jec Ballou is the author of 101 Western Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider, 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider, and Equine Fitness. She is a national advisor to the Western Dressage Association of America and contributed to the current rules for the sport. She teaches clinics across the United States. She lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Introduction

1 How the Muscles Work

2 General Rules of Fitness

3 Schooling vs. Conditioning

Conditioning Exercises: Spiraling In and Out, Sprint Lines, Strengthening the Front End, Legging Up, Transitioning Downward, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Massage, Loops and Poles (David Lichman), Waltzing with Your Horse (Sherry Ackerman), Gearing Up to Gallop (Yvonne Barteau)

4 Posture Determines Strength

Strengthening Exercises: Rein-Back up a Hill, Rein-Back on a Curve, Turn on the Forehand in Motion, Exercise on a Slope, Riding a Drop, Canter to Walk Downhill (Gina Miles), Gymnastic Jumping, Sets and Reps for Arena (Jennifer Bryant), Double Longe (Mark Schuerman), Arena Interval Training

5 Warming Up and Cooling Down

Warm-Up Exercises: Tail Pull, Tail Rotations, Lateral Cervical Flexion (Jim Masterson), Shoulder Release Down and Back (Jim Masterson), Shoulder Release Down and Forward (Jim Masterson), Loosening the Back, Warm-up 1 - The Oval, Warm-up 2 - Simple Trot Pattern, Shoulder-In to Shallow Serpentine (Betsy Steiner), Canter on the Honor System (Jessica Jahiel)

6 The Mighty Neck

Neck Exercises: Horizontal Frame Conditioning, Changing Speeds, Counter Canter Loops, Counter Canter Serpentines, Shoulder-In Repetitions, Shoulder-In Traveling Out (Manolo Mendez), Striding In, Striding Out

7 The Stifle Is Critical

Stifle Exercises: Trotting Poles in an Arc, Pick-up Sticks, Lifting the Hind Legs, Bringing the Hind Legs Forward, Stepping Over Slowly, Cantering on Uneven Terrain, In and Out Leg-Yielding (Becky Hart)

8 Time to Stretch

Stretching Exercises: Shoulder Rotation Stretch, Rear-Leg Circles, Pelvis Tucks, Poll Stretch, Hip Stretch, Shoulder Circles, Bladder Meridian Exercise for Tension Release (Jim Masterson)

Exercise Routines

Four Fitness Goals

Glossary

Contributor Biographies

Resources

Index

Pullout Exercise Cards