Dressage

In the modern world, dressage has two correct meanings:

• Literally translated from French as "training", dressage is the basic schooling of every riding horse. Under the guise of "flat work", it is what hunter/jumper trainers do with their horses when they are not schooling over fences.
• A type of rapidly growing competition, open to virtually every kind and size of horse and any age of rider.

In dressage training, the natural movements a horse can make on his own, free in the pasture, are repeated as exercises. These range from simple patterns and circles at the walk, trot and canter to movements in extreme collection, such as the piaffe.

Obedience, balance, sensitivity to light prompts, and the ability to respond calmly and quickly to its rider's commands are important elements of the training of a horse for dressage.

The idea is to gradually enable the horse to carry more of his own and his rider's weight over his hindquarters than over his forehand. This mobilizing and strengthening of the hindquarters (which provide the motive power as if the horse had rear wheel drive) results in lightening of the forehand and a horse that is much easier to steer and to stop. It is a matter of physics; the horse's immense strength becomes more available to him as he uses himself more efficiently. Because of the obedience required in the exercises, this strength is also instantly available to the rider.

Today's horses perform in many diverse activities. But no matter what type of task a horse is asked to perform, the qualities it has learned or has not learned, in its basic training will affect whether it is enjoyable and rewarding to ride.  Dressage training methods develop the horse without force or devices, utilizing what we know of the nature and structure of the horse.

Dressage is not "magic." Through learning how, when and why to apply specific training exercises, you can make dressage work for you. You may even become fascinated with this line of equestrian study and choose to pursue it with tack and equipment to match.

A gradual, logical system of strengthening and suppling exercises, dressage may seem to belong only in the white-fenced arenas at dressage competitions. Yet, the aim of dressage is to develop the ability, suppleness and obedience of the horse -- qualities desired in any horse, no matter what its eventual use will be.

This is why riders in all segments of equestrian sport often turn to dressage for the foundation on which to build a cooperative and responsive mount. As an additional bonus, riders discover that many conformation flaws can be compensated for through the training exercises used in dressage.

Dressage training produces a mount that is relaxed, flexible, and willing, with a desirable head position, ready to step into the specialized training for any equestrian sport.  With a dressage-trained horse you can more easily develop a slow jog trot, or increase the pace all the way up to extended gaits. If jumping is your sport, you will find it easier to shorten or lengthen strides between fences or ride a tight turn or distance.

All methods of training use weight, rein and leg aids, and dressage is no different. A horse that is taught to neck rein after having dressage basics will have less tendency to ignore the rein or fall in on turns. Many riders are surprised how much more quickly their horses learn using dressage work and principles.

In addition, dressage develops relaxation and communication between the horse and rider so the horse can respond to light cues, is safe and a pleasure to ride, while retaining its spirit and natural brilliance. Through dressage, the horse becomes an athlete that can fluidly shift its balance and pace.

There is a great deal of discipline to dressage, but there is also great satisfaction in noting the progress you and your horse make as a team. Whether your horse will become a pleasure mount, a working horse, or a competitor in the dressage arena, it will benefit tremendously from a basic background in dressage. Additionally, learning to perform dressage exercises correctly will also improve your seat, coordination, and feel as a rider.

Examples of basic-level exercises include figures such as serpentines and circles, movements such as lateral movements (sideways), and transitions such as trot to halt, or walk to canter. These exercises can be used to start a young horse or to retrain an older one, and can be used by riders primarily interested in other equestrian sports, such as western riding.

As the horse and rider progress, more difficult gymnastic exercises are introduced into their training program. As a result, the advanced horse becomes an athlete, developing strength, flexibility, and the ability to perform collected and extended gaits with lightness and brilliance. This performance of grace and athleticism is beautiful to witness when the horse and rider work in harmony. The gradual, logical progression of the gymnastic exercises not only leads to an obedient, balanced mount, but it also improves the seat, coordination, and feel of the rider. The rider communicates with the horse with a subtle shifting of his weight, the right amount of leg pressure, and specific subtle signals to the horse's mouth through the reins. To ride in harmony with the horse, the rider must follow the horse's movement with the seat and back, yet maintain elegant upright posture and quiet, independent legs and hands.

Developing these exacting skills is a never-ending challenge that requires self-discipline. Dressage is not a "quick fix" approach to training, but a means for building a solid foundation which will cause the horse to be strong, supple, and a pleasure to ride.

Why is dressage useful to me?

• Dressage is, at the lower levels, the "basic training" of the equestrian world. No matter what discipline you ride - western, hunter, CT, saddleseat, even racers - you and your horse can benefit from Dressage.
• For riders, dressage teaches subtleness, or being "soft" and "light". Position is emphasized, and with out relaxation you will not progress in anything.
• For horses, dressage builds up back muscles. It too teaches subtleness, but also teaches the horse to become sensitive to his riders' aids and gets them to come back onto their haunches, the most powerful part of the horse, which aids in everything - jumping, racing barrels, saddleseat, etc.

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