I am buying a new dressage pony, and I was wondering what I needed. Grooming, Tack, Showing, etc.
I do not have any of the tack for anything, or grooming supplies, etc. I do have an instructor though.
Ask this in the horse section.
Also, do you have anything currently? Or were you looking for specific items you would need for a dressage horse that you might not need for another discipline?
Otherwise, the tack is different, but dressage doesn’t require you to purchase a whole new box of grooming supplies, etc. If you’ve done hunter/jumper, then you have what you need for lower-level dressage. You can use an all purpose saddle and regular bridle. You need a snaffle bit if you don’t already have one. For showing, you need light colored breaches and a dark coat. But you aren’t required to wear white breaches and the black dressage coat until much, much higher in the levels. Your tack can be brown or black. The biggest thing is just to have a clean, well turned out, look when you enter the ring. There is no need to go out and purchase all new tack, grooming supplies, etc in order to do well in dressage at the lower levels (assuming you already ride english).
The only thing you do need, and absolutely cannot do without, is a good dressage trainer. This is paramount for your enjoyment and showing success. A hunter/jumper instructor can do adequately in teaching some basics, but to really set yourself up for success for the long term, get a good dressage instructor and stick with her/him. If you’re in the US, you can find certified instructors on the USDF website. You can also go to dressage shows and talk to the riders who are winning. Ask them who their trainers are. Or ask in dressage forums for recommendations on trainers in your area. Always go watch the trainer give lessons a few times before choosing to train with them. Go watch a few trainers train, and then decide which one best suits your learning skills and personality.
Ride and have fun! That’s ultimately what it’s all about.
January 15th, 2012 at 3:11 am
Ask this in the horse section.
Also, do you have anything currently? Or were you looking for specific items you would need for a dressage horse that you might not need for another discipline?
Otherwise, the tack is different, but dressage doesn’t require you to purchase a whole new box of grooming supplies, etc. If you’ve done hunter/jumper, then you have what you need for lower-level dressage. You can use an all purpose saddle and regular bridle. You need a snaffle bit if you don’t already have one. For showing, you need light colored breaches and a dark coat. But you aren’t required to wear white breaches and the black dressage coat until much, much higher in the levels. Your tack can be brown or black. The biggest thing is just to have a clean, well turned out, look when you enter the ring. There is no need to go out and purchase all new tack, grooming supplies, etc in order to do well in dressage at the lower levels (assuming you already ride english).
The only thing you do need, and absolutely cannot do without, is a good dressage trainer. This is paramount for your enjoyment and showing success. A hunter/jumper instructor can do adequately in teaching some basics, but to really set yourself up for success for the long term, get a good dressage instructor and stick with her/him. If you’re in the US, you can find certified instructors on the USDF website. You can also go to dressage shows and talk to the riders who are winning. Ask them who their trainers are. Or ask in dressage forums for recommendations on trainers in your area. Always go watch the trainer give lessons a few times before choosing to train with them. Go watch a few trainers train, and then decide which one best suits your learning skills and personality.
Ride and have fun! That’s ultimately what it’s all about.
References :
3rd level