KTG Equestrian

08/08/2026

Enlightened Equitation (EE), founded by classical riding authority Heather Moffett, is a French Classical Equitation based approach to riding focused on harmony and clear communication rather than physical force.

​For the Rider:

A Lesson in Body Awareness

​Movement-Matching: Instead of "sitting deep" or "pushing" the horse, you learn exactly how the horse's back moves so your pelvis can absorb and match that motion seamlessly.

​Precision Over Pressure: Aids are taught as subtle signals, focusing on weight and seat—rather than pulling on reins or gripping with legs.

​No More Muscle Fatigue: You stop fighting the horse's rhythm. EE teaches you to align your skeleton so your body works with rather than against the horse's momentum.

​For the Horse: A Relief from Resistance and Strain

​Freedom of Movement: Without a rider bouncing, gripping, or pulling, the horse can free the shoulders and engage its hindquarters comfortably.

​Clarity and Peace: Because the rider's aids are clear and consistent, the horse doesn't get confused or frustrated by mixed signals.

​Physical Preservation: It prevents long-term muscular strain and joint wear, making riding an enjoyable, low-stress partnership rather than a battle of wills.

​Essentially, it turns riding into a conversation instead of an argument—allowing rider and horse to move together like dance partners.'

13/02/2026

This is so true.

Why do these particular basics take so long?

They don't actually take that long. I spent years seemingly having the same lesson over and over.

"Let go of the inside rein, don't pull it backward."
"Relax your leg DOWN, don't scrunch it up."
"Move your hips, don't squeeze your butt!"

These are frustrating to learn when you've spent years developing poor muscle memory of scrunching and pulling. Even when your brain wants to do something different, your body struggles to let these habits go.

On top of the frustrating and lengthy process of un-doing, comes the mental resistance: for many, thoughts that this work is below them, or not necessary to them. Some have heavy mental resistance in the form of shame, where they feel so discouraged now that they are being told they "can't ride" (which is not what is being said). The feelings that this will take so long they'll never get anywhere. Maybe even frustration or anger they haven't been taught this before. This is probably the longest part of the process - the rider sorting through all sorts of mental resistances to re-learning a feeling seat, as opposed to scrunching and pulling aids that work in opposition to the horse.

There is nothing to be ashamed of, however, because it is human nature to want to feel secure. A body scrunches when it isn't stable, and when a secure seat is not taught, and a rider in their learning is either directed to do what I call "mooshing the horse around" which is to say, sending the horse through a series of aids and movements without a seat that can accomodate these directives, or just simply forced to survive the horses movements without tools, the body learns to defend itself. This self defense feels threatening to the brain to let go of, and so it is very natural for this process to be difficult.

Learning these movements well for the first time is relatively easy. My new to riding students have an annoyingly easy time learning because they don't know these habits. For these new riders, the process can be fairly straight forward (lucky sons of guns ;) ).

So why do the basics take so long? They actually are fairly straightforward (not easy), provided there isn't much resistance. If there is resistance, don't feel bad or ashamed. I struggled deeply, floundered profusely, and filled three whole books with my frustration and angst over the process. There is nothing braver and nothing more important than leaving behind the feelings of false control of a pulling hand and scrunching seat and leg - To surrender yourself to the horse and actually learn to balance, to learn to guide and feel and actually RIDE, not just survive or boss the horse around.

It feels difficult because it actually is - that is why so many forgo this process. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

13/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AWXGdJu1o/

01/07/2025

Exactly what I aim to teach!

Good back to front riding, in essence, is about educating the hind leg. It’s about teaching the horse to flex the joints downward, so the front legs can flex upward. It’s about creating swinging, suppleness, stability, and a swinging, moving back.

To get this, the rider commits to becoming stable and supple themsleves. They commit to the discipline of learning to use aids subtly with good timing, and to never use an aid outside of their own center: the emphasis is on the seat, and so the hand is never a solution to a stability problem. The rider gains over time the discipline to check themsleves first: to not make knee jerk corrections to the horse when it’s likely the rider has lost center, feel, rhythm, or swing. It is a commitment to responsibility to be what you want the horse to be- to provide a balanced opening forward, not to chase, prod, beg, or threaten the horse into balance (which is an oxymoron and an impossibility)

This way of riding creates a very confident horse who is calm but energetic. One who can breathe deeply, feel unafraid of the aids but understands they are actually their friend , one who has very comfortable gaits to ride because of their suppleness. It creates long term soundness and best of all, it creates a deep and lasting friendship between horse and person.

The reason for so much pushing and holding Is because it’s easy and requires no real
Self discipline from the rider - the focus is all about making the horse take a shape and go forward. It’s cheap and easy enough to learn quickly.

The reason so little high quality back to front riding can be seen is because of the arduous commitment to better positioning and mind frame development - to be flexible mentally while maintaining commitment.

It could take two lifetimes to get it. I’m not perfect at it now, but I am committed to learning and grateful for the guidance toward the most beautiful way of being with a horse I’ve discovered. Some days it feels incredible, other days too difficult to manage. Some days I miss feeling like I know what I’m doing. But overall I adore the art, and the self development required.

If it were easy everyone would be doing it -

01/07/2025

How true this is.
It's what I aim to teach.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DxQTaGMJj/

14/04/2025

Specialising in posture improvement - improving biomecanics , rehabilitation and the classical seat.

Experience in troubleshooting various ridden problems including...

Bridle lameness
Overreactive / underreactive to riders aids
On forehand/ tripping
Spooking, difficulties hacking
Dropping out of gaits
Turning / circles
General anxiety / shut down ridden behaviour

Some of the partnerships I have helped include..

"Trotting" pony panicking when asked to canter.

Ex Polo pony panicking when asked to trot.

Dressage horse reluctant to move in school.

Dressage horse "bridle lame" from previous training.

Arab that would not go across water.

Riders who suffer from back pain generally find their back pain improves or goes with lessons.

Based in Bracknell I can travel to you depending on distance.

Fully insured, qualified Level 2, EE Teacher.

Please feel free to message me.

01/04/2025

First time for turn on the haunches

07/07/2024

Improve your dressage scores with Biomechanics.

Squarer halts, better turns, rounder circles and free walk are just a few of the things that can be improved.

Please feel free to get in touch to discuss any aspects that you wish to improve on.

Lessons on clients own horse.
Bracknell based from £30 for approx 45 mins (travel charges may apply).

23/06/2024

Biomechanical ridden lessons (clients horse) given by an Enlightened Equitation Instructor (level 2).

I aim to teach in an hour for riders of reasonable experience, although beginners often achieve this as well...

Tidy up the experienced rider and work on any specific problems.
Check and work on position and posture.
• How to feel what hind legs are coming under the body in walk
• Separation of seat bones in walk and trot allowing a “No bounce” sitting trot.
• Teach good rising trot with emphasis on a quite lower leg
• How to sit canter (experience/horse permiting)

This is along with any rider faults that are noticeable and any concerns the rider may have or issues they wish to address.

Bracknell based.

24/10/2023

ADVERT: Freelance Riding Instructor

Katherine Turner - Enlightened Equitation Teacher (Level 2)
If you want to learn to ride with kindness, in complete harmony with your horse, and with elegance and finesse, then I can help you achieve your goal.
With simple and logical explanation, I help you to learn to:
- develop a deep and elegant classical seat.
- synchronise your movements with those of your horse, so that you move together as one unit.
- apply the aids so that they are clear to your horse, but not obvious to the onlooker.
- achieve the correct foundation of lightness, balance and collection in your horse without the need for force or forceful gadgets.
Suitable for all ages, levels and aspirations, from novices to advanced/competition riders. Nervous riders a speciality.
"Problem" horses, no problem.
Bracknell based, so prices dependant on time/distance. Message for a quote/chat.