A complete dressage training system for you and your horse - with correct theory and strategy, gymnastic exercises to build the components for correct back utilization, lessons to develop your seat and feel, all supported by expert eye feedback - you will learn how to get out of your horse's way, GET the right feel and KEEP it.
Dressage training made for YOU and YOUR horse from a classical and biomechanics-based perspective
Let's address the most pervasive "Throughness" Myths and Misconceptions...
The only way to get the horse to lift the back is to bring the head and neck down, i.e. Rollkur, draw reins, etc.
Luckily more and more people understand the fallacy of this simplistic line of thinking. Whereas it is true that the horse naturally will lift his back better when he lowers his head and neck, this is not the only factor involved. Besides the harm and discomfort it causes to the horse, by forcibly bringing the head and neck down and keeping it there, you are disconnecting the head and neck biomechanically from the rest of the body and preventing the horse from being able to come truly through forward-upwards as well.
You just need to ignore the head and neck and only focus on the hind legs.
While this sounds nice in theory and is a natural backlash against the trend to focus on addressing the head and neck, the truth is that the horse is a holistic unit and we are doing both the horse and the training a disservice if we ignore the important role which the head and neck play in their interaction with all the other parts of the horse. Biomechanics forms a system in which all parts are interconnected. When you change something in one part of the body, it affects many other parts. In order to truly help the horse, you need to learn how all the parts of the body influence and interact with each other.
The horse needs to stretch forward-downward before you should do more advanced work.
That may work just fine for a horse who is built to stretch forward downward easily (for example, the standard issue Hanoverian may discover forward-downward stretching on Day 1 because they are built that way), but what about if you are riding a Friesian, Saddlebred, Haflinger, Arab, or any horse who is not built like the warmblood? If you just try to ride around and give the rein to get them to go forward-downward, you can ride 100 years like that and they will never stretch. In fact, not only will they not stretch, they will get increasingly more crooked, lean habitually, fall on the forehand, and the hind legs will get stiffer and stiffer, eventually becoming unsound. They’re not built to lift the back and stretch forward-downward so you actually need to start somewhere in the middle of the training with first engaging the hind legs before the horse can learn to stretch forward-downward well.
You simply need to ride the horse forward at a big trot or canter until the horse becomes “through”.
In sporthorse circles this is a popular opinion. The result is usually a horse that is ridden fast, rather than forward, around the arena, with a rider who is essentially pushing the horse with the seat into both reins. These riders often lean back to balance with their torso against the horse's mouth because the hind legs are pushing so much that the rider ends up holding half of the horse's body weight in her hands. This technique may create a round outline, but it is exhausting for both horse and rider. The horse will not carry himself with a raised, swinging back, but he will lean onto the bit and brace his back against the rider who is, in turn, bracing against the horse with her seat.
With all of this conflicting "advice" -
How do you know what is the BEST way to train your horse?
Wouldn't it be nice to get CLARITY and DIRECTION on how to obtain "throughness" classically and correctly in a way that is both Compassionate to your horse and Figureoutable for you?
Finally, we have an answer for you. Thomas and Shana Ritter are excited to announce the release of a brand new course called "Through the Back" to finally, once and for all, address ALL of this so that you have the clear understanding you NEED in order to create an effective training plan for your horse. And, of course, this includes all the WHATs, the WHYs, and - most especially - the HOWs.
Say no more.... I'm in!Because, goodness knows... it is hard to make sense of it all on your own!
Maybe you can relate?
➔ “I don’t always get the feeling of throughness and back lift consistently.”
➔ “I can GET that feeling of connection and throughness here and there, but I can't KEEP it.”
➔ "I don't really know when I've 'got it' as I don't know what it should FEEL like."
➔ "I see others make it look so effortless and wonder why I can’t ‘get it’. Have I just not found our buttons? Am I not using enough core/leg/seat?"
➔ "If I take the advice to just ride really forward to get more 'through', my horse just becomes heavy, tired, and on the forehand. Is there a better way that can preserve my horse's soundness and longevity?"
CAUTION: Loss of Throughness may cause one or more of the following: Lack of suppleness, stiff back, irritability and soreness, rigidity through the body, resistance or tension, a feeling of lack of elasticity, hollow back, bracing against the contact, non-responsiveness to the rider's aids, feeling of disconnection between hindquarters and front end, blocked energy, interrupted flow of movement from back to the poll, lack of engagement of hind legs, lack of pushing power of hind legs, lack of impulsion and power, incorrect contact and connection, non-acceptance of the aids, leaning on the reins, falling onto the forehand, irregular and choppy gaits, lack of smoothness in the movement, loss of body condition and correct muscling, loss of coordination, inverting in transitions, other challenges with transitions, loss of balance, irregular rhythm, poor scores on dressage competition tests, unsoundness over the long-term for the horse, frustration, and lack of progress for both horse and rider.
You can try to figure it all out on your own, if you want. Or you can take the deep dive learning experience with a brand new course from the Ritters.
Introducing...
The “through the back” topic from a classical and biomechanics-based perspective. We don’t teach you to just address the head and neck to get the horse to lift the back. We teach you how to ride the whole horse, how to engage the hindquarters and enable the horse to lift the back. And we don’t just tell you what you should be doing. We give you all the tools.
Theory
A classically-sound theoretical strategy for training, laid out step by step for a thorough understanding of the what and why. If you don’t know the purpose and aim of what you are doing, your intention and aids will always be unclear.
Riding Exercises
Biomechanics-based riding exercises designed for each phase of the horse’s training, from green horse to advanced. These are your tools to implement the theory into your day-to-day riding program. Each exercise has a diagram, explanation video, and written instructions.
Mental Imagery Lessons
Through our imagery lessons, we teach you mental images that you can focus on while riding. For many riders, these imagery examples are the KEY to developing their feel and taking what they study theoretically and learning how to apply it to their riding.
Audio Lessons
Pre-recorded audio lessons centered around the focal topics for each module. These help you to integrate what you are learning into your riding time, teach you how to tune into your horse, and what to feel for and observe that will guide your training as you progress.
Feldenkrais Lessons
On- and off- the horse Feldenkrais lessons which help to develop your feel, suppleness, self-carriage, and awareness so that you can enable your horse better to engage the hindquarters, and lift the back and withers.
Video Demonstrations
Through videos of Thomas, Shana, and our qualified assistant trainers showing correct and incorrect usage of the back, engagement, and application of the aids, you will develop your eye and understanding.
Video Coaching Feedback
Fine tune YOUR riding, not just your eye, by submitting videos for feedback from Thomas, Shana, and the assistant trainers. Need help, need verification, need tips, need advice? That is what this is for.
Q&As
Bi-weekly LIVE Q&A sessions with Thomas where you can get ANY of your questions answered, even those questions that are not directly related to the course material (and… by the way, it is all usually connected anyway!)
Members-Only Podcast
You will get access to an exclusive Members-Only podcast where you can listen to every TTB course training from any place, at any time. Listen on the horse, in the car, while walking the dog, or while doing barn chores.
Exclusive Community
Get feedback, ask questions, discuss topics, share your journey, and make lasting friendships in the exclusive members-only Facebook Group.
Lifetime Access
You never lose access to your course materials. That means you can come back to the course content over and over and over again, as much as you like and it (and we) will always be there for you.
Beta Course Benefits
This is a brand-new beta course, which means we are creating it around our beta course students' needs and requests. This means when you have specific questions or needs, we incorporate it into the course materials!
"These courses address detail of riding instruction not even considered traditionally. They provide bridges between what you think you know over waters to cross you didn't even know existed & you'll be able to do so at your own pace having lifetime access to complete and review. Without a doubt you'll learn things you did not realise were missing from your riding education."
Karen Veronneau
“I've been doing Ritter courses for a few years now. Through their instruction and examples, I've transformed from a skilled but driven, frustrated, rider into one who is calm, happy, and analytical in my training. I rarely get frustrated now that I have a big selection of Ritter tools in my training tool kit. When my horse doesn't respond as expected, instead of getting annoyed, my reflexive reaction now is, "That was interesting. Why did that happen and what should I do differently? What exercise will help me explain this better?" Despite having had decades of excellent instruction, it took the Ritters to teach me to be calmer, more analytical, and therefore much more effective in my riding. Everyone is happier AND we make better progress. My horses and I all thank Thomas Ritter and Shana Ritter.”
Anne Zahradnik
This new course begins July 28th
This is a Beta Course release, which is a special experience because you become part of the creation process of the course. We incorporate your questions, requests, and suggestions and we use these to make it the best possible course.
You will learn:
- How to GET and KEEP the Throughness with your horse.
- Clarity on what correct Throughness feels and looks like in a variety of situations and types of horses
- How to ride the horse on the seat (no more codependency where horse and rider hang equally on the reins)
- How to help the Horse who impersonates a Giraffe (and why waiting until he stretches forward-downward is the WORST thing you can do).
- How to help the horse who leans on the reins and will happily go around with his nose on the floor all-day long
- How to fix all those tricky places in the training where “throughness” falls apart such as transitions, movements, and the canter.
- How Throughness, Straightness, and Contact/Connection are all connected and reliant on each other (and how to help them HELP each other).
- How to develop your feel, how to get feedback to educate your feel, and how to polish that feel as you and your horse progress.
- How to sit best so you can facilitate the development of throughness in the horse (and not suppress the back movement or flow of energy).
- How to instill good habits of throughness right from the beginning with a green/young horse.
- How to adjust the training to suit your horse's individual conformation, temperament, and issues.
- How to rewire your horse’s neurological pathways and create new movement patterns.
- How to create a PERMEABLE horse where the aids travel through the horse with no obstruction or blockage. Welcome to to half-halts that go through!
- Why creating Supple Ribs is vital to unlocking the back and core muscles of the horse.
- How to enable the energy and connection from hind quarters to connect to the forehand in a balanced and light way.
- How lifting the withers is only possible after you have created the correct flow of energy in the horse. (a.k.a. the Circle of the Aids).
- Why just pulling the head down and running the horse off his feet not only don’t work, but make throughness more difficult for the horse.
- Why and how the horse needs to use his head and neck as a lever to enable the energy to travel through the horse correctly.
And (because this is a BETA course), this is just the beginning. We can include anything else you suggest that is not covered here
A quick bit about us ...
(if you don't already know us, it's nice to meet you!)
Dr. Thomas Ritter
Thomas is an international Dressage clinician and author of two books and countless articles in many publications. Originally from Germany, Thomas studied under Karl Mikolka, Egon von Neindorff, Arthur Kottas, Charles de Kunffy, Hubert Rohrer, Dorothee Baumann-Pellny, and Thomas Faltejsek. Husband to Shana Ritter, they now live together with their Lusitanos on a regenerative farm in Portgual.
Shana Ritter
Shana is originally from the US and is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, competing with Lipizzans, Warmbloods, and PREs. Shana also studied under Karl Mikolka, Egon von Neindorff, Arthur Kottas, Charles de Kunffy, and Dorothee Baumann-Pellny. Wife to Thomas Ritter, they run the Artistic Dressage training program, as well as train and plant trees on their farm, together.
Catherine McCrum
Catherine McCrum is an accredited Feldenkrais practitioner and has been teaching sport, fitness and movement since 1986 as first a ski instructor/coach and then as a Personal Trainer. She is also a Gestalt psychotherapist with a particular interest in working with developing awareness of how her clients embody their emotional and psychological patterns. Catherine assists in most of the Artistic Dressage Program courses by providing riders with Feldenkrais-based lessons to improve their body awareness, coordination, balance, and suppleness.
Charlotte Zetterberg
Based in Sweden, Charlotte is an accredited Feldenkrais practitioner and riding instructor. She is also a hypnotherapist, a reflex integration therapist, and a mindfulness instructor. Charlotte is the author of the book, FeldenRide: An Introduction to Feldenkrais for Riders. Charlotte assists Catherine McCrum with Feldenkrais in the Ritter courses. In this course, Charlotte will be recording some unique audios for you to use while riding to help you assimilate what you are learning with what you are feeling. You won't want to miss them.
Take a look at what we'll cover
(additions and modifications are to be expected, as this is a BETA course)
Module 1
The WHAT - Definition and Parameters of a perfect connection through the back
You have probably heard the expression “the horse has to go more over the back” or “through the back”. But what does that mean? It’s usually assumed that everyone knows what it is. Therefore, it is never really explained, and many people are probably wondering what this actually means or what it entails in practical application.
► How does “through/over the back” feel to the rider?
► What does “through/over the back” look like from the outside?
► Prerequisites of Throughness
► Evaluating the Posture: Engagement, Flexion of the Haunches, Lifting of the back and withers, Stretch of the topline, Roundness (bascule) of the Spine, Elevation of the head and neck
► Also evaluating the Tail, Ears, Facial Expression
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 2
THE WHY
When judging a horse’s posture and way of moving there is a general tendency to oversimplify things and to look only whether the head is up or down and whether the nose is in front of the vertical or behind. While these details are not unimportant, they are not the only criteria we need to look at when we want to form an educated opinion on whether a horse is moving “correctly” - i.e. in a natural and healthy way - or incorrectly, i.e. in a way that is likely to cause physical damage sooner or later.
► Why is it a problem when the horse is not "through the back"?
► The Goal
► Overview of the Biomechanics involved
► The role of the Rider's Seat
► How to Influence the movement with your Seat
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 3
On the Bit and Through the Back
If the horse’s back is not transmitting the energy properly in both directions, back to front and front to back, the horse can’t really be on the bit. Moving “through the back” is the prerequisite for the horse being “on the bit”. They are very closely related to each other. If the horse’s neck is round and the head is down, but the back is tight, the horse is just “impersonating a dressage horse”. He is not really honestly on the bit. There is no connection between the hind legs and the forehand and consequently no connection between the hind legs and the reins. This is traditionally called a “leg mover” because only the legs are moving, but the back is rigid.
► What does “on the bit” mean?
► Historical Development
► Form vs. Function
► “On the bit” and “through the back”
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 4
How do you ride your horse through the back?
The correct back activity results from an 'energy circuit' that starts with the movement impulses of the hind legs. They are transmitted from one vertebra to the next one and travel along the horse’s spine, from the pelvis to the poll, and from there down to the reins and back through the rider’s seat to the hind legs.
The correct movement of the back is created by hind legs that not only engage under the body mass, but also flex in their upper joints, so that the tailbone lowers slightly and the pelvis rotates so that the pubic bone moves a little forward. This raises the lumbar spine and the withers together with the base of the neck (which produces the so-called relative elevation), and it allows the poll to drop.
As long as the core muscles are not engaged enough and as long as the hind legs are not flexing underneath the body, the horse’s back will drop and the top line muscles will contract.
► The Biomechanics of Stretching The Top Line
► The Role Of Conformation
► Supporting with the Rider’s Seat
► The Two Basic Types Of Exercises
► Targeting Different Areas Of The Body With Specific Gymnastic Exercises
► Connecting The Legs To The Ground
► Troubleshooting Questions
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 5
The Mobile Rib Cage and Supple Back
Most riders and trainers are aware that the horse’s back movement has a certain significance, even if they don’t have a clear understanding of what that looks or feels like, or if they can’t explain it well. Yet, we hardly hear anybody talk about the importance of the mobility of the rib cage in the training of the horse. Of course, the thoracic spine and the rib cage are very closely connected because the ribs are attached to the vertebrae of the thoracic spine, so it makes sense that the mobility or rigidity of one will influence the other. But somehow this relationship between ribs and vertebrae is rarely discussed.
► The Horse's Back and Ribs
► Bending in Motion
► How to Mobilize The Horse’s Rib Cage
► Exercises for Mobilizing the Rib Cage
► The Role of the Rider’s Seat in Mobilizing the Horse's Rib Cage
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 6
The Ping-Pong Principle
The ping-pong principle is based on the observation that many horses have a tendency to respond only to aids on one side of their body while ignoring the other side. They may yield to the leg on one side, but they run over the leg on the other side that is supposed to catch them and provide a boundary. When that happens it’s not possible to determine the angle of lateral movements precisely, or to turn away from the arena wall in a shoulder-in, or to move the horse in the opposite direction in zigzags.
► Lateral Rocking
► Lateral Weight Shifts
► Practical Applications: Single Track and with Lateral Movements
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 7
The Circle of the Aids
The circle of aids is a useful concept that plays an important role in riding the horse through and connecting him from back to front, from front to back, and from the inside aids to the outside aids. Our teacher Karl Mikolka used to say: “The leg brings the horse to the seat, and the seat brings the horse to the hand.” The hand is then able to recycle the energy back to the hind leg.
► The Energy Circuit
► Leg - Seat/Weight - Rein - Release
► How To Generate The Circle Of Aids?
► Specific Exercises & Practical Application
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 8
The Forward-Downward Stretch
The forward-downward stretch has become somewhat controversial in recent years. There are two diametrically opposed opinions. On the one hand are those who think that stretching is the be-all and end-all of horse training, the solution to every problem, the answer to every question.
On the other hand, there are those who think that allowing the horse to stretch forward and down will inevitably destroy the horse because it puts him on the forehand and will only make him stiff and unsound. In my opinion, neither point of view is completely right, but they are not completely wrong, either. I personally think that it has its place in the horse’s training, if it is done right and if it is not done excessively. Anything that is done poorly, too often, too long, too intensively, or too early, will have negative side effects, no matter what it is.
► Prerequisites for Stretching
► No bend without stretching
► Lateral stretch before longitudinal stretch
► It’s never all or nothing
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 9
The Importance of Groundwork to Support the Riding + The Old Masters Views on Backmovers vs Legmovers
Groundwork is the starting point for the training of green horses and for rehab horses that are recovering from injuries. But it’s also a great way to warm up horses that are in regular training. Longeing, double longeing, work in hand, and long reining can complement and support the work under saddle so that the horse progresses faster than if he were only ridden.
► Using Longeing or Double-Longeing to warm up the back before riding
► The Use of Work-in-Hand to improve the horse's body awareness and establish connections
► Using Lateral movements in hand to supple the horse's hips
► Using long-reining for troubleshooting and teaching the horse new movements
►What Did The Old Masters Say about "Throughness"?
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 10
The Four Corners Concept
When you ask horses to shift their weight from their favorite leg to the other side of the body, many are not happy at all. Some of them become very defensive because they are afraid they might fall down.This is a problem because a horse can’t be truly balanced if he isn’t able to shift his weight quickly from one side to the other or from one corner of the support base to another in preparation for a turn, a transition, or a movement. A horse that is unable to shift his weight anywhere at any time will be severely limited in terms of his athletic performance, and he is at risk of injuring the leg that is always supporting the majority of the weight. One of our jobs as riders and trainers is, therefore, to teach the horse to be aware of all four legs, as well as to be able to move the weight around the four corners smoothly and easily in order to be able to turn left or right at any time, to ride a transition into another gait any time, to stop any time, or to move the haunches in either direction at any time.
►The objectives you will achieve when you utilize this concept in your training
► Large Support Base vs. Small Support Base
► Connecting The Four Corners To The Aids
► Moving The Four Corners Closer Together
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 11
The Importance of Warm-up + Old Masters Descriptions of "On the Bit"
It is important to be strategic about the warmup in order to conserve the horse’s energy so that he is still mentally and physically fresh and full of energy when we begin the main part of the workout. As soon as the horse starts to fatigue mentally or physically, the quality of the work deteriorates fast. So we want to bring the horse to peak performance for his current level of training, without wearing him out and without making him tired. How to achieve this is very different from one horse to the next.
► The Purpose Of The Warmup
► Warmup Strategies
► Longeing
► Double Longeing
► Work in hand
► Options under saddle
► Checking the horse’s suppleness
► The 6 Tests of the Hind Legs
► The 6 Essential Demands
► Old Masters Descriptions of “On the Bit”
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 12
Connection(s) And Throughness
Connections play a central role in creating throughness. And establishing connections/removing blockages and leaks plays a central role in gymnastic training in general. These connections are established by removing muscle blockages and closing gaps or holes in the transmission. Conversely, you could say that you remove blockages and energy leaks by connecting the corresponding body parts of the horse and the rider’s aids.
With each new connection that is established, the energy of the horse’s hind legs can travel more freely through his body and the permeability for the aids increases. Every time a connection is lost, the permeability diminishes and the movement impulses of the hind legs as well as the rider’s aids get stuck.
► A Network of Pathways
► Balance as a Prerequisite for Connectedness and Throughness
► The Rider’s Share
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
Module 13
Springy Hips + Riding the Horse "on the seat"
When the horse is really "through," the horse will also be "on the seat". But what does this mean, what is entailed, and what happens when the horse is not "on the seat"?
► The "On the Seat" Recipe
► Keeping the Horse "on the seat" and returning the horse to the seat
► The role of the legs and reins to support the seat
► The Throughness - Springy Hips connection
2 Riding Exercises
1 Mental Imagery Lesson
1 Stirrup Stepping Exercise
1 Feldenkrais Lesson
1 Audio Lesson
* PLUS *
We're adding some special bonuses that will ensure your success in this course.
Introduction to Stirrup-Stepping
Self-Study Course (value €110)
In this mini-course, you get a comprehensive introduction to the subtle art of stirrup stepping as an incredibly effective and helpful training tool. 23 videos, 5 introductory patterns, PDFs, and audio files. If Stirrup stepping sounds like voodoo or simple waaaaayyyy too complicated, this mini course is going to help to make sense of it all and get you started with implementing it into your riding and experiencing its multitude of benefits.
When you enroll in the "Through the Back" (TTB) Course today, you get immediate and full access to this bonus, so you can get started immediately.
Supple Ribs Bonus Pack (value €100)
Masterclass on Ribcage Suppleness for Horse and Rider, a Riding Exercise for Suppling the Horse’s Ribs, and a Feldenkrais Lesson for Suppling the Rider’s Ribs. For many riders, the horse and rider’s ribcages are not on the training radar at all aside from some consideration about bending. In fact, ribcage suppleness for both horse AND rider is vital for pretty much everything we do in the training, particularly when we are talking about keeping ourselves and our horses sound over the long term. This is a whole mini-course that is sure to enrich your understanding and application of ribcage suppleness into every sphere of your riding.
When you enroll in the "Through the Back" (TTB) Course today, you get immediate and full access to this bonus, so you can get started immediately.
Dressage Principles Masterclass Series (value €150)
Once per month (for 12 months) live trainings with Thomas and Shana Ritter on the twelve guiding principles that need to underlie the gymnastic training of your horse: The Alphabet Principle, The Root Principle, The Water Principle, The Principle of the Economy of Motion, The Aikido Principle, The Pottery Principle, The Medicine Principle, The Basketball Principle, The Ping-pong Principle, The Corner Principle, The Principle of the Narrow Track, and The Pendulum Principle. These are featured in Thomas’ book, “Dressage Principles based on Biomechanics” but until now none have been featured in any of our online courses. Comes with an engaging private Facebook Group and monthly activities to explore and integrate these principles into your daily training and methodology.
When you enroll in the "Through the Back" (TTB) Course today, you get full access to this upcoming Masterclass series starting on October 11, 2023.
“Developing Lengthenings" Mini-Course (value €19)
In this self-study mini course, you will learn the key principles involved to gymnastically develop high quality lengthenings and extensions in your horse. This course includes theory sessions and 6 arena exercises.
When you enroll in the "Through the Back" (TTB) Course today, you get immediate and full access to this bonus, so you can get started immediately.
“The Ritter Way” Journal eBook (value €19)
Keep your course notes organised with our Journal in digital format. You can print it or complete it online. Document you and your horses’ training progress. It includes arena diagrams for sketching the exercises you ride and ample space for recording your observations, thoughts, and discoveries. The journal is peppered throughout with quotes from Thomas’ teachings for inspiration along the way.
Here's what's included in the 2023 "Through the Back" Training Program?
With the complete 2023 "Through the Back" beta course program you'll get:
1. 13+ Module training program (Value €2600)
2. At-home Feldenkrais lessons you can do on your schedule (Value €1000)
3. Expert video demonstrations with commentary, develop your eye and understanding (Value €1000)
4. Rider Imagery Lessons (Value €1000)
5. Audio Lessons you can do in the saddle (Value €1000)
6. Bi-Weekly Q&A Group Coaching sessions for the entire duration of the course (Value €2000)
7. Personalized, pointed feedback on your videos for the entire duration of the course (Value €4000)
8. Exclusive Audio Podcast (Value €1000)
9. Exclusive Members-Only FB Group (Value €150)
10. A schedule built for your success (priceless)
11. BONUS! Intro to Stirrup Stepping Course (Value €110)
11. BONUS! Supple Ribs Bonus Pack (value €100)
12. BONUS! Dressage Principles Masterclass Series (value €150)
13. BONUS! “Developing Lengthenings" Mini-Course (value €19)
14. BONUS! “The Ritter Way” Journal eBook (value €19)
Total Value = ($14,148)
3 x €180
payment plan
This is a payment plan, not a subscription.
Other Currencies available.
12 x €60
payment plan
This is a payment plan, not a subscription.
Other Currencies available.
In case you've still got Questions
No problem - check out the most frequently asked ones below...
How will I get access to all of the materials?
What if I can’t make it to one of the live calls?
What support do you offer with the course?
What is the refund policy?
What if I have a question not answered here?
What level is this course for?
I'm not sure i have time for a course right now?
What is the Q&A Schedule?
How much of the content is new for this course?
Will there be a German version of the Course?
What if I am not a Dressage Rider or my horse is not a Dressage Horse?
On what schedule will the content be released?
I am nervous to share my questions or videos with others
Beta Round Student Requirements:
1. Note: This is a beta course meaning we are releasing the course before the content is complete. We will be producing the course as we release it. We do this because we have found that YOUR input helps us make a better course. In return for helping us by giving us feedback and suggestions along the way as well as letting us incorporate your suggestions into the course materials, we offer you a special beta course reduced pricing.
2. The beta course requires a one-time investment of €450. When officially released again, it will be priced at minimum €697.
3. You understand that the module schedule may be altered as we progress through the course. Some modules may take longer for us to complete production on than others, and we may add new content to previous modules as we move through the course. For as long as the course production continues, you will continue to get full access to bi-weekly Q&As to support your learning and progress.
4. You are expected to complete the course and stay relatively on schedule. Attend the Q&As or watch the recordings afterwards.
5. At the end of the course, you will be expected to provide a testimonial for the course: Either written or video (you can include footage of your horse or just talk to the camera).
Optional but appreciated: be featured in a case study interview before the beginning of the next course.
6. You also will need to complete a 20-minute end-of-the-course Questionnaire. Let us know: What did you like? What didn’t you like? Was anything confusing? Was anything missing? What would help support your learning of the topic even more?
