No. 328 Jec Ballou Equine Fitness

Jec was raised in a horse training family in Vermont, studied dressage throughout Europe, and eventually settled in California. About 15 years ago, she realized that most of the problems riders struggled with stemmed from their horses not using their bodies well. They lacked strength or coordination, they had muscle imbalances, they were stiff, and so on. Meanwhile, horse training had become too specialized and way too complicated. We needed simple, straightforward tools to help horses use their bodies optimally. This prompted her to write her first book in 2005, 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider, which was endorsed by the United States Dressage Federation as critical for every rider to own. Three other books followed, all of which have been translated into foreign languages and are widely trusted around the world for helping horses regain freedom of movement, enjoyment of exercise, and strong bodies. Today, she works with students and their equine partners across the globe through publications, customized fitness plans, online courses, and in-person clinics.