Riding With Sticks is proud to host the inspirational and fantastic Rylana Stauffer from Quintessential Dressage. 

Rylana brings over 30 years of experience as an equine professional, having studied under multuple internationally renowned teachers, Rylana combines classical horsemanship principles and biomechanics to avhieve cooperative outcomes with your horse that can't be beatem. Rylan's philosophy is that training should be light and fun for the horse, so they will continue to return to the arena with willingness and express pride in their work. Preserving the horses good will and generosity, making the horse feel safe, while creating a balanced dance partner is the priority through a combination of in-hand work, riding and bodywork, Rylana offers an unmatched wholistic approach to horse education.

In addition to her fantastic philosophy and approach, Rylana also has specific skills and experience across the following wide range;

o Experience with over 20 different horse breeds including rare breeds such as Akhal Teke , Knabstruppers and gaited horses.

o Stallion Handling, I have worked with many different stallions over many years, from breeding, training and competing performance stallions to circus show horses

o Introducing the undomesticated or unhandled horse or foal to human contact and handling

o Starting horses in a classical traditional way and helping students to start their own horses

o The art of working in hand from introduction through to advanced movements such as piaffe and passage

o The process of ridden training from the green horse up to advanced movements, I have successfully brought on several horses through this process, a journey of many years of progressive training for each horse

o Assessing the horses muscling, conformation and mental wellbeing and creating a training plan for that horse

o Optimizing health and performance with body work, acupuncture and laser/red light

o Using advanced in-hand and lunging techniques for the purposes of rehabilitation

o An understanding of anatomy abnormalities and genetic problems our horses can have

o Rider bio mechanics and Rider posture optimising

o Franklin ball method

o Rider mindset and nervous riders

o European style Vaulting instruction

o Working equitation

o Hoof health and balance, analysis of correct angles for optimum balance and alignment. I am trained and experienced in trimming and shoeing including full support and remedial shoeing with packing and frog support. Although I only offer this service for horses that come and stay with me for training as part of my wholistic training package

o Assessing the basics of saddle fit and balance and making small adjustments

o Liberty training and trick training, bowing, laying down, spanish walk and many more!

You can read more about Rylana and her approach via her webpage https://www.quintessentialdressage.com/