Prelim question...

When looking to buy a horse what info do you consider important at an initial glance?

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I wouldn't worry about an outline too much, but they do like you to be forwards more tha anything at Prelim. That beig said I havn't seen that many horses not in a outline in my area
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That beig said I havn't seen that many horses not in a outline in my area
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Really? All the unaff prelim horses are working forwards in proper outlines?! Good job I'm not worried about results lol
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, so long as we improve on last score I'll be happy
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I would just concentrate on making sure he is nice and forwards and the test is accurate. Debatable (sp) whether they are working correctly though.
 
Id say the forward thing is so much more important, it might not win you anything too start with, but it will solve you so many problems later that are caused from a false outline!
 
Even at prelim yes I would expect a horse to be working forwards into an outline - how you define outline I don't know, I suppose that's another debate lol!!!
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TBH and I know you want to get out and about, but I would get it more or less right at home before going out to do it - maybe it's my perfectionist nature! It's what I did and first time out we won with 70+%!!! That was a few years ago tho!!!
 
I didn't ask whether the horse should be working forwards into an outline SV
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Of course the horse 'should' be. I asked what was worse- fake or forwards without!
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I'm not interested in 'winning' right now, just keen to get out and let ned experience things. So long as our scores creep up gradually then I'll be happy
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In that case I'd say "forwards without" - dressage is marked with the scales of training in mind - and I *think* I'm correct in saying that forwardness is a high prority!
 
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In that case I'd say "forwards without" - dressage is marked with the scales of training in mind - and I *think* I'm correct in saying that forwardness is a high prority!

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RHYTHM.... is the priority...but yes forwards and 'on the bit'..


Hx
 
Actually I think it depends on what you're after. If you want a horse that in 5/10 years' time will be useless and trained completely backwards, who doesn't know how to work forwards in the correct manner, but want to win at prelim right now, as the general standard of judging is at the moment, I'd go for a fake outline.
However if, like other people with their heads screwed on the right way, you want a properly trained, happy, obedient and willing horse then I'd stuff the outline and work on everything else. The outline will come last, once a horse is working properly (which necessitates the forward-ness, or 'the forward tendancy' as my instructor's posh dressage trainer puts it!).
But hey, what would I know about dressage?
 
I voted other, because you need him to be forward for training at home and for the test and the judge will mark you lower if he isn't forward. However, the judge will mark you lower if he isn't in an outline. Rhythm is the most important as it is the first scale of training, but there should be a connection from the hindlegs over a soft back into an accepting contact. This connection is less than you would expect from a novice horse or elementary horse, but it is still important and judges will reward a horse working like this as this will enable the horse to progress in its training.
 
Me too if todays schooling session is anything to go by- was fab!!! Been concentrating so hard over the last few weeks to forget about everything other than sending him forward- just this week I have seen glimmers of some nice work, followed by a few strides, a circle etc etc but still all very inconsistent.

Today he went like a dream- like all the hard work paid off and the penny had dropped! Had lesson booked in with my instructor but she arrived 25 mins late to find us trotting round the arena looking fab! Had the lesson and he went better and better, amazing.

So pleased with him, not there with the canter but feel as though we have some very sturdy foundations now
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Yay thank you, no-one usually agrees with me!
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I was having an inspired moment (inspired by my 65.9% prelim 4 test at weekend where my horse was totally awful but had her chin on her chest as it was hailing so hard!)
ETS: I wasn't purposely riding her like that, I was concentrating on staying in the arena and seeing where the markers were through the rain, and consequently wasn't riding her at all!
 
I have this problem - large, gangly, veteran ex-racehorse has never been asked to go in an outline by his owner. i have tried asking him but not getting anywhere. however, did get placed 4th on 63.15% in our first prelim so having an outline is not totally necessary.
 
My first ever test was prelim 7 and I got 67.5% and had an outline but comments of unbalanced and somthimes rushing, though it was obedient and quietly ridden.

The 2 tests I've just done with the riding club were Prelim 10 and 14 I got 52% and 63% respectively - and though we didn't have an outline - we got very obedient and relaxed tests which was good.

Now I've got a couple under my belt, I'm going to ask more of us both and try for a better outline but hopefully without too much resistance, though she can throw tantrums if she doesn't want to play.

So far she's looking after her dressage-novice mum though so I'm hoping we can get an outline without the temper fits next time!

Definately go for forwards for now, and work on the outline for later.
 
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