Why do dressage people use white boots or bandages?

[druid]

Now that I have no idea about! Though I do know squares vs. numnahs were originally only to keep tail coats clean but migrated to the lower levels.

 

[flyingfeet]

Well I have a white square for dressage, I'm not sure why, other than its the done thing. However I'm surprised they don't want dark colours so it doesn't stick out.

 

[diggerbez]

i have a grey so i bought red ones to show off in the warm up!!! he he

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

White dressage squares I suppose because they look smart however other colours can be used. White bandages to emphasise the horses leg movement which is a good training aid.
Although not mentioned yet....what about white gloves?..... this also emphasises hand movements ....so sometimes they certainly shouldn't be worn by some riders.

 

[dieseldog]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh so this little fellow may have an advantage? He is my bargain buy dressage star (has a wonky leg though.....)

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't reckon you're going to have an advantage at all - looks like he is going to turn grey to me if you look at his tail

 

[kerilli]

he doesn't look wonky, he looks really nice. fingers crossed for him!
i knew a colt marked just like that who had a deformed front foot (front of hoof was vertical) and he came right and totally sound and got to quite a high level dressaging.

 

[flyingfeet]

Its baby fuzz in his tail...honest.... he is not going grey!!

I have fully instructed him to be my first black horse, though does appear to be a bit brown and have various colours!!

 

[MissSBird]

I use boots in general as my horse is a bit nuts in warmup (she's afraid of other horses coming towards her) and I don't want her hurting herself with a moment of silliness.

And I use white ones so that I can't forget to take them off before going in. My mare has black legs so black ones tend to disappear.

I also have white ones as they are everyday use, and I wear them out hacking and can't help they add that little bit of visability on the roads.

 

[Eventerlad15]

They look good! And can make any old nag look smart.

 

[ddd]

I work my horse in boots every day for schooling and hacking and use white ones all the time including white numnah, I like the look of white on him and it is harder to go into the test forgetting to take them off if they are white. So far if I have forgotton someone has yelled to me before the bell has gone giving me time to get them off before I start. I wash boots and numnahs after every use so being white is not a problem.

I have two pairs of black just for hacking in the winter.

 

[druid]

I'm highly amused that most on the this thread say it's purely vanity - I guess the Dressage Queen/Diva stereotype is alive and well!

 

[Halfstep]

Its not purely vanity. Leg protection is obvious, especially in a crowded warmup and when doing lateral work. White (or contrasting colour) helps a trainer or rider looking in a mirror to spot rhythm and movement - if like me you have a bay with four black legs, white bandages really help me see what he's doing in when I ride past the mirror. When I had a grey I used black bandages for the same reason.

White saddlecloth - I guess its traditional, it does look smart but I've seen people using other colours, I used to use silver on my grey horse.

 

[harrihjc]

white would be totally camouflaged on my little monster, I use bright red instead

 

[druid]

Pssst, HalfStep - did you miss my earlier reply? I was one of the few *not* using them fo the sake of vanity!

 

[Lill]

[ QUOTE ]
white would be totally camouflaged on my little monster, I use bright red instead

[/ QUOTE ]

Hehe me too only i've opted for GREEN!!!!

 

[Halfstep]

LOL! Sorry Druid, I was doing QR, not aimed at you at all I promise!!!!! Actually I think your siggie of Monty in his white bandages gives a good example of how they highlight the footfalls.

 

[druid]

'Tis ok - I should have known better

 

[H's mum]

..and I use black saddle cloths

We used to use boots til H had her AL problems and then I stopped using them as I felt that they hindered her movement

Riders use them for protection and they have to remove them to compete as they obviously could be hiding something to enhance movement... but with regards to colour - not all dressage riders choose white... some have pink!

Kate x

 

[Halfstep]

Well I think someone

has to uphold the dressage diva stereotype......you even have the fluffy over reach boots LOL. I had them but they made the horse trip so sold them. I do have and Anky rolled bridle however - diva, moi?????

.

 

[Bossanova]

I own a set of white boots and a set of white bandages which I dig out on special occaisions- advert photos or posh clinics etc.
Tbh I think theyre generally a vanity thing and most people dont use them because they can see their horses legs better in the mirrors....

 

[druid]

Shhhh, don't ruin my "I use them for a valid reason" persona

I like fluff - we have black fluff under our saddle...it's just less noticeable

And rolled bridle you say? This is my latest purchase....

 

[Halfstep]

SMART!!! I do like a rolled double.......

Ok fair enough Boss, I use white because they make the horse look pretty and god knows we need all the help we can get.....

. But the principle still holds.....

 

[ASM2]

mmnnn - now I know where I've been going wrong.....

hunter

to dressage diva??

common 2 year old:

to Brightwells!!!

 

[LEC]

White saddle cloths make the horse look shorter coupled and more connected. Its a bit of an optical illusion. The op is needed in showing as you want to saddle to look small and the horse well proportioned and big! Hence close cut normally to the saddle.

 

[Baydale]

ASM - I knew you were in denial and have actually been dying to do some dressage.

And don't you dare call the 2010 BYEH winner common.

 

[Gamebird]

I have a set so that I can lead my horse out to graze in hand at 3DEs without feeling intimidated by all the pro 4* riders' grooms

Though I haven't got any over-reach boots yet so I SOOOO stick out as an amateur

 

[Ferdinase514]

PMSL!! Brilliant pics - you hunt with 2 reins

?!

Personally, I dont bother with boots or bandages at Comps as I hardly ever have help. Last time i did they forgot to tak emy OR boots off...not that the judge noticed!

 

[ASM2]

[ QUOTE ]
ASM - I knew you were in denial and have actually been dying to do some dressage.

And don't you dare call the 2010 BYEH winner common.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I'm getting pretty hot at it actually

. Achieved my first perfect square halt last week (in front of big hedge

) and can now be found passaging and caprioling around the place on OH's new tb loon

. (Dressage? - he'd be better off as saus-age

).

As for BYEH I'm told the way to stardom is to a) drop her off with some woman who likes big bays, frogs and the odd chicken and b) hope she grows like those big bays

. Of course by that time she'll be well and truly spoilt by some idiot "giving a go"

. My money would be on this one

:

and possibly this little devil

:

http://www.greenlees-equine.com/photo1570022.html

FinnMcoul - I've always ridden him in a double but going to try a waterford next week (ooh listen to me!). Double reins are hopeless for maximum port consumption

.

 

[dressager]

I use white bandages on my grey as he has black legs... but in the future I will have to change to black bandages as his legs lighten. This bandage business really is a fine art you know

I was always told black saddleclothes on a grey spoilt their outline, so does that mean you could end up with white saddlecloth and black bandages