stupid question re dressage (bit long, sorry!)

[vikuca]

you know when you watch dressage on tv, or even at a local competition and you see horses working "in an outline" or "on the bit" - well, how does the rider achieve it?
I have been riding for 25 years now and I am ashamed to admit I still don't know the answer to this. I remember as a youngster being taught to ride and being told to use alternate hands to take up and then release a contact in quite a strong way. Then as I've got on in years I've decided I really don't like "sawing" on the reins like that, even if I always did it mildly, being a softie

Then in the very few lessons I've had as an adult (I do intend to go regularly, once I've saved up some pennies!) I've been told various things - "playing" on the reins, riding circles and keeping the inside hand low and strong and the outside hand high etc etc. But the one that makes the most sense to me and the one I think is right is to keep a steady contact on the reins and concentrate on encouraging the horse to be forward-going, rather than worrying about his head. This is what I am doing with my cob Boris and very occasionally - but only on a hack and not in the school - he works in a lovely outline and I think I've cracked it. Then, inevitably, it all goes to pot again

I know this all sounds a bit thick, but I'm just not sure I've got the right idea because I've heard so many different things and until I do feel I know for sure it is difficult to have confidence in what I am doing. Help gratefully received!

 

[Sags_Deer]

you are pretty correct as in def no sawing of the reins which will cause the head to swing. A good leg & seat to hand contact with the hands a still and soft as possible allowing them to soften a bit and i mean a bit when the horse gives to you. Some horses need stretching exercises to loosen up neck. Get a good consistent trainer to help you. Where are you based

 

[vikuca]

I'm in county durham. I had a look on the british dressage website for trainers and found two close to me but, to be honest, I'm a bit wary of ringing them - I seem to have spent a lot of money on instructors in the past and I look back now and wonder whether they really knew what they were talking about. How do I find a good one? Admittedly, I've never done it through BD before, only through word of mouth.

 

[ajn1610]

If you haven't got the cash for regular lessons how about trying at clinics every three or four months instead? It is a good way to access top quality trainers at a lower cost.

 

[lexiedhb]

A horse CANT work in an outline correctly unless it is going forward, so your theory is great, lots of horses go round in "false" outlines, where they look "pretty" but arent working correctly due to lack of propulsion from the back end!

! I would say the best bit of advice i was ever given was always think inside leg to outside rein, when in the school, (unless doing some higher movement!). This doesnt mean the outsdie rein is shorter just that the horse is bending correctly through its inside, and not falling out through its outside shoulder.

An instructor regularly would help you alot, but it sounds like you are on the right track anyway...... DEF NO SAWING!!

PS: FAB name for a horse, my share horse is also called Boris!!

 

[dressager]

There was an interesting thread on outline a couple of weeks back, have a look at that.

An instructor is the way forwards, they will help you develop the right feel. You can read about it in theory but you will never be sure you have got it right, and it is an important part of training.

As you correctly said, you need to stop concentrating on where the horse's head actually is to start with, as having a firm contact is not the answer. The correct contact really is light and elastic and feels effortless. You find you do not need to try and "keep" the horse's head in the correct position, instead, all you really need to worry about is riding the horse forwards so he uses his back end correctly and the energy is transmitted forwards. Ensure he is moving as actively forwards in the school as he is on a hack, get him really off the leg, you may have to use your whip to start with if he is not used to being ridden forwards in this manner, just to help him understand what you are asking. Only when he is forwards enough you can ask for a slight inside flexion and if necessary, close the hand (but not pull) and he should relax through the jaw and start to work in a proper and not false (ie forced) outline.

 

[JenHunt]

There's a lady i used to work with near darlington (Jane Barbieri is her name) who competes BD on a big black friesan... she'd be able to give you a hand, or at least to give you some pointers to instructors in your area. think her number is on the BD website under trainers.

 

[Booboos]

You are entirely right, going forwards from the leg is the way to do it. What you want is the horse to engage from behind, be really through his back and 'fill up' your hand so you can feel the energy coming through and being contained in your hand (not falling on the forehand and pulling your hands out, but neither you pulling or holding the head/neck down when nothing is happening from behind)> When that happens you will feel the bit in your hands and you will be able to half halt without sawing at all!

I would try a BD instructor. They usually are very qualified and compete at a high level themselves so can be very useful. Most of them are really nice and helpful to all kinds of riders (I am a novice myself!), but if you come across anyone snooty just ignore them and try someone else. Your local RC will be organising clinics which are a good way of getting a 'taster' for different kinds of instructors.

 

[vikuca]

well, I just have to say a big thanks. I quite agree that an instructor is the way to go and I will take some of your suggestions on board about how to find a good one - wish me luck! I will look up Jane Barbieri - thanks jenhunt
I rode Boris this morning (tis a good name isn't it - he is named after Boris Becker because of his pinkish sort of colouring!) and I tried to do what Sags_Deer suggested - softening the hands and trying to feel Boris mouth more really. It was really good. I think although I have been concentrating on the forward movement, which is right from what you are all saying, my hands have not been very good because they were moving according to my movement, rather than following what Boris' mouth was doing - if that makes sense. He still wasn't going in an "outline" but it felt right. I felt as though my position was better as well because it wasn't relying on my hands. I've got an awful feeling that I've been far too heavy with my hands.