Quiet Riding

"The horse's head and neck act like a balancing pole and also move around to collect sensory information."

"There are many ways to force the horse's head into a fashionable carriage, but that may not help the horse use its back well and therefore allow free leg play even in shortened strides."

"The head carriage a horse volunteers reflects whether or not the horse has the overall balance we are looking for. Wise riders don't hide that valuable clue by imposing a particular head carriage...."

"Do not think for a minute that you can pull his head down — or set it — with the side reins. This is not acceptable."