Comments on: Dressage riders–what breed of horse do you own and how long have you been doing dressage?

By: Lusitano

Lusitano — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:49:59 +0000

Hi! I have a lusitano and started learning dressage 17 years ago. 4 years ago, I switched to classical dressage, which is a much lighter way to ride. the basics of bother are the same.

Dressage helps you to feel and look as one with your horse. s you get better at it, it seems every muscle in your body influences the horse’s movements. It looks amazing and feels even more so to eventually have your horse responding to the tiniest moment of a finger or shift of your weight. You will feel like the horse is reading your thoughts and you his! I’m disabled and unable to use my legs. Yet, I can ask my horse to do a shoulder in, Piaffe, or pirouette with just my seat, weight and squeeze on my hand. f not for this, I’d be unable to ride anymore.

Then there is the benefit to your horse. He’ll learn to listen to you and respond to your body movements. He will use his hind end and back better and learn to carry himself round with just the lightest contact. done correctly, harsh bits, spurs, and whips will be used less and less. This can lead to a healthier and happier horse and rider.

I also do trail riding, trail classes (speed with jumps and precision), and am starting Doma Vaquera riding. I apply all of my dressage training to enhance my horse’s performance here. When I could still use my legs and stirrups, I used my dressage help with jumping. I see these same principals used for many good western rides too. We’re all coming together in our riding foundations, it’s great! )

I hope this helps…
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By: PH

PH — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:31:59 +0000

I’ve been attempting it for about 2 years on a morgan x haflinger pony.

Woot USDF adult pony dressage!

Benefits are getting into that space where you and your horse are so in synch you can think and they will move.
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By: Dallas

Dallas — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:46:59 +0000

Effortless Communication?
I am sorry, I am not a dressage rider I primarily ride in the Jumpers / Stadium and have in the past done some eventing….but I cant help but comment bc of Bailey’s answer when she said "its great to learn if youre looking for effortless communication" – I sure hope you didnt mean that to say that dressage is a dicipline that doesnt require effort bc my friend, you are obviously confused if this is the case. (and my appologies if its not…and Iam misinterpreting but thats what it sounds like…)Dressage (having taken lessons and done numerous clinics for knowledgs) is VERY complex and is far from being effortless than anything else. It takes ALOT of effort to develop a complex communication with your horse and to develop a solid seat on the flat. Geesh. I have total respect for ALL you dressage riders! It’s a great dicipline to learn, if you can master your flat, fences are easy and so are alot of things….your seat is everything in any dicipline and it definatley teaches a great communication skills with your and your equine partner!

Definatley give it a shot, it cant help to educate your riding in every dicipline you can get your hands on!
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Competitive Rider – Trainer – Coach

By: BAAW

BAAW — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:05:59 +0000

I have a Moriesian (Morgan cross Friesian) and I mainly do Dressage with him. Dressage is about the horse and rider being one. It is very tough training if you are in competition but it definitely pays off even if you don’t win every time. I have been doing Dressage for only about one year total and I have done it on about three different breeds of horses and I would say the best I have ridden is the Haflinger Pony and Moriesian. You must know the basics of English riding before you try Dressage though or you will be lost. You learn what the different types of the gaits are, leads, diagonal, post positioning, seat, and much much more. It even looks beautiful which is one thing you don’t get with all equestrian sports. Please watch this video..It gives you the inside scoop on Dressage and what it takes-http://www.our4.com/rachael/clips/2004/Dressage.mpg
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Horse Owner.Trainer

By: sarahc

sarahc — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:21:59 +0000

I have a Trakhena x Oldenburg gelding I bought him purposely to do dressage and showing ( maybe some jumping!) I have been riding for 22 years now (I started riding as soon as I could sit up by myself). I have done dressage on and off over the years mainly competing other peoples horses with sucess. It is very very helpfull with jumping and I enjoy learning new tricky stuff. My horse who is very young and green will be put through his paces soon when I start my lessons!
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By: LeAnne12

LeAnne12 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:04:59 +0000

You definitely won’t regret exploring the discipline of dressage. You might not love it, it might not be for you, but the skills of basic dressage can be used in, and increase your skill in, EVERY other riding discipline. I just can’t recommend enough connecting with a good dressage instructor and giving it a go for a few months.

You can have fun- and even win- doing dressage with absolutely any breed. Warmbloods dominate at the upper levels, but starting out there is absolutely no reason to go out and mortgage your house for a warmblood. Any breed, with enough training, can be competitive up to 2nd or 3rd level (which will take a new dressage rider YEARS to be ready to ride anyway) Dressage is all about the process, not winning, anyway.

I have been riding 2.5 years on a Bashkir Curly (my farm: http://www.curlyfarm.com ) we’ve been scoring in the mid and upper 60’s in Training level tests this fall and are aiming for 1st level next year. I LOVE riding my rare breed in dressage and wouldn’t trade for any other breed!
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By: dressage.rider

dressage.rider — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:31:59 +0000

I’ve been riding and training dressage for 35 years. The benefits are the complete understanding for movement that you gain in training in this discipline. You understand balance and movement, when to cue based on leg positions, and the theory of movement, the building blocks to acheive all movements, etc. It is an art…and unbelivably exciting when you master a movement.

I have Percherons but have shown and trained just about everything.
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By: Bailey

Bailey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:43:59 +0000

dressage is great to learn if you are looking for effortless communication with your horse. it teaches better balance, stamina, bending/ flexing, and stopping/going on a dime. to try to sum it up. i own a mixed breed gelding, i don't show. good luck
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By: sunclassique

sunclassique — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:55:59 +0000

I have a 5 year old Thoroughbred who I have just started doing some dressage lessons with to help him with his jumping. We have no plans to show in dressage but I wanted to help him be more balanced and engage his hindquarters as well as build muscle and strength.
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By: music_love_beau

music_love_beau — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:34:59 +0000

i own a TB gelding..and I’ve been riding horses for -6 years, but dressage for only 6 mo. it is DEFINITELY worth learning, you get a much better connection with your horse, and you learn how horses work and what you need to do in order to get them to be their best. also, it is extremely helpful for jumping, or even hunters or pleasure. you learn how to work WITH your horse, instead of against him/her.

Ive honestly decided that learning English pleasure and dressage were the two best styles I’ve learned
[and Ive done hunter/jumper, western pleasure, English pleasure, and now 3 day.]

i would say try it out and see if you like it! it seems really hard at first but after a few weeks you get an idea of whats going on and its alot easier!
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