The Alexander Technique is used to improve comfort and performance in equine sports. United States Dressage Federation Hall-of-Famer Sally Swift has long used the Alexander Technique to add depth and subtlety to her teaching. Her Centered Riding® technique, used by equine athletes and therapeutic-riding instructors, combines body awareness, imagery, and centering and grounding techniques to facilitate communication between horse and rider. This allows both horse and rider to replace old patterns of movement to move more freely and comfortably, thereby enhancing their performance.

Since the communication between horse and rider is so intimate, the quality of the rider’s coordination affects both the horse–rider interaction and the horse’s coordination. If a rider is nervous, for instance, the horse picks it up. If a rider holds her back stiffly, the horse also tends to stiffen. He must rebalance to accommodate the weight, as well as compensate for the added tension in the rider’s back. When a back is stiff, pulled-in legs and arms can signal tension to the horse and interfere with the coordination between the rider and horse, adding to the horse’s confusion. Insensitive hands can restrict the horse’s neck and stride.

Alexander Technique can assist the rider in developing good posture and suppleness, which will affect how the horse responds. When the rider’s awareness of their habits and coordination improve, the horse’s performance improves as well. The riding team becomes more efficient and integrated. (Written by Pat Daniels.)

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