Dressage

[bookahhorselover567]

Hi there, I’ve just got a new horse and he’s been out of work for ages and I’ve spent the last year bringing him back into work. I’m not ready to start something more rigid and challenging. I’m quite into dressage. I’ve had lessons on dressage horses but have never trained myself.
im not able to get a trainer in which is my struggle. In the future he isn’t likely to go anywhere else and I won’t be competing, it’s simply for pleasure. I’m not sure where to start though. We have done contact, leg yields, circles etc but not much else. Please could you give me an idea of where to start and how to train certain things!?

 

[Littlebear]

Hi there, I’ve just got a new horse and he’s been out of work for ages and I’ve spent the last year bringing him back into work. I’m not ready to start something more rigid and challenging. I’m quite into dressage. I’ve had lessons on dressage horses but have never trained myself.
im not able to get a trainer in which is my struggle. In the future he isn’t likely to go anywhere else and I won’t be competing, it’s simply for pleasure. I’m not sure where to start though. We have done contact, leg yields, circles etc but not much else. Please could you give me an idea of where to start and how to train certain things!?

You may be better to post a video, no point anyone telling you what to try and do without seeing where you are first. Lots of experienced people on her will give you a bit guidance and goals if you want it x

 

[Renvers]

If you haven't already there are some good You Tuber Dressage riders (there are some rubbish ones too) that do videos with exercises to do with horses. Pet Plan and Your Horse, Horse & Rider etc have videos with established UK riders, I like Dressage with Georgia.

I know it is not as good as an instructor in person, but they could all give you ideas on things to try at home with guidance on what to do, how to do it.

 

[MissTyc]

There are some really good dressage-based audio lessons out there. I've downloaded some of the iRide ones, and they're really excellent actually!

 

[Skib]

I rode a beginners' RS pony. Had a weekly lesson and I learned the movements together with the pony by starting with the lowest level easiest test and working upwards. I downloaded and printed out the tests which cost something.
It was my ambition (novice rider) to ride a flying change which we eventually did. However then the pony was reclaimed for beginners and I lost heart at having to start over with a different pony.
I did watch some videos on line. And the Olympics. My party piece was to walk across the diagonal, gather up the reins and canter before the next corner. I am sometimes quite homesick for those days.

 

[SpotsandBays]

The “how to dressage” book is good! They also have a massive book of schooling exercises. Both available on Amazon

 

[Skib]

I have and constantly referred to Carl Hester's first very old book. Down to Earth Dressage: How to Train Your Horse
He wrote a further one Real Life Dressage: Training Advice from Novice to Grand Prix but I dont have that.

 

[blitznbobs]

Start with straightness … does your horses hind legs follow its front legs exactly (if you can get a set of eyes on the floor or some mirrors you will progress so much faster). Also work on your straightness do you sit straight in the saddle with equal weight in both seat bones? Is there more tension in one rein than the other when neutral … all things to work on to improve everything.

 

[Wishfilly]

Have you thought about doing any online dressage? This would mean you could learn tests and get a response from a judge without the pressure of going to shows?