Katrin Silva - Contact: What It Is, What It Isn’t, Why We Need It, How to Get It.

This presentation talks about why we should ride a horse with light rein contact, as opposed to always on a loose rein. I show that contact has nothing to do with pulling the horse’s nose to his chest, or making a horse heavy in the bridle. The opposite is true: teaching a horse about the right kind of contact helps him be the most balanced, most athletic, and ultimately happiest version of himself

Because of the horse I have learned to slow down, to listen, to breathe. Because of the horse, I have learned to live with a quiet sense of purpose. I owe the horses in my life more than I can ever repay.

Katrin Silva grew up in Germany, where she learned to ride dressage. At age 19, she moved to the Southwestern US and apprenticed with a couple of western trainers before starting her own business. Today, Katrin feels equally at home in both types of saddle. Though her training is dressage-based, she focuses on finding common ground between different riding traditions. She has won her fair share of blue ribbons at the regional and national level, but her true passion is creating better partnerships between horses and riders.

Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Katrin has spent the last thirty years working with horses and riders from all walks of life. She has earned her USDF bronze medal on an off-the-track Quarter Horse, holds MA degrees in German and English literature, and runs ultramarathons in her spare time. Her new book “Dressage for the Rest of Us” explains the benefits of dressage for all types of horses and riders.