Getting head round dressage.. good books to read??

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MissDeMeena

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Ok, so my flat work is fine, i can get most things going well enough on the flat for a pleasing mark prelim/novice (and i've even won an unaff. elem)... But i've started having a couple of dressage lessons, and everything seems to go flying over my head, i forget which is the inside and the outside, i never know where my left and right are.. i generally get really confussed during a lesson.. i'm the sort of person who has to ride dressage by feel, once i can feel something i don't have to think about it, but when i'm thinking about it things go pear shaped..
I've never exactly been an intelligent person, as i've said above, i ride through feel, but your average top dressage rider is fluent in 6 languages and is taking a PhD in their spare time... any tips for us thicko's to get their head round dressage!!!!! ???? good books to read???
 
Lol sounds like me. When I was competing I had my 'bible' which was by Jennie Loriston-Clark and had loads of pictures to help me understand. I cant remember what it was called now (im talkin 20years ago!) but it was excellent.

I also love Paul Belasik's book Dressage for the 21st Century, which I am now reading for the second time so I can understand exactly what he is saying.
 
They should have a 'Dressage for Dummies' book, step by step instructions...
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The best dressage book I have ever read is this
Dressage in Harmony by Walter Zettl. It has a lovely simple style with lots of explanation and clarity - he doesn't bamboozle you with theory but makes you understand why and how things work. It covers everything from the basics to the most advanced work. Highly recommended.
 
Ever considered a lesson on an equi-simulator? Since you say you ride from feel... that would allow you to completly focus on you and you'll learn a lot more about the biomechanics of it all.

IMO they help you to become much more aware of your own body and how it can effect the horse.

They're very good
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Write R and L on your gloves - that way you don't have to stop and think which way is right, a quick glance down will be enough...

Almost needed to do that for my driving test!
 
very good idea, but wouldn't have a clue where to find one of them.. i know they use them at the British Racing School, but obviously they are geared up for racehorses..
 
I've a good contact of a lady in Gloucestershire who does training with your horse and with equi-simulator (trigger) and IMO it is very postitive experience.
And has really helped my seat and we're not talk huge cost aswell-pm me if you would like more details
 
I'd definitly go to Heather's. She's an excellent teacher and will help you to understand how you sit on the horse effects everything else about it. Once you understand this and can put it into effect, you'll find that a lot more about working horses correctly on the flat slips into place.

Atm, I'd imagine youre getting flooded with the "how tos" of dressage and it can be a lot to take in. There are all the aids associated with different movements alongside all the aids associated with basic, good riding and asking the horse to work correctly.

Once you know how the horse works and how you influence that on a basic level, the aids start to become more common sense and second nature so you can start to ride with your feeling and not need to *think* at every stride.

Aside from equi-sim lessons, I'd seek out a good trainer who will explain things right from the start for you. Don't take this as patronising, but far too many dressage trainers completely intimidate their students. Theres no point in yelling at them to take travers down this side, renvers down this side, sit up, tuck x in, push x out, leg leg leg, hand hand hand; unless you understand WHY. And whats worse, so few seem willing to actually explain the whys (or possibly arent 100% sure of them theirselves
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Personally, again, id recommend a good classical instructor. They'll help to explain the whys and take things back to an easier point.

If you need any help with anything from an online point of view, shoot me a PM and i'll try to answer any questions or explain anything you're unsure of until you find someone
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Walter Zettles books are very good and I like the Paul Belasik ones but I know some people just say they are all the more confusing.
 
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