Stressage help/exercises/training plan??

[Dizzy socks]

Hi, So with the long, dark winter ahead of us, I figure is it time to try and improve ponio and my's stressage! But...the thing is, I've no clue how to go about it. So, does anyone has any tips for generally improving dressage, simple prelim type, want the basics in place first. It would be amazing I anyone could provide some kind of schooling plan (or link to one!), which would not only say what do, but how to do it, and what to hope to achieve with each session! (I may be dreaming here) anyway, all tips and pointers are much appreciated! Thanks, Dizzy socks(Ps, sorry for lack of paragraphs, key not working!) I also have very limited facilities - a hill.

 

[Dizzy socks]

Nothing? Ahh well

 

[Mrs C]

101 schooling exercises is a good book. I also bought all the prelim tests to use as schooling sessions and will work on each element of the test then string it together if that makes sense. So ill work on the transitions, work on the walk (lazy walker!!), make sure she's stretching down in the free walk etc) Another thing I fancy but haven't tried is the downloads. Is it sound schooling...?

 

[Dizzy socks]

101 schooling exercises is a good book. I also bought all the prelim tests to use as schooling sessions and will work on each element of the test then string it together if that makes sense. So ill work on the transitions, work on the walk (lazy walker!!), make sure she's stretching down in the free walk etc) Another thing I fancy but haven't tried is the downloads. Is it sound schooling...?

Thanks, I will have a look for that book now . i'm not quite sure what you mean by sound schooling, but yes, the downloads are to be listened to - I believe.


I doubt they would work on a rather faulty and currently lost- Ipod touch.

 

[be positive]

Limited facilities may make it harder but if you start along the scales of training you can get the basics established on hacks, relaxation is the starting place and possible to get well established while hacking or on any surface, then rhythm again no facilities required to work on this, contact will follow no special facilities required and you will be getting there, plenty of transitions, getting the horse forward and responsive to your aids.
A few lessons when possible may help make sure you are following the correct path, take small steps but don't be afraid to get things wrong if at times you push out of your comfort zone, you can plan ahead but I usually prefer to work with what the horse feels like each day and go from there, being too fixed on doing what is planned can mean you start something that can be hard to finish.

 

[Dizzy socks]

Limited facilities may make it harder but if you start along the scales of training you can get the basics established on hacks, relaxation is the starting place and possible to get well established while hacking or on any surface, then rhythm again no facilities required to work on this, contact will follow no special facilities required and you will be getting there, plenty of transitions, getting the horse forward and responsive to your aids.
A few lessons when possible may help make sure you are following the correct path, take small steps but don't be afraid to get things wrong if at times you push out of your comfort zone, you can plan ahead but I usually prefer to work with what the horse feels like each day and go from there, being too fixed on doing what is planned can mean you start something that can be hard to finish.

Thank you- very helpful.

 

[kc100]

Hard to advise when I dont know much about your horse, any problem areas, any issues you have with your riding etc. I compete at dressage but I dont really have a 'schooling plan' as such, I just have lessons with my trainer when I can afford it and then take away 'homework' from each lesson and work on it at home. My mare is a pain in the arse at the moment and we have MANY problems so all my schooling is focused on resolving those problems.

For example she rushes, she has huge paces and she just runs on the forehand trying to show off rather than working correctly over her back and she cannot for the life of her relax. So the majority of our schooling is trying to get her softer in the contact (not leaning on my hands and pulling so hard), trying to get her to relax her neck in trot (she can relax and stretch in walk but not in trot) and stretch down, we work on her straightness as she offers too much bend most of the time etc.

So really your schooling plan should be based on the areas your horse struggles. For example if he has a nice walk and trot that are fairly active but he struggles with canter, then focus your schooling on the canter. If he has all 3 paces sorted but hollows and brings his neck up each time you make a transition, work on lots of upwards and downwards transitions.

Really you need a trainer, to at least give you one lesson to highlight where the main issues lie so you know what to be working on at home. Prelim can be quite hard because there are so few movements there is nowhere to hide, your movements have to be incredibly accurate and you really need to have nailed your transitions (both upwards and downwards). My trainer always said prelim is so tough because the judges see EVERYTHING - at levels above prelim there are more movements that come faster so the judge wont always notice every little error, whereas at prelim its all on show and easy for the judge to spot.

Remember that dressage is based on the scales of training - Rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection. Collection is not necessary at Prelim but a judge will expect your horse to have a good rhythm in all 3 paces, to be supple when going around circles and making turns, to be steady in the contact and ideally to be in a reasonable outline (prelim can be debatable on the outline required but generally judges want to see the horse on the bit and soft), to be straight on the centre line turns and on the long side of the arena, and then finally to be active in all 3 paces.

So you can easily focus on each of these when schooling at home. Rhythm can often vary with horses when for example you are asking them to be softer in the contact, they might slow down or even the rhythm may change multiple times during one movement. Work on getting the horse soft in the contact and ensuring he maintains the same rhythm regardless of what you are asking him to do. Impulsion is linked to rhythm - you want each pace to be forwards, active and in front of your leg rather than needing you to nag him 24/7. Transitions are great for getting a horse more active and off your leg. This can be typical upwards/downwards transitions, or it can be within the pace - asking the horse for a bigger trot then bringing him back to a more collected trot. This can be done in all 3 paces as well.

There are plenty of exercises for suppling a horse - if you feel he doesnt bend very easily and is stiff then you can do loads of work on this. Google suppling exercises, there will be much better descriptions online than what I can offer! Contact is another one you could work on forever, again the aim here is for him to be soft, for the contact to remain even and steady regardless of the movement you are asking. No head coming up when going from trot to walk etc. Lots of give and retakes of the rein to make sure he is not leaning on the contact and is in self carriage.

Ultimately the best thing you can do to improve your dressage is to get a trainer and have a few lessons, it will give you invaluable insight into your main issues and give you lots of homework to do in your schooling sessions.