Bridging the Gap
Between Tradition & Holistic Development in Dressage
Dressage is an art—a conversation between horse and rider built on trust, balance, and harmony. Yet, somewhere along the way, the industry has drifted toward shortcuts, force, and artificial frames, often compromising the horse’s well-being in pursuit of results.
That’s where The Mindful Dressage Rider comes in—a movement inspired by the desire to bring dressage back to its roots while integrating healthy biomechanics, postural development, and a training approach that truly honors the horse. This isn’t just about riding—it’s about redefining how we develop our horses for longevity, soundness, and true partnership.
Meet Caitlyn Bean
Founder of the Mindful Dressage Rider
My name is Caitlyn Bean, and my journey in dressage has been shaped by an unwavering pursuit of understanding—of both the horse and myself.
From an early age, I dedicated myself to the art of dressage, training in traditional systems that emphasized precision, refinement, and submission. I was passionate, committed, and determined to rise through the levels. But as I spent more time immersed in the sport, questions began to surface:
Why were so many dressage horses sustaining significant injuries throughout their careers - when dressage was supposed to build them into stronger, more capable athletes
Why did so much of the training revolve around forcing one "ideal" rather than allowing each horse to find true balance and harmony in their own body?
Why were so many horses so visibly unhappy, existing in a cycle of pain and tension, when the goal was supposed to be developing happy, healthy, expressive athletes?
One pivotal moment forced me to look deeper—my heart horse, Rockstar, developed a sudden, unexplained neurological condition. Despite every diagnostic and conventional treatment, there were no answers. That experience propelled me into exploring rehabilitation, biomechanics, equine postural health, and holistic approaches to training.
Since then, every horse that has entered my life has deepened my understanding, guided my evolution, and reinforced that there is a better way.
Shifting the Paradigm
The Mindful Dressage Rider was created to blend the wisdom of classical principles with the latest understanding of biomechanics, equine postural health, and whole-horse care.
This isn’t about rejecting tradition—it’s about elevating it. It’s about moving beyond force and rigidity to embrace a more mindful, biomechanically sound, and horse-centric approach.
We don’t have to choose between sport and the horse’s well-being. We can honor both.
Because dressage isn’t just about movements—it’s about the horse.
What It Means to "Shift the Dressage Paradigm"
Shifting the paradigm means rethinking what we’ve been taught, questioning what we see, and embracing a deeper awareness of equine movement, biomechanics, and postural health. But it goes beyond just training—it extends to every aspect of horse care.
Modern domestication has set horses up for failure in ways we often don’t realize. Nutrition, farrier care, dentistry, and management practices directly affect how a horse feels, moves, and performs. When we take a whole-horse approach, we bridge the gap between natural function and what we ask of them in sport.
Moving beyond outdated methods that prioritize control over connection.
Focusing on correct postural development over artificial collection.
Integrating modern science, biomechanics, and holistic horse care into training.
Ensuring that nutrition, hoof balance, dental health, and management support soundness.
Creating a space where horses thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Developing riders who listen, adapt, and truly understand their horses. This is more than just a new approach to dressage—it’s a movement to change the way we develop, train, and care for our horses for sport, longevity, and well-being.
This is more than just a new approach to dressage—it’s about developing sound, balanced athletes for longevity and well-being.
Join The Mindful Dressage Riders
This is a community of riders, trainers, and horse lovers who are committed to:
Asking the hard questions.
Continuing to learn and evolve.
Supporting one another in the journey toward better horsemanship.
Shifting the dressage paradigm—together.