That said, hunter braids (the many close spaced flat braids) are not commonly used in dressage. Flat button braids are done, but generally only 20-21 per neck. These are appropriate for a long, slender neck. It makes the neck look elegant. For a horse with a chunkier neck, the large knots are generally used for a horse with a heavier neck and well thinned mane, and only 9-10 per neck.

So the real answer is you use whatever makes your horse’s neck look the nicest! (and whichever ones you are good at doing At the bigger shows, there are usually "Braiders" available that will do nice braids for a fee of course, but sometimes it is worth it if you aren’t a great braider. Good braids make the neck; bad braids make you look like a newbie…. Please remember, NO TAIL BRAIDS!

add– a few good websites. http://www.behindthebitblog.com/2008/03/button-or-dressage-braids-how-tos-and.html
here are the sewn-in knots. http://www.eques.com.au/howto/plait.index92/plait.index92.html (not as hard as it would seem, and they look fabulous!) more knots http://www.dressage-connection.com/dressage-braid-article.html

Good conformation, no matter how early
How he takes to you when you meet him, ask if you can catch him.
Look at their personality, their body movement. How do they react when you touch them in different places. Look at ears, eyes, legs, and tail for any signs of annoyance.
Get one that you bond with!!

Anyway, my grans best friend fell of her horse and got paralyzed for 6 months and my gran being the anxious women she is begged my parents not to let me ride anymore.

I gave up but now I’m 17 I’ve recently started again. But trust me, i remember NOTHING from when I rode when I was younger.

Anyway, I’ve been in the beginners group lessons and it’s all been okay. I’ve been doing the rising trot and I don’t have very good control over the horses but I have enough to feel safe. They tend to just copy whoever’s infront, however whenever I have to go infront my horse always tries to be reluctant as if I can’t lead them well at the front.

However, I’m going on holiday for 2 weeks which means I’d miss both lessons so instead I had an hour private. IT WAS THE LESSON FROM HELL.

This horse would not obey me at ALL. It just did what it wanted and went where it wanted no matter what I tried. The instructor was also getting frustrated however she was saying it was the way I was riding the horse didn’t see me as an authority- which I understand. But I thought somehow I would be able to learn how to be an authority but as the lesson progressed the situation got worse and worse.

We went to trot and the horse started galloping ON PURPOSE (It new exactly that I could not do that) and I went flying of the front off it.

The instructor made me get straight back on even though I was extremely reluctant. However, after this moment the horse was still extremely reluctant and galloped a couple more times (however I held on these times for dear life.)

I’m just absoloutely terrified to get on a horse again. Not so much because I’m bruised etc but because I’ve never felt so not in control in my life. This horse didn’t listen to me at all, like at all. I’m starting to think I’m just not cut out to be a rider because what rider’s horse goes left or right whenever it wants and gallops when i wanted a trot.

And apparently somebody took him out after me and he was absoloutely good as gold for her. That’s why I’m taking it really personally in that I’m a rubbish rider because it was specifically me he didn’t like at all.

The instructor even attached a lunge line to him at one point and he still did what he wanted.

Do you think I should just drop horse riding alltogether? Honestly? Because right now horses only obey me when we’re in groups because they just copy everybody elses horses.

It’s really upsetting me because when I did ride well I loved it- but now I’m terrified and my grans story has come right back into my head.

You cannot continue to allow your horse to take his cue from other horses. All his cues should come from you. Horses can sense when their riders are unsure of themselves. They will take advantage, they are like over-grown children.

If you don’t have full control of the horse in the trot and the horse breaks into a canter stop the horse. Then start again in the walk and work up to the trot. Each time the horse attempts to canter stop the horse. Ask your instructor to teach you the emergency stop in case the horse refuses to stop.

Once you have full control in the walk, trot. Once you have full control in the trot, canter. The day will come when you are completely in control and you will run your horse.

If you want to ride you are going to fall. Wear your safety equipment, be smart about where you ride and how you ride. Have fun, be safe.

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.

Thank You )

Newnham Equestrian Centre is on the edge of the Forest of Dean – website with all the info www.newnhamec.co.uk

and the last part of my question from what im looking at horses have breeds? and some are just mixed? am I wrong?

For a safe horse for a beginner you really need to be looking to pay £2,500 or more. This will depend on the size and breed required. Every horse has a breed even if it is of mixed breeding. Certain breeds have more tendancy to make good or bad starter horses.