Supercharge your flatwork and dressage performance with Manuela McLean$29.95

Boost Your Dressage Scores with Learning Theory. e-Book by Manuela McLean

The complete set of articles as published in Horses and People Magazine.


A systematic and evidence-based approach to improving flat work and dressage performance

The only dressage training manual that integrates tradition and art with the latest understanding of biomechanics and how the horse learns. It contains fundamental skills and enlightening step-by-step lessons from renown dressage coach, Manuela McLean.

Understanding how the horse learns, moves, engages and collects is essential for riders who want a clear and systematic approach that allows them to break down training into sensible and achievable small steps. The emphasis throughout the book is on achieving clarity of the rider’s aids, as well as protecting and developing the horse’s physical and mental abilities in the pursuit of the collection and self-carriage judges will reward.

This collection of articles explains how to avoid incorrect responses while improving obedience, developing rhythm, straightness, contact and engagement. It also covers riding the competition test, lateral work, developing collection, and it ends with advice on how to improve the canter and achieve flying changes. The focus is on shaping the training progressively, and the horse’s responsiveness to the aids serves as the benchmark for progression. Calmness, relaxation and safety form the base for all training.

Manuela McLean is the wife of world renowned Equitation Scientist, Dr Andrew McLean. She and Andrew co-authored “Horse Training the McLean Way” and more recently “Academic Horse Training”.  Her coaching style is encouraging and positive, which enables riders to feel confident and successful. Manuela trained Joann Formosa and Worldwide PB, in just 8 months, to win a gold medal at the London Paralympic Games in 2012.

Manuela specialises in fixing common problems such as tension, ‘laziness’, heavy mouthed, on the forehand, crookedness, as well as improving rider confidence, competition nerves and postural problems. As such, these aspects are covered in detail throughout the series.

Inside this e-book you will find:

  1. Introduction by Dr Andrew Mclean
  2. The Equitation Science Training Scale
  3. Judging versus Training
  4. Incorrect Responses
  5. Obedience
  6. Developing Rhythm
  7. Straightness
  8. Contact
  9. Engagement
  10. Riding the Test
  11. Lateral Movements – Leg yield and Shoulder-in
  12. Lateral Movements – Half Pass and Pirouettes
  13. Developing the Canter and Counter Canter
  14. Flying Changes