Sonja Weber, a classical rider and trainer with over 25 years of experience, shares how to keep the horse healthy long-term with classical dressage, through developing its carrying capacity.Passionate about sharing how training can be used to develop the horse’s body to support its health, she has written two books, and produced several films on how to use collection to build the horse’s thoracic sling muscles, and establish a healthy posture.Based in Germany, and originally from Austria, Sonja Weber has extensive experience using classical dressage to develop horses of a vast number of breeds, from Lusitanos and Arabians, to Icelandic horses and Haflingers.Sharing her insights online in both English and German, Sonja has a wealth of knowledge about the connection between biomechanics and classical training – and continues to inspire students and followers from around the world with her simple and straightforward insights. In this episode, we explore:◼️ How to recognise Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture◼️ How the thoracic sling works and why it’s so important◼️ How to use classical dressage for different breeds and conformations◼️ How you can change a horse’s posture through trainingFor this special episode, we filmed this conversation in Sonja’s native German, to make it easier to dive deep into the topic, and what you see here is an English translation. If you’d like to see the original German version, you can watch the full episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gSWwp-XCBBgTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:01 How can you use training to keep the horse healthy long-term?04:41 Using collection to develop the horse’s carrying capacity10:21 Why is posture important, and how can you influence it?14:50 Analysing piaffe and passage & modern competition19:05 What’s the role of the forehand in collection?21:35 Abnormal Compensatory Posture & changing the horse’s posture27:26 Developing piaffe with multiple breeds & stallions’ natural posture31:13 How Topline Syndrome and Abnormal Compensatory Posture develop33:00 Elements of collection, balance, & the horse’s natural shock absorbers41:14 The role of the back, and analysing the long & low position47:26 What does the correct rotation of the horse’s spine look like?52:56 What Sonja Weber’s own path has been like & healthy older horses57:31 Working with different breeds & using classical dressage to benefit them1:01:47 Working with traumatized horses & flight animal instincts1:09:48 Using classical dressage across breeds and disciplines1:13:39 What do you want to see more of in the sport dressage world?1:17:49 Finding your own path & staying with one trainer🐎 Learn more about Sonja Weber and her training:Website: https://www.sonja-weber-reitkunst.de/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonja.weberreitkunst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonja_weber_reitkunst/ 🎠 Follow the INSIDE THE MANÈGE Podcast:Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacequestrian/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacookeequestrian Website/Blog: https://mariacooke.com/ 🔔 Subscribe to INSIDE THE MANÈGE for more interviews with classical riders🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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