thinking of changing disciplines - will he make a nice dressage horse?

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blood_magik

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Im considering a move to BD from BSJ - does he look like he could have a successful dressage career? I only have the one picture, which was taken during the ridden veteran showing class:
http://scott-equestrian.co.uk/galleryone/main.php?g2_itemId=202435

The self-carriage isn't quite there in that picture but he's getting there - he's in need of a bit of polishing but my RI thinks he could maybe make it to medium level with the right training.

Any thoughts? Please don't be too harsh :D
 
He looks lovely! the only change you need to make is get a good dressage saddle and adopt a better dressage position, its alot easier in the right saddle, I never know how showing people ride with the 'sitting in a chair' position? but thats just me, horse looks elegant and nice conformation, and with the right training could go far, Good Luck!
 
thank you :D
Im waiting on my lovely new dressage saddle being delivered (thats not me in the pic, btw - im older and a lot uglier :p) so hopefully that should sort out my position and make his job a little bit easier.

The only issue I have is that he's a bit stiff (he's getting on a bit) - are there any exercises I can do with him to stretch him out?
He's particularly stiff on the left rein. I've been doing flexing work with him, such as putting a treat where my boot would sit and getting him to bend round to get it. I've also been putting a treat on the ground between his legs and making him stretch over his back.
 
He looks lovely and I am sure he would do a great dressage test. Just give it a go and enjoy yourself! As to how far he could go, who knows??? Maybe all the way!
 
I certainly don't see why you shouldn't give dressage a go. To get the really big marks your horse needs to show expression in his paces but certainly at the lower levels you should get decent marks if you horse is 'on the bit', is straight, rythmical and shows submission.

Most horses should be capable of doing a medium test so I don't see why your boy shouldn't.

Make sure you warm him up properly when you start riding before asking for him to work. It might be worth trying a magnetic rug or massage pad to help him.

Lateral work and transititions both between and within the paces will be your friend!
 
I think that I need to have him schooled by someone to see whether he does have the potential for medium level dressage. Im not a good enough rider at the moment to take him there - it will be more him teaching me once he knows what's expected of him.

I had such a great lesson today though. It's amazing how changing one little thing can make such a huge difference - all I did was change the position of my hands (they usually lurk somewhere around his withers) and he immediately carried himself more so Im a very happy bunny at the moment :D
I did lots of collecting and lengthening in my lesson today and the trot it produced was just amazing (Im a bit biased :p)
 
blood_magik said:
I think that I need to have him schooled by someone to see whether he does have the potential for medium level dressage. Im not a good enough rider at the moment to take him there - it will be more him teaching me once he knows what's expected of him.
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I don't see why you need to have someone else school him, so long as you have the help of a good trainer and are willing to listen and learn do it yourself! I've never done any dressage before having The Welsh Cob, he is also my first horse and I bought him unbroken. But I have found it so rewarding to do all the work myself (with a trainers help) we may have taken longer to get to this stage than if he'd been professionally schooled but we have learnt together and I think I have much greater knowledge of his behaviour, his every little movement under saddle etc :D It's a partnership I wouldn't change for all the tea in china!
 
Well I don't your area, but research and word of mouth are the best methods for finding a good trainer. You can search the BD list of trainers for someone in your area :) but don't be afraid to try a few...different methods/approaches work for different horses.

Oh and happy re-schooling :) there is nothing more challenging and satisfying!
 
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