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Young Horse Dressage Training

101 Dressage Exercises Book $30 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider features a full arena diagram and step-by- step instructions for each exercise. The exercises address all levels of riders, starting with the basics and moving up the levels. Training tips and masterly guidance make this an indispensable reference for all dressage riders. Even Western riders interested in enhancing their performance will find these foundational exercises useful.

Professionals Choice SMX Dressage Girth $55.95 Perfect in form and function, the SMx Dressage Girth is practical with elastic and roller buckles on both ends. More comfortable for your horse than traditional leather because it doesnt have to be over-tightened. The non-slip neoprene ensures that your saddle will stay secure and the handy detachable neoprene back makes it easy to wash. Great for training or competition. Available in Black only.

Ovation Dressage Tee $13 Features the dressage-discipline horse logo print. Made of cotton/spandex jersey.

Gift Corral Thermometer Horse Training $11.95 Thermometer Horse Training

Miniature Horse Nylon Training Surcingle – Brown – Miniature Horse 40.5-53.5 $24.9 Finally a training surcingle small enough for the Mini’s! This classic training aid is constructed of durable Nylon webbing w/ Felt padding. Nickel plated Dees correctly positioned for maximum equipment attachment possibilities. Girth adjusts on both sides. A must have item for any training or lesson barn. Great way to start the young Mini or give a tune up to a seasoned veteran.Color: BrownSize:  Miniature Horse 40.5-53.5

(2011 Model) Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle with Flock $1377.1 Experience the world’s leading dressage saddle, the Bates Isabell, in a synthetic version with the added benefits of being lightweight, durable, easy-care and an amazing value for the money. World renowned Dressage Rider, Isabell Werth’s high performance saddle.My saddle is one of the proudest achievements of my dressage career. I believe we have created the perfect seat for the rider and unprecedented comfort for the horse. Isabell WerthFeatures: Supports a correct dressage position with an ultra narrow waist and deep seatA seamless transition from your seat through the length of your leg offers ultra close contactIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityIncludes an adjustable Y-Girthing and Flexibloc SystemThe Isabell saddle is also available in BatesFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

(2011 Model) Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle with CAIR $1377.1 Experience the world’s leading dressage saddle, the Bates Isabell, in a synthetic version with the added benefits of being lightweight, durable, easy-care and an amazing value for the money. World renowned Dressage Rider, Isabell Werth’s high performance saddle.My saddle is one of the proudest achievements of my dressage career. I believe we have created the perfect seat for the rider and unprecedented comfort for the horse. Isabell WerthFeatures: Supports a correct dressage position with an ultra narrow waist and deep seatA seamless transition from your seat through the length of your leg offers ultra close contactIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityIncludes an adjustable Y-Girthing and Flexibloc SystemThe Isabell saddle is also available in BatesFluidly working with your horse’s muscles, the revolutionary CAIR Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air. The cushioning nature of air encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage. Seated closer to your horse, you become simply an extension of one another.Features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

(2011 Model) Wintec Pro Dressage with Countourbloc Saddle with Flock $947.8 The new Wintec Pro Dressage with Contourbloc achieves unprecedented comfort while supporting a correct and secure dressage position. The saddle features an ultra narrow waist enabling greater communication and contact. The Contourbloc further enhances confidence and security.A cutting edge, dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresRevolutionary Contourbloc, offers exceptional support and stabilityIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between horse and riderPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing systemFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

Mountain Horse Victoria Dressage Boot $287.1 Exceptional craftsmanship makes the Victoria Dressage Boot stand out from the rest. Designed specifically for the serious dressage rider, the zipper is thoughtfully positioned forward of center on the inside of the boot, allowing seamless contact between your leg and your horse, while still maintaining a streamlined silhouette. An elegant dress boot with classic features and made in supple, full grain leather.THE LEG: Moderate Spanish cut topSoft pigskin napa liningStrong and durable full length YKK Vislon zipper on front, inside calfCovered, inside elastic gusset for a comfortable fitTHE FOOT: Spur restErgonomically-designed removable EVA insoleTHE SOLE: Built-in steel shank for increased stabilityDurable and slim-contour designed outsole has dirt repellent tread zones and provides an enhanced grip in the ironMaterial: Full grain leather.Lining: Pigskin napa.

Da Vinci Plain Raised Padded Dressage Browband $20.95 DaVinci Plain Raised Padded Dressage Browband Black Horse Size

(2011 Model) Wintec Pony Pro Dressage Saddle with Flock – Black – 16 $850.6 The new Wintec Pro Pony Dressage Saddle is anatomically designed for the young rider and pony, ensuring a secure and correct position. Equisuede provides the perfect level of grip for added confidence.A cutting edge Pony dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between young rider and ponyPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing system and flexibloc systemFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAMColor: BlackSize:  16

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle with CAIR $1299 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! Experience the world’s leading dressage saddle, the Bates Isabell, in a synthetic version with the added benefits of being lightweight, durable, easy-care and an amazing value for the money. World renowned Dressage Rider, Isabell Werth’s high performance saddle.My saddle is one of the proudest achievements of my dressage career. I believe we have created the perfect seat for the rider and unprecedented comfort for the horse. Isabell WerthFeatures: Supports a correct dressage position with an ultra narrow waist and deep seatA seamless transition from your seat through the length of your leg offers ultra close contactIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityIncludes an adjustable Y-Girthing and Flexibloc SystemThe Isabell saddle is also available in BatesFluidly working with your horse’s muscles, the revolutionary CAIR Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air. The cushioning nature of air encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage. Seated closer to your horse, you become simply an extension of one another.Features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

Veredus Piaffe Shield Dressage Horse Boot $204.2 Revolutionary overreach boot designed for protection of the whole heel area. Designed specifically for Dressage. The particular anatomic shape and protective material gurantees a perfect fit on the horse’s heel to give total protection.Anatomically designed protection in an elastic material that conforms perfectly to the horse’s foot, therefore eliminating rotation of the overreach boot itself.Extra carbon protection on heel area, which is at particular risk of injury and bruising.Double point fastening to ensure perfect fitting.Quick-release tips in non-deformable FLEXTAN on stainless-steel hooks.

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle with Cair $799 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! The new Wintec Pro Dressage achieves unprecedented comfort while supporting a correct and secure dressage position. Feature an ultra narrow waist enabling greater communication and contact between you and your horse.A cutting edge dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between horse and riderPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing system and flexibloc systemFluidly working with your horse’s muscles, the revolutionary CAIR Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air. The cushioning nature of air encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage. Seated closer to your horse, you become simply an extension of one another.Features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

Passier PSL-D Dressage $4719.95 PASSIER PSL Dressage Saddle PASSIER PSL Dressage Saddle: Classic dressage saddle featuring long stretch leather knee panels on flaps and stretch leather seat. This unique stretch leather expands and molds to the rider’s seat and knee providing extra comfort and a self-conforming fit not available in any other saddle. The flexible cutback PASSIER PS tree fits perfectly on the dressage horse. Long billets prepunched for conversion to short billets for long girth if required. Smooth grain German leather. Regular tree width. Fittings not included with Saddle.

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Pro Dressage with Countourbloc Saddle with Cair $889 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! The new Wintec Pro Dressage with Contourbloc achieves unprecedented comfort while supporting a correct and secure dressage position. The saddle features an ultra narrow waist enabling greater communication and contact. The Contourbloc further enhances confidence and security.A cutting edge, dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresRevolutionary Contourbloc, offers exceptional support and stabilityIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between horse and riderPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing systemFluidly working with your horse’s muscles, the revolutionary CAIR Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air. The cushioning nature of air encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage. Seated closer to your horse, you become simply an extension of one another.Features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle with Flock $1299 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! Experience the world’s leading dressage saddle, the Bates Isabell, in a synthetic version with the added benefits of being lightweight, durable, easy-care and an amazing value for the money. World renowned Dressage Rider, Isabell Werth’s high performance saddle.My saddle is one of the proudest achievements of my dressage career. I believe we have created the perfect seat for the rider and unprecedented comfort for the horse. Isabell WerthFeatures: Supports a correct dressage position with an ultra narrow waist and deep seatA seamless transition from your seat through the length of your leg offers ultra close contactIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityIncludes an adjustable Y-Girthing and Flexibloc SystemThe Isabell saddle is also available in BatesFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

Wintec Elastic Dressage Girth $41.25 Two inches of elastic in the center of the this high performance dressage girth allow it to stretch with the horse as you work. Pressure is evenly transferred over the whole surface of the girth with no pressure points or ridges. Elimination of pressure points combined with soft anti galling material makes the Wintec Elastic Dressage Girth one of the most comfortable girths on the market. Girth has stainless steel roller buckles.

(2011 Model) Wintec Pony Pro Dressage Saddle with Cair – Black – 16 $907.3 The new Wintec Pro Pony Dressage Saddle is anatomically designed for the young rider and pony, ensuring a secure and correct position. Equisuede provides the perfect level of grip for added confidence.A cutting edge Pony dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between young rider and ponyPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing system and flexibloc systemFluidly working with your pony’s muscles, the revolutionary CAIR Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air. The cushioning nature of air encourages your pony to soften, relax and engage. Seated closer to your pony, you become simply an extension of one another.Features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about ourTEST RIDE PROGRAMColor: BlackSize:  16

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle with Flock $749 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! The new Wintec Pro Dressage achieves unprecedented comfort while supporting a correct and secure dressage position. Feature an ultra narrow waist enabling greater communication and contact between you and your horse.A cutting edge dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between horse and riderPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing system and flexibloc systemFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

Tom Thumb Training – Chrome – 5 $5.75 Tom thumb chrome plated training bit, start your young horse in confidence, snaffle mouth with 6 1/4 cheeks, 5 mouthpiece.Color: ChromeSize:  5

Saf-T-Tie for Training, Tying, Trailoring $20.4 The safe method for training, tying, and trailoring your horse. Very effective for hard to tie horses and breaking a young horse to tie. Round solid rubber strap with solid snaps on each end. Heavy-duty elastic tie.

(NEW 2012 MODEL) Wintec Pro Dressage with Countourbloc Saddle with Flock $839 Click either Logo To Learn More and Watch Videos! The new Wintec Pro Dressage with Contourbloc achieves unprecedented comfort while supporting a correct and secure dressage position. The saddle features an ultra narrow waist enabling greater communication and contact. The Contourbloc further enhances confidence and security.A cutting edge, dressage saddle that includes top performance featuresRevolutionary Contourbloc, offers exceptional support and stabilityIdeal for use in all levels of competition and trainingFacilitates a well balanced position and contact between horse and riderPerformance materials ensure superior fit, comfort and stabilityFeatures include adjustable Y girthing systemFeatures the EASY-CHANGE Gullet system for a custom fit. Saddle comes with medium width gullet – other gullets sold separately.Ask about our TEST RIDE PROGRAM

TuffRider Dressage Show Coat Ladies $86 Your ladies Dressage show coat will keep you looking polished in the arena with 4 silver, antique horse head front buttons and a rear, two-button vent. Dry clean. 94% Polyester, 6% Lycra.

Puff Pad Dressage Style $24 Puff Pad Pillow Pads. Authentic Pillow Pad. Soft, pillow pad, top and bottom 100% cotton with thick poly fiber filler. A Puff Pad disperses pressure points, preventing many back problems. All horses benefit from the cushioning effect of a Puff Pad because the fiber filling acts as a shock absorber, breathes absorbing and evaporating moisture, molds to every horse and saddle. No straps. Dressage Pillow Pad. Larger 25 x 40 size for longer flap dressage saddles.

Bates Wide Dressage Cair Saddle $1845 The Bates Wide Dressage Saddle is acutting edge dressage saddle specially designed for the wider horse that supports an optimal dressage position for the rider with unparalleled comfort. It achives unprecedented comfort for the rider, supporting and optimal dressage position.Features include uniquely positioned stirrup bar, utilisation of the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System WIDE, adjustable Y-Girthing and Flexibloc Systems.CAIR Cushion system distributes weight across the panel, virtually eliminating pressure points for better performance and freer movement of horseNew Generation Easy-Change Gullet System Wide helps customize saddle fit to your horse’s wither

Wintec Chafeless Elastic Dressage Girth $47.3 This girth has all the advantages of the original elastic girth but with the addition of a curved shape, which reduces the width of material behind the horse’s elbows helping to prevent pinching of the horse’s skin. The equisuede surface of the Pro Elastic Girth looks and performs stunningly when used to complement the Wintec Pro Dressage or Wintec Isabell saddles.

COLLEGIATE Convertible Intellect Dressage Saddle $1097.95 Great quality craftsmanship made from a great company. This dressage saddle will make you and your horse feel at home in both style and comfort. Elegantly designed saddle suitable for all levels of dressage. Features a deep seat, large flaps, large knee rolls, plus the Easy-Change Gullet System (sold separatly) to provide the best fit for your horse.

Equi-Bette PTD Dressage Saddle $715.95 EQUI-BETTE Model PTD Dressage Saddle EQUI-BETTE Model PTD Dressage Saddle: A classic saddle. The EQUI-BETTE PTD dressage saddle style has been a favorite of world renowned professionals and competitors for generations. The EQUI-BETTE PTD dressage saddle features a cutback head to fit every type of horse. The deep EQUI-BETTE PTD tree fits both horse and rider to perfection, keeping the rider deep in the seat for correct balance and perfect control. Long extended flaps are molded over modest knee rolls on the French panels. Made of premium quality German bridle leather in a dark Brown color with a hand waxed finish.

Ovation Dressage Crank Caveson – Black – Horse $72 Made in Italian hand finished leather.           Color: BlackSize:  Horse

Metalab Colt Training Bit – Chrome Plated – 5 $22.35 Colt training bit, copper mouth, chrome plated cheeks for young intermediate horse (moderate effect)Color: Chrome PlatedSize:  5

Gold Medal Piaffe Dressage Saddle $2319.95 GOLD MEDAL Piaffe Dressage Saddle GOLD MEDAL Piaffe Dressage Saddle GOLD MEDAL Saddlery has taken the similar design of the popular COUNTY COMPETITOR and Crosby Prix St. George dressage saddles and improved and refined the saddle to a superior high level dressage saddle. The Piaffe is made on a deep seat beechwood laminated spring-tree with narrow twist to put the rider into the seat and give close contact with the horse. A genuine pigskin seat is used because of its durability over grained leather seats which stretch and wear through, thus distorting the rider’s seat. French panels are wool flocked to allow the saddle to mold to the natural conformation of the horses back for the ultimate in fit and a correct seat position. Flap and panel have been designed to promote greater closeness and contact. Long chrome leather saddle billets require a short dressage girth. Saddle flap is looped on backside for billets to restrain flap. Made in England of the finest quality oiled saddle leather.

ThinLine Dressage Bridle with Flash Noseband $242.1 ThinLine padding in the noseband and crown provides equal pressure distribution in the areas your horse needs it most to perform at his best. ThinLine’s anti-fungal feature and breathability make it the perfect lining choice to keep your horse comfortable and their skin healthy. Each dressage bridle comes with a pair of standard 54 ThinLine Reins, which are no-slip and aid in creating soft, supple contact and feel, and this combo will provide a one-two punch to increased performance and scores!

ThinLine Dressage Bridle with Plain Noseband $242.1 ThinLine padding in the noseband and crown provides equal pressure distribution in the areas your horse needs it most to perform at his best. ThinLine’s anti-fungal feature and breathability make it the perfect lining choice to keep your horse comfortable and their skin healthy. Each dressage bridle comes with a pair of standard 54 ThinLine Reins, which are no-slip and aid in creating soft, supple contact and feel, and this combo will provide a one-two punch to increased performance and scores!

What Every Horse Should Know Book $20 In Cherry Hill’s groundbreaking bestseller, How To Think Like a Horse, she took an in-depth look at how horses think, learn, respond to stimuli, and interpret human behavior. In this fascinating follow-up, What Every Horse Should Know, Hill continues her exploration of how horses learn with a focus on the key skills every horse needs to live safely, confidently, and at ease in interactions with humans. Mastering these skills is critical to bringing out the full potential of the horse-rider partnership. As Hill states in her introduction, Wild horses know everything they need to survive. They are complete. It’s when we domesticate a horse and bring him into our world that he needs to learn new things in order to adapt. What Every Horse Should Know examines the lessons that are vital for every domesticated horse, whether a trail horse, dressage or jumper, rodeo or ranch horse. The book features sections on how to train without fear, how to teach a horse to be respectful and patient, and how to do the actual work a horse needs to do. Written in clear, accessible language, accompanied by photographs, illustrations, and infographics, What Every Horse Should Know addresses all stages of a horse’s life, from foalhood to old age. Readers can choose to follow a sequential training plan for the life of their animal or start at any point in a horses’s life. There are tests for assessing the level of a horse’s knowledge, and a plan to develop individualized tests. The final section of the book provides comprehensive training program checklists showing what knowledge should be expected of a horse at any particular age. For anyone intrigued by the workings of the equine mind and seeking insights into how to enrich and strengthen the horse-human relationship, What Every Horse Should Know is a fascinating and useful reference.

Breyer WEG Games Stablemate Para Dressage – BH9122 $4.5 Palomino Para Dressage Horse. This authentically sculpted Stablemate horse represents, in miniature (1:32 scale), one of the eight disciplines of the 2010 ALLTECH FEI World Equestrian Games. Some of the bravest and most determined equestrian competitors are the riders. Often competing on borrowed horses, they overcome a variety of obstacles posed by their disabilities to compete in the Para Dressage event of the World Equestrian Games.

Metalab Stainless Steel Lightweight Training Bit $31.35 Stainless steel lightweight breaking bit, jointed mouth, 6 1/2 cheeks for young intermediate horse (moderate effect)

Ovation Airform Chafeless Dressage Girth $30.6 The award winning Easy-Care Airform girth is horse and user friendly. Cushioned and textured for air flow, it stays incredibly soft no matter how much use it gets. Can be sponged clean in seconds. Hypo-allergenic. Made with stainless steel roller buckles to extend the use of the girth straps and your hands. Keeps hold the dressage girth neatly in place.

Kingsland Ladies’ Classic Long Sleeve Dressage Show Shirt $99 Made in Technical fabric that is functional for training, the Classic Ladies’ Long Sleeves Dressage Show Shirt Comes with Long sleeves and loops on the collar.

Metalab Malleable Iron Chrome Plated Training Bit – Malleable Iron – 5 $15.15 Malleable iron training bit, chrome plated mouth, 6-1/2 cheeks for young intermediate horse (moderate effect)Color: Malleable IronSize:  5

Metalab Black Satin Training Bit – Black Satin – 5 $23.55 Black satin training bit, copper wire wrapped snaffle mouth, 5-1/2 cheeks for young intermediate horse. (Moderate effect)Color: Black SatinSize:  5

TuffRider Dressage Shadbelly $180 Elegance made affordable. Properly tailored for a superb look, made in 100% polyester with antique silver horse head buttons. Complete with vest points.

Dressage in Detail Part 3 with Dr. Reiner Klimke: The Training of the Young Horse At Elementary Level in a Double Bridle $30.00 Volume 3 of the series: Training young dressage horses at elementary level at the double bridle: the correctly buckled double bridle, getting horses used to the double bridle, work at the double bridle. Dr. Reiner Klimke was one of the most successful dressage riders worldwide. He trained his horses in accordance with the principles of classical equitation – and this is more than ever an up-to-dat…

In-Hand-Work for Young Dressage Horses DVD $49.95 Horses are like children, their ability to learn is greater in the first years of life. With his exceptional hand-saddle-hand-method, Fritz Stahlecker shows how to train movements up to advanced dressage exercises with young, only three-year-old horses….

In-Hand-Work for Young Dressage Horses, Part 1 Dvd! Fritz Stahlecker $44.95 In-Hand-Work for Young Dressage Horses, Part 1 Dvd! Fritz Stahlecker. With his exceptional hand-saddle-hand-method, Fritz Stahlecker shows how to train movements up to advanced dressage exercises with young, only three-year-old horses – gently….

Time To Ride 2: Saddles And Stables $9.56 Groom practice and pete ~ all in one great horseadventure for girls!Product InformationYour family has just moved away from the big city to a farm nestled in the vastcountryside.  Sad to have left all of your friends behind your fatherpromises you a new friend… your very own horse!  Experience all of thethrills and excitement of looking after training and racing your truststeed.  …

101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider $16.04 Dressage, the equestrian practice in which a horse makes highly precise movements in response to barely perceptible signals from the rider, has taken hold of America’s equestrians. Participation rates have risen by 200 percent over the past twenty years, as baby-boomer riders have discovered dressage to be less strenuous and dangerous than jumping, yet offering the satisfaction of mastering tech…

The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse $12.02 Everything you need to know to train a horse for dressage or high-level competition….

Basic Training of the Young Horse $18.95 The philosophy and techniques of the revered Olympic dressage champion….

How Judges Score Dressage Horses in Competition

While most dressage (a French term meaning “training”) horses are warm bloods – Holsteiners, Trahkeners, Dutch Warmbloods, and Oldenburgs – some American Quarter Horses have also been very successful in dressage competitions. Whether the intent is to participate in basic dressage competitions with your horse or you have goals of reaching international competitions or even the Olympic games, selecting the right horse for the job is important.

In the search for a good competitive dressage horse, the horse must be trained in terms of rhythm and regularity. The horse should be able to maintain a steady and regular gait whether in a pure walk, a pure trot or a pure canter, down a straight path or a winding trail.

Pay close attention to that definition and note that dressage competitions are all about the horses and not the rider; the same is the case with other elements of dressage as well. When it comes to the judge’s decisions about how to score dressage horses, it is up to the horse to perform well against its competitors.

Another factor that judges score is the relaxed and confident behavior of the horse. The evenness of the horse’s gait, a lack of tension and soft chewing of the bit, smooth transitions and a swinging of the tail demonstrate these important factors of the horse’s performance in the dressage competition.

Judges in these events also look at the contact that the riders have with their horses; dressage horses should not pull the hands of the rider and the reins should be held evenly – in other words, the horse should be able to come up into the bridle and should be carried forward in a natural motion.

Just as the pull of the dressage horse is measured, so is its push – the thrusting power that propels a horse forward with correct muscle and joint use. Part of the horse’s push is measured in the straightness of the dressage horses gait, the horse’s ability to move forward with its hind legs following the same path as its front legs.

If you are looking to acquire a dressage horse for future competition, you will want to consider the abilities and traits of the person for whom the horse is intended. While the judges critique dressage horses in competition more than the rider, it is equally important for the rider to be able to guide the horse and to lead it through the judged events. If you are naturally uneasy atop a horse, then you will want to find a horse that is very intuitive and calm. If you were really tall and lanky, you would not want to get a shorter horse, no matter how successful the horse has been in previous competitions.

If a horse being considered is champion dressage horse, then perhaps the horse will not be a good choice for little Suzie to ride, even if little Suzie wants to compete. Little Suzie is still quite young and a champion dressage horse is very expensive. Perhaps more to the point, a champion should compete regularly, rather than occasionally. Another thing to consider is the bond that will develop between little Suzie and her horse, and how Suzie’s participation in the dressage training of the horse will only add to the experience for Suzie.

In other words, when you look at dressage horses, it’s important to recognize that all breeds of horses that are used as riding horses can be trained in the techniques and principles of dressage. If you are an experienced rider who does not have a great deal of experience with dressage – or any experience within the dressage ring for that matter – you’re likely to find that the same American Quarter Horse that you’ve been riding in pasture or on the trail can learn the basics of dressage. Perhaps more importantly, you’ll find that a bit of training as a dressage horse will lead you to a more enjoyable, everyday ride.

Dressage horses are less likely to refuse to do as the rider asks and is comfortable with bit contact. The flow of motion between riders and dressage horses tends to be consistent and will exhibit a constant communication between the two. Dressage horses are balanced and better able to draw on the strength of their hind legs, and have experience keeping a steady pace whether walking, trotting or cantering.

When, as a rider, you are able to focus more on the ride than on controlling your horse, you’ll take more pleasure in each outing that you make. Dressage horses – or, at the very least, horses that have had some experience with dressage – make great horses for kids and less experienced riders: while the rider remains in control, dressage horses are responsive, and that can have a huge impact on the pleasure of riding a horse.

About the Author

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Dressage Barns in Wyoming?

I may be moving to wyoming to be closer to my dad and his work. Are there ANY dressage barns there? I will need lessons and most likely training for a young horse.
have tried google

There must be! There are some almost everywhere! I would just type it in on google. “dressage Wyoming” or Dressage barn in Wyoming” or something like that and you should find what you are looking for!