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The Positive Riding System is the lifelong work of Danish Bereiter Henrik Johansen. This positive approach to training and teaching is based on the theories and philosophies of classical dressage, as well as an understanding of the horse's natural instincts, behaviors and psyche.

​By studying the horse's natural way of moving, and developing the horse's abilities using a language that the horse understands, we end up with horses who reach their full potential.

Use the expanding sections below to read and download The Positive Riding System, chapter-by-chapter or section-by-section.

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1. Introduction

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CHAPTERS

1. Foreword
2. ​Introduction

2. THE BASICS

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chapters

1. Goals for the Education of the Horse
2. Harmony
3. Balance and Equilibrium
4. Rider's Position
5. The Aids
6. The Good and the Bad 
7. Tempo
8. Speed
9. The Outside Rein
10. Straightness
11. Half-halts
12. Collection and Self-carriage
13. Straightness on Bent Tracks (the Broholm Exercise)
14. Impulsion 
15. On the Aids
16. On the Bit
17. The Frame
18. Suppling Work
19. The Warmup
20. The Gears
21. When the Horse Gives You the Incorrect Answer
22. Timeline for Training
23. Barriers to Learning​

3. Understanding the Horse

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Chapters

1. The Psyche of the Horse
2. Excuses as Seen Through the Eyes of the Horse
3. Punishment and Correction
4. Maintaining Soundness in Our Horses
5. The Croup High Horse

4. Setting Goals and Developing a System

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Chapters

1. Setting Goals
2. A Discussion About Goals
3. Planning Your Training
4. The Pyramids
5. Self-test
6. Negative or Positive?
7. ​Riding on Your Own​

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forms

Current Status Analysis
Goals For the Rider  |  Example
Goals For the Horse  |   Example
Work Plan

5. Movements

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CHAPTERS

1. The Purpose of the Movements
2. Transitions
3. The Halt
4. Turn on the Forehand
5. Leg Yielding
6. Turn on the Haunches
7. Circles and Bent Tracks
8. Riding Corners
9. Shoulder-in
10. The Half Pass
11. Rein Back
12. Flying Changes
13. Canter Pirouettes
14. Passage
15. Piaffe

6. Training Techniques

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CHAPTERS

1. Exercises with Cones
2. Longeing
3. Longreining

7. Equipment

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CHAPTERS

1. Traveling Equipment

8. For Trainers

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CHAPTERS

1. The Instructor's Tasks
2. Self-development
3. Ambition and Ability
4. Mutual Respect
5. New Student
6. Motivating the New Student
7. Successful Teaching
8. To Teach is to Develop
9. To Learn
10. Speak to the Head
11. The Trainer's Corner

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