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Whole Horse Journeys is a complete system that gives you all the tools you need to show you

• how to Ride
• how to Train and
• how to properly Care for your horse.

Because you want your horse to be happy Whole Horse Journeys is a step by step proven system that allows horse and rider to build on a solid foundation of physical, mental and emotional training. WHJ instructors help you to understand the mechanics behind the system, how it affects your horse and why it works. The system is built upon seven tenets of riding and training.

The Seven Tenets of Whole Horse Journeys system of riding and training:

1. Develop a system of training that uses kindness and reward and eliminates pain or abuse
2. Develop a training pace that suits the individual rider and horse
3. Develop a system of training that is clearly understood by both rider and horse
4. Develop a system of training that puts safety and fun for both rider and horse first
5. Develop a system of training that can be easily adapted for any style of riding
6. Develop a system of training that preserves and enhances the horse's natural way of going and spirit
7. Develop a system of training that allows both horse and rider to reach their highest potential

Whole Horse Journeys has combined two ancient, proven systems, which, when blended together create a calm, happy cooperative horse and a secure confident rider. Searching back seven thousand years to the first horsemen on the Steppes of Asia, Whole Horse Journeys uses the first system of horsemanship that places a rider in perfect balance with a horse going across country and over uneven terrain often at speed.

Whole Horse Journeys draws from this ancient tradition for their Classical Forward Riding technique. We blend the Classical Forward Riding with the strength, balance and high quality performance of Classical Dressage developed by Xenophon in 535 B. C., to create a well-rounded mount perfect for almost any type of riding.

With Whole Horse Journeys you will discover:

• The Four Key Elements every rider needs for a Secure, Effective Seat
• The Four Key Fundamentals for a Happy, Cooperative Horse
• The Four Phases of Cooperation

With Whole Horse Journeys you will utilize proven exercises to develop:

• Strength and agility your horse needs to perform his best
• Balance and rhythm to make you truly one with your horse
• Expert communication between you and your horse
• More Security, more Confidence and more Fun in your riding

And much more…

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How to Ride

Whether you ride Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Western, Saddle Seat or enjoy the trails, there are Four Key Elements basic to creating a calm, cooperative horse that you can ride anywhere you want to go.

1. Unity of the horse and rider in motion
2. Security of the rider in the saddle
3. Non Abuse of the horse by the rider's seat, hands or legs
4. Effective communication

Using these Four Key Elements, Whole Horse Journeys develops the following
Four Phases of Cooperation between horse and rider.

1. Authority and Balance
2. Communication and Cooperation
3. Performance and Agility
4. Central Balance - Collection

Gallop position excersize allows rider to develop the four key elements of a
functional seat without abusing the horse's back, side, or mouth.

Phase 1. Authority and Balance

Phase One allows riders to safely enjoy a schooled horse in the ring, over 2 ½ foot jumps, in the field on trails and in company of other horses. The horse experiences pain free riding and therefore is able to enjoy being ridden.

Phase One includes exercise s and theory topics to develop the rider's ability and understanding of:

1. Authority over the horse
2. The Four Key Elements of a Functional Seat
3. The horse's behavior
4. Mechanics of the horse's gaits
5. How horse's see
6. Natural and artificial aides

Excersizes over uneven terrain allow rider to
develop balance in motion with the horse.

Phase 2. Communication and Cooperation

Phase Two allows a rider to safely enjoy a schooled horse at all gaits in the ring, on challenging trails, in open fields and over 3 ½ foot jumps. Phase Two gives a deeper level of communication between horse and rider and is ideal for showing, foxhunting, timed events, team penning and other competitions. In Phase Three a rider can begin schooling and teaching in Phase One communication.

Phase Two includes exercise s and theory topics to develop the rider's ability and understanding of:

1. The five rein aides
2. The five basics of control
3. The three leg aides
4. The three types of balance
5. Contact, connection and impulsion
6. Lateral and Longitudinal agility
7. Bits and bitting

Phase 3. Performance and Agility

Phase Three allows the rider to experience a high level of performance, agility and communication between themselves and their horse. This phase of riding is ideal for the rider who wishes to compete in "A" level competition, jump at least 4 feet and school a Phase Two rider or horse.

Phase Three includes exercises and theory topics to develop the rider's ability and understanding of:

1. Flexions and semi collection
2. Developing an eye
3. Quality of movement
4. Softness and precision
5. Building strength

Central balance (collection) creates a high level
of communication between horse and rider.

Phase 4. Central Balance

Phase Four gives the rider the ultimate in communication and performance with their horse. Phase Four leaves Classical Forward Riding and moves strictly into Collection, which is used primarily for training in the ring. A Phase Four rider is able to ride at Prix St. Georges level and instruct and train through all four phases.

Phase Four includes exercises and theory topics to develop the rider's ability and understanding of:

1. Central balance - Full Collection
2. A high level of cooperation with the horse's efforts and reactions
3. Specializing in riding area - Usually Dressage
4. A high level of precision and communication between horse and rider
5. Deeper understanding of movement and performance

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How to Train

Whether you ride Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Western, Saddle Seat or enjoy the trails, there are Four Key Elements basic to creating a calm, cooperative horse that you can ride anywhere you want to go.

1. Unity of the horse and rider in motion
2. Security of the rider in the saddle
3. Non Abuse of the horse by the rider's seat, hands or legs
4. Effective communication

Using these Four Basic Elements, Whole Horse Journeys develops
Four Phases of Cooperation between horse and rider.

1. Authority and Balance
2. Communication and Cooperation
3. Performance and Agility
4. Central Balance

Phase 1. Authority and Balance

In Phase One the horse is allowed to develop the proper muscles and agility for carrying a rider safely and willingly in all gaits, over different types of terrain, over obstacles and jumps. The horse learns basic communication signals and develops the physical ability to respond quickly and efficiently to such signals. The horse can be ridden at all gaits in, or outside, the ring and over 2 ½ foot jumps.

The rider uses a non-interfering seat which allows the horse to develop quality
of muscle and agility so it can carry the rider in a more balanced state.

Phase One uses a non-interfering seat to develop the following:

1. Stabilization
2. Rhythm
3. Moving freely forward
4. Balance
5. Straightness

Longitudinal excersizes increase agility in the horse.

Phase 2. Communication and Cooperation

In Phase Two the rider begins to work with the horse to increase agility, balance and cooperation. The horse and rider begin to work together as a team. The horse can be ridden in shows, team penning, timed events and other competition, over 3' 9" foot jumps, in the hunt field and over challenging trails.

Phase Two uses a cooperative seat to develop the following:

1. Lateral and Longitudinal Agility
2. Connection
3. Impulsion
4. Softness
5. Precision

Lateral excersizes increase agility in the horse.

Phase 3. Performance and Agility

In Phase Three the horse reaches a high level of performance, agility and communication with their rider. Phase Three is ideal for increasing the strength and agility of field hunters, open jumpers, reining and other high competition horses. The Phase Three horse is capable of "A" level competition, jumping more than 4 feet and performing through Third Level Dressage

Phase Three uses an influencing seat to develop the following:

1. Flexions and semi collection
2. Develop Strength
3. Lifting of the back
4. A High Quality of Performance
5. Full cooperation with the rider's hands, seat and legs

Central balance (collection) is used to develop
strength, agility, and cooperation in the horse.

Phase 4. Central Balance

In Phase Four the horse the ultimate in their ability to respond precisely and efficiently to their rider's most subtle signals. Phase Four leaves Classical Forward Riding and moves strictly into Collection, which is used primarily for training in the ring. A Phase Four horse begins Prix St. George level dressage.

Phase Four uses an influencing seat to develop the following:

1. Full degree of collection in all gaits and movements
2. A high level of precision
3. A high level of cooperation with the rider's hands, seat and legs
4. Specialization of work - usually for dressage
5. Full development of strength and agility to enable high levels of performance

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