Patrick King Horsemanship & Dressage

Patrick King Horsemanship & Dressage Classical Principles for Modern Riders
(3)

06/14/2026

What are you and your horses up to this weekend?

Last year, Jim Masterson and I had the privilege of exploring the intersection of our work together. We found that when ...
06/12/2026

Last year, Jim Masterson and I had the privilege of exploring the intersection of our work together. We found that when we combine the systematic precision of classical in-hand work with the profound, release-based therapy of the Masterson Methodยฎ, something truly transformative happens.

We saw horses not just moving better, but feeling better. They were able to release tension, soften their bracing, and ultimately, become more connected, willing partners.

The experience was so impactful that we decided to do it again.

๐—๐—ผ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—จ๐˜€ ๐—œ๐—ป-๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—™๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ ๐—›๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ

We heard you loud and clear last year. Many of you wanted to be there but simply couldnโ€™t make the trip. We know how difficult it can be to leave the farm or manage the logistics of travel - especially from the other side of the world.

๐Ÿ”ฅ This year, we are removing those barriers.

We are thrilled to open registration for the Hand in Hand Clinic with both in-person attendance and a full-access livestream option. Now, you can join us from anywhere in the world to learn how to help your horse move with greater ease and mental clarity.

Whether you are in the arena with us or watching from the comfort of your own home, you will gain actionable insights into how we support the horseโ€™s physical well-being and mental harmony.

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜† ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ท๐—ผ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜‚๐˜€?

๐Ÿ“ This clinic is happening October 9-11, once again in Natural Bridge, VA... right at the edge of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

๐Ÿ”— Check out https://pkhorsemanship.com/hand-in-hand-clinic for the full clinic information, and to register to either bring your horse or attend as an auditor.

๐—ช๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ป ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—บ ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€?

๐Ÿ’ป There's a couple packages available, with more information here: https://training.horseclass.com/ftm-enroll?am_id=patrickking

We look forward to seeing you thereโ€”in person or onlineโ€”as we continue the work of building a more harmonious partnership with our horses.

06/12/2026

"If you don't have a reinback, you don't have a half-halt. Because you don't have a way to communicate with the stabilizer muscles."

Another great moment from last year's Hand in Hand Clinic with The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork as we count down to this year's clinic โณ

๐Ÿค๐ŸŽŸ๏ธVisit https://pkhorsemanship.com/hand-in-hand-clinic to register today!

We care so much about our horses that we want to help them at every stride. We squeeze, we hold, and we grip with our th...
06/11/2026

We care so much about our horses that we want to help them at every stride. We squeeze, we hold, and we grip with our thighs. We put in so much effort that we unintentionally clamp our seat, and here is the hard truth... a clamped seat is a "stop" sign for your horse. And I promise you, "more leg" is almost never the real answer. And neither is "drive with your seat."

When your seat is tight, you are effectively telling your horse to brace their back. You are creating a physical ceiling that prevents them from swinging through their topline. You end up working harder, they get stiffer, and both of you finish the ride feeling exhausted.

If you feel like you are doing all the work, your horse is likely doing none of it, and it's probably becasue you are trying so hard that are in the way.

During your next warm-up, focus entirely on your thigh muscles. Every time you exhale, consciously drop your legs away from the saddle and feel your weight sinking, letting your legs drape. When you stop trying to carry your horse with your legs, you will be amazed at how much more swing and freedom they offer in return. (You know... self-carriage).

What movement or figure gets you and your horse the most braced against each other? What piece are you actually struggling to clarify iIn order to create the fluid movement that you're looking for? Remember, clarity out-performs struggle.

06/10/2026

"When I talk to riders about the use of their aids, I tell them all the time... apply your aids with the 'Masterson mindset.' Apply with that 'Pricinciple of Non Resistance.' Don't go into it thinking you're going to bang and push and shove around."

For more information on the Hand in Hand clinic coming up in October, visit https://pkhorsemanship.com/hand-in-hand-clinic
.. and for more information on the LIVESTREAM option, be sure to visit https://training.horseclass.com/ftm-enroll?am_id=patrickking

Think of your horse like a train, and your aids are the tracks. ๐Ÿš‚Do you sometimes (or often) feel like your horse is "d...
06/09/2026

Think of your horse like a train, and your aids are the tracks. ๐Ÿš‚

Do you sometimes (or often) feel like your horse is "drifting" off the line or falling through their shoulder in a turn? When that happens, we tend to react by pulling or pushing, trying to "steer" the horse back into position. But the more we pull, the more the horse braces, and the more they drift.

Instead, try to visualize your horse like a train circling the base of a Christmas tree.

A train doesn't "steer" itself... it stays on the track because the rails provide consistent, clear guidance.

You are those the rails. Well, your aids are, anyway.

Here's a way to use your aids to keep the train on the track:

The Inside Aids (Suppleness and Energy): Think of this as your signal to the engine. It maintains the bend and keeps the horseโ€™s focus soft and supple toward the inside. Itโ€™s the "invitation" to the turn, keeping the horseโ€™s mind and body pliable.

The Outside Aids (Balance and Support): This is your exterior rail. It isn't there to "hold" the horse, but itโ€™s there to catch them if they start to drift. It ensures the horse stays balanced, preventing the shoulder from popping out and keeping the train centered on its path.

When the inside aids keeps them supple and the outside aids maintain the balance, you donโ€™t have to "steer" at all. You simply flow along the line youโ€™ve chosen.

When you ride a circle or a corner with this mindset, you aren't fighting to keep the horse on the line. You are simply managing the rails. If the horse drifts, don't kick or pull. Just check your rails. Are your outside rein and leg acting as a supportive guide? Are your seat and inside leg inviting the bend and energy?

Next time you are in the arena, imagine your horse is that train. Give yourself a "track" to follow. Be precise about exactly where your line goes. Focus on your aids as the boundaries of that track, not as tools to force the turn.

Does visualizing your aids as "rails" change how your horse feels through the corners this week? Let me know in the comments!

โญ๏ธ REMINDERJim Masterson (The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork) and I are going LIVE with a podc...
06/08/2026

โญ๏ธ REMINDER

Jim Masterson (The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork) and I are going LIVE with a podcast discussion TOMORROW, June 9, at 7pm (eastern US)!

We're going to be discussing what tension LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE in the horse's body, both from a bodywork perspective and a training perspective.

๐Ÿ”ฅ PLUS, we have some fun announcements to make. You won't want to miss this one!

This is taking place HERE on Facebook, as a livestream, on June 9 at 7pm (eastern US time).

Follow the link to can sign up for a reminder, as well as a replay link that we'll send out after the live stream!

https://www.academyforclassicalhorsemanship.com/talkingabouthorses

โ€œStart where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.โ€ -Arthur Ashe
06/08/2026

โ€œStart where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.โ€ -Arthur Ashe

06/06/2026

What are you and your horse currently working on improving?

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