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Dressage horse training: Dressage is a style of horse training that dates back to ancient Greece. It's the best way to build a strong and flexible horse.Dressage horse training dates back to ancient Greece, and was perfected in France and Germany over 500 years ago. If you look at ancient Greek statues of horses and riders, you'll notice that they look a lot like modern dressage horses and riders. Think of it as a combination of Pilates and aerobics for your horse. Done correctly, it is hands-down the best way to build a strong and flexible horse. Here are some useful tips and techniques from today's experts for training your horse in the beautiful sport of dressage.Although George Morris is better known for advice on jumping, he uses the term “educated hands” to describe the type of contact riders should strive for.It’s a wonderful term and an even more wonderful horse training goal. Here are two tips for getting you there.Think you know how to do an effective half-halt?Ask a student to execute a half-halt, and you are sure to see a very wide variety of very odd movements. Even 2nd and 3rd level riders are often ineffective in performing this simple but extremely crucial movement. Without it, you simply can't get your horse rebalanced so that he drives from behind rather than pulling himself around the arena on his forehand. Do it this way and you'll never go wrong.Dressage horse training: The best way to improve your dressage riding is to improve your seat.I started riding hunt seat, and I had what I'd been told was a good "seat". In two-point, my toes were kept at a 60 degree angle, my inner calves pressed securely on my horse’s barrel. I stayed in two point as much as possible. With this secure seat, I could even jump and post without stirrups.Then I took a dressage horse training lesson. To my horror, my instructor expected me to actually sit the trot, explaining that the horse’s movement was something to “go with”, not something to avoid. It was agony. I gripped, I wobbled, I perched, I bounced. And eventually, I learned what a “good seat” really meant. As a result, the quality of my dressage horse training improved, as did my horse’s strength and well-being. Even my jumping improved. I learned there there are three secrets to developing a balanced seat. Here they are: The top 10 errors dressage riders make and how to avoid them.Over the many years of giving dressage and jumping lessons, I have found that there are common errors that riders make. These errors keep them from progressing toward their horse training and riding goals, yet riders are often resistant to changing them. These errors are also hard on their mounts, causing them back pain, shoulder pain, lameness, short stridedness, runouts, and refusals. I briefly discuss these errors here and easy ways to correct them. If you practice them, not only should your riding improve, but your horse will thank you, too. Click here to see these errors and easy ways to fix them.Dressage horse training: You know how to turn a horse, right?Just pull on the inside rein! Then why does your trainer keeping going on about your outside rein? And what does it have to do with your horse being on his forehand? See why your outside rein is crucial to dressage horse training.Dressage horse training: How to improve your dressage scores.The April 2010 issue of Dressage Today magazine carried two articles on improving dressage test scores written by an FEI level instructor and an "S" level judge. Here are some of the golden nuggets they shared with readers.The importance of geometry at any level of dressage horse training competition. How to improve your dressage scores at Training Level. How to improve your dressage scores at First Level. How to improve your dressage scores at Second Level. How to improve your dressage scores at Third and Fourth Level. For more details on any of these tips, see the full articles by Janet Foy and Hilary Moore in the April 2010 issue of Dressage Today. Take them to heart, and see the improvement in your riding and your scores at your next dressage show!
Horse training: You’ve heard top dressage competitors talk about the vital importance of having “stretchy, elastic contact”.Wonder whether that’s what you’ve got when you ride your dressage test? Here are some exercises for testing your contact.Do you longe your horse to "get the edge off" before riding? You could be doing more harm than good.Here is a novel way of longeing that will save a lot of wear and tear on your horse's mouth, joints, and ligaments.No matter what level of riding expertise you've achieved, this situation can put an end to your desire to ride.Don't let it happen to you.Return to successful horse training and care from dressage. |
