I want to learn Dressage?

I ride dressage, currently training Third. Dressage is built on a foundation of theories on how to develop the best athleticism in a horse. There is a ton of theory involved. If you don't understand and study the theory, you won't be successful with dressage.

I would suggest checking out training articles from Jane Savoie http://www.janesavoie.com/

Jane Savoie YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/janesavoie/videos

You can also find videos on beginning youngsters on USDF's youtube account at https://www.youtube.com/user/USDFORG

I find this site is helpful in explaining the concepts of dressage, along with movements and the aids for each movement. http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/lessonlis...

(a little dry, but totally worth reading)

Once your mare can turn and stop a little better, then the first thing you want to focus on is rhythm. If the mare is walking, then the walk beats should fall at the same interval (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1.. etc) Sometimes instructors will put us to a metronome and task us with keeping the horse's footfalls at the same beat as the metronome. On a green horse, I sometimes have to actually speak the rhythm in order to keep it steady. Which means I'm trotting around saying "Ooonneee, Twwwwwoooo, Ooonnnneeee, Twwwwwoooo" over and over until I feel the horse is keeping the same rhythm (I determine the rhythm with my seat, either through posting slower, or posting higher, or inhibiting forward by stilling my seat, etc).

Keeping the same rhythm helps the horse to achieve the second goal of relaxation.

Once you have those two things relatively sorted out, you can start to work on connection. You want to be able to feel the horse through the reins. The point being that if the reins are loose, or there are gaps in contact, then you risk bumping the horse in the mouth and causing her to resist. The contact should be elastic, your elbows and forearms relaxed and following the horse's movement at all times. The horse should follow the bit, meaning if you move your hands forward up the neck, then the horse would stretch her neck out and possibly down to seek the contact with the bit. Make sure to never bump her in the mouth, or use any harsh corrective measures with the bit. The bit should be something she feels safe with, and trusts.

The training pyramid is a good symbol to use in training. Read up on what each of the levels means. Also, although it's represented as a pyramid, the concepts are more like a doughnut. You will need a little of everything during every ride, but the main two points are rhythm and relaxation. Without those two you can't get to the rest.

Also, download the Intro Level and Training Level tests. Those can help you understand what to work on as you begin. The top of the sheet tells you what is expected from the horse/rider during the test (called a directive). Read the whole sheet, not just the movement portion.

Never pull back on the reins. Everything is done through the seat. You can close your fists on the reins, still your seat, and close your thighs to stop a horse... but don't pull back (optimally don't pull back, obviously on a green bean you may have to until she understands the aids better).

Most important... have fun. Don't get discouraged, and when possible either audit a lesson or take one yourself. I find dressage too difficult to do on my own so I use a trainer. I can't really afford her, but it's been so invaluable to have that I am happy to give up whatever I need to in order to afford the lessons.

Oh, and dressage is awesome. I started western, moved to HJ's, and landed on dressage. I love it!

** MistyTheRescue - It is NEVER ever, NEVER, about the head. NEVER. I cannot stress this enough. Collection is NEVER about the head. The head has nothing to do with collection. Do not focus on the head. No one cares about the head. THe head is a byproduct of correct training.

The placement of the head is a result of the shape the body takes with correct training. When the horse's hind legs start to come under and the back lifts it causes the neck to arch and at that point the head falls naturally into a more vertical position. You do not have collection simply because of a head set.

It's awesome you want to start Dressage! (:

I'm a Dressage rider and I also bought a rescue mare, though we're now past the hard times it seems you and your mare are currently in. This WILL pass, don't worry!

As for Dressage, we have levels.

Basic levels: Intro Level, Training Level, and First Level

Intermediate levels: Second Level, Third Level, and Fourth Level

FEI levels: Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, and Grand Prix

You will likely not go past First Level, and it will be hard to get to First Level. Unless you are an impeccable rider and your horse has A+ conformation, modern Dressage movement, and money value...It's near impossible to get to the Intermediate levels.

Our gaits are also more intricate than simple walk, trot, and canter.

We have free walk, medium walk, working trot, extended trot, and working canter. There may even be more but me and my mare are only in Intro Level :p

The biggest part of Dressage is easily collection. We also call this "being on the vertical" and "frame". Collection is when a horse's nose is pointing straight down at the ground, they are moving under themselves, and their backs are no longer hollow.

To collect a horse (at least this is how I do it), you must use your inside rein and encourage their hind end with your legs (squeeze their barrel gently in an almost upwards motion).

A lot of Dressage riders keep their horses on a tighter rein than jockeys. Don't be like this, please. If my horse can't do everything I ask of her on a loose rein, something is missing. I would never show a horse that couldn't w/t/c/ on a loose rein. It's stupid.

Any specific questions? (:

I'm not trying to be rude, but I honestly think dressage isn't something that can be self taught. I speak from experience. I was very much like you. Started riding western and bareback at a young age. Thought English would be a piece of cake, but I was so wrong. There is so much to learn, things you wouldn't even think of and much more than I can say here. One thing you do have that I didn't, though, is the internet. I'm sure you can learn quite a bit from watching youtubes, but certainly not everything.

I'm sorry to say this but..

It's very hard to self-teach you for free. You will either have to hire a trainer or buy DVD's

Get a trainer. It's the best solution. Once or twice a month is enough for what you wish to learn. As often as you can afford, doesn't matter. Make sure it is a GOOD trainer, otherwise you're going to waste your money. Preferably contact a friend who rides english to recommend a trainer. Good luck c:

Start by studying the basic dressage pyramid. (Included.) It is ALL about having the perfect sync between you and your horse, and your horse being your willing partner. (My horse isn't the best about that, haha!!) Work on sitting straight, your ears, hips, shoulders, and heels should line up vertically. Your toes should be forward. The commands are basically the same, just use direct rein instead of neck reining. So, to bend to the left, (for instance) bend your horse's neck ever so slightly to the left (just so you can see their eye, and move your right leg back, and your left leg stays at the girth and vice versa to the right. I study Jane Savoie on youtube... for someone who is just starting such as you, you probably will find her videos useful!! You can also find my page on, facebook, natural horsemanship by Jordan, and i will answer your questions to the best of my ability. (Just in case her videos are a bit too advanced :)