Longeing the Rider for the Perfect Seat: A How-to Guide for Riders, Instructors, and Longeurs »

Linda Benedik is an equestrian, author, trainer, clinician, and riding instructor. She is the founder of Harmony with Horses, a pioneering riding program that blends mind-body practices such as hatha yoga with classical balanced-seat equitation for improved rider awareness, comprehension, and performance. She is the creator of the instructional video series Yoga & Riding Techniques for Equestrians and the author of Yoga for Equestrians. She lives in Ventura, California.

In this detailed guide and exercise book, riders, instructors, and longeurs are given the nuts-and-bolts of rider longeing—how to choose longe horses, outfit them correctly, cue them with stance and longe whip, structure a rider-longeing session at various stages of seat development, and maximize learning and rider recall while avoiding common pitfalls. By combining traditional mounted exercises with yoga, conscious breath work, and hands-on bodywork, this unique rider-longeing program helps the rider create a personal balance that leads to a deeper connection with the horse while at the same time develop a stable, correct, elegant, independent seat. The 46 exercises for the midsection, upper, and lower body are accessible for riders at any level and will help them achieve riding goals while preserving their horses well-being.

Equine Wellness

You'll find suggestions on how to develop effective longeing sessions for riders at various levels, and numerous helpful rider exercises, each accompanied by eye-catching photographs and easy to understand step-by-step instructions.