Difference between revisions of "Do Basic Dressage Successfully"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Readying Your Horse === | === Readying Your Horse === | ||
| − | #Get to know your horse. First, make sure you familiarize yourself with your horse and that your horse knows you. Before you get all into competing or just doing dressage for fun, make sure your horse knows who you are and knows that it can trust you. You also have to make sure you have faith in your horse. If you don't think you or your horse can do it, you won't be able to.<ref>http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-community/horse-human-bond.aspx</ref> | + | #Get to know your horse. First, make sure you familiarize yourself with your horse and that your horse knows you. Before you get all into competing or just doing dressage for fun, make sure your horse knows who you are and knows that it can trust you. You also have to make sure you have faith in your horse. If you don't think you or your horse can do it, you won't be able to.<ref name="rf1">http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-community/horse-human-bond.aspx</ref> |
#*Learning dressage depends entirely on being able to create a strong bond with your horse. Your horse must trust you to give it appropriate commands and you must trust it to do what you ask it to. | #*Learning dressage depends entirely on being able to create a strong bond with your horse. Your horse must trust you to give it appropriate commands and you must trust it to do what you ask it to. | ||
| − | #*To bond with your horse, try to spend a lot of time with each other in a way that reinforces the fact that you are the leader. Take your horse on walks and lead it by the bridle. Spend time grooming your horse and talking to it in soothing tones.<ref | + | #*To bond with your horse, try to spend a lot of time with each other in a way that reinforces the fact that you are the leader. Take your horse on walks and lead it by the bridle. Spend time grooming your horse and talking to it in soothing tones.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Gather the necessary materials. To practice dressage, you’ll need to make sure you have all the supplies you and your horse will need. This includes a dressage saddle, a saddle liner, stirrups, a bridle, and reins.<ref>http://www.classicdressage.com/2461/horse.aspx</ref> | + | #Gather the necessary materials. To practice dressage, you’ll need to make sure you have all the supplies you and your horse will need. This includes a dressage saddle, a saddle liner, stirrups, a bridle, and reins.<ref name="rf2">http://www.classicdressage.com/2461/horse.aspx</ref> |
#*Make sure you also have a good pair of boots to wear while you practice your dressage. Inappropriate footgear can lead to injury. | #*Make sure you also have a good pair of boots to wear while you practice your dressage. Inappropriate footgear can lead to injury. | ||
#*There are other supplies that may be required for competitions – like a tailcoat for you or a fly hood for your horse. | #*There are other supplies that may be required for competitions – like a tailcoat for you or a fly hood for your horse. | ||
| − | #Work on your position in the [[Saddle a Horse|saddle]]. Keep your heels down at all times. Adjust your [[Run up Stirrups|stirrups]] so that your knee is at about an eighty-degree angle. The balls of your feet should rest on the stirrup irons. Sit tall in the saddle without bracing your back. This will help improve your balance in the saddle.<ref>http://dressagetoday.com/article/dressage-position-101-with-shannon-peters-29608</ref> | + | #Work on your position in the [[Saddle a Horse|saddle]]. Keep your heels down at all times. Adjust your [[Run up Stirrups|stirrups]] so that your knee is at about an eighty-degree angle. The balls of your feet should rest on the stirrup irons. Sit tall in the saddle without bracing your back. This will help improve your balance in the saddle.<ref name="rf3">http://dressagetoday.com/article/dressage-position-101-with-shannon-peters-29608</ref> |
#*Keep the ball of your foot in the iron at all times. If you only put your toes in, your feet will slip out of the irons if your horse spooks and you will have no chance of staying on. | #*Keep the ball of your foot in the iron at all times. If you only put your toes in, your feet will slip out of the irons if your horse spooks and you will have no chance of staying on. | ||
=== Practicing the Basic Movements === | === Practicing the Basic Movements === | ||
| − | #Work on your horse's basic gaits. The first three gaits – walk, [[Trot|trot]], and [[Canter With Your Horse|canter]] – should be forward and consistent. Both you and your horse should feel confident traveling at all three gaits in all circumstances. Becoming comfortable with various speeds requires patience and practice.<ref>https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/4h/4-h-982-w.pdf</ref> | + | #Work on your horse's basic gaits. The first three gaits – walk, [[Trot|trot]], and [[Canter With Your Horse|canter]] – should be forward and consistent. Both you and your horse should feel confident traveling at all three gaits in all circumstances. Becoming comfortable with various speeds requires patience and practice.<ref name="rf4">https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/4h/4-h-982-w.pdf</ref> |
#*Learning the differences in gaits should be the foundation of your training with your horse. Mastering these skills requires a lot of practice. This will most likely take months of constant work with your horse. | #*Learning the differences in gaits should be the foundation of your training with your horse. Mastering these skills requires a lot of practice. This will most likely take months of constant work with your horse. | ||
#*When you show your horse in dressage competitions, you’ll need to demonstrate a mastery of the various gaits. | #*When you show your horse in dressage competitions, you’ll need to demonstrate a mastery of the various gaits. | ||
| − | #Practice transitions. The horse should have smooth, forward transitions, both upward and downward. Your horse should maintain balance, rather than falling onto its forehand, and it should not pull against the rein. Ideally, transitions should be mainly ridden off the leg and seat, with minimal hand/rein instruction.<ref>http://www.meredithmanor.edu/features/articles/faith/smooth_transitions.asp</ref> | + | #Practice transitions. The horse should have smooth, forward transitions, both upward and downward. Your horse should maintain balance, rather than falling onto its forehand, and it should not pull against the rein. Ideally, transitions should be mainly ridden off the leg and seat, with minimal hand/rein instruction.<ref name="rf5">http://www.meredithmanor.edu/features/articles/faith/smooth_transitions.asp</ref> |
#*In dressage, coordination is absolutely necessary. So transitions need to be prompt and occur at the exact moment the rider wishes to change the gait. | #*In dressage, coordination is absolutely necessary. So transitions need to be prompt and occur at the exact moment the rider wishes to change the gait. | ||
#*To improve your horse’s transitions, you need to spend a lot of time practicing. Try transitioning from walking to trotting and then from trotting to cantering. You can also practice transitioning from a standstill to walking. Going back and forth between these different moves will help your horse learn, over time, how to successfully transition during a dressage performance. | #*To improve your horse’s transitions, you need to spend a lot of time practicing. Try transitioning from walking to trotting and then from trotting to cantering. You can also practice transitioning from a standstill to walking. Going back and forth between these different moves will help your horse learn, over time, how to successfully transition during a dressage performance. | ||
| − | #Make sure that your horse moves into the contact with the bit. In Training Level, judges don't look so much for the collection that many people consider to be characteristic of dressage. Instead, they look for the predecessor to collection, which is willingness to accept contact and stretch into the bridle.<ref>http://www.horsechannel.com/english-horse-training/dressage-mysteries-solved.aspx</ref> | + | #Make sure that your horse moves into the contact with the bit. In Training Level, judges don't look so much for the collection that many people consider to be characteristic of dressage. Instead, they look for the predecessor to collection, which is willingness to accept contact and stretch into the bridle.<ref name="rf6">http://www.horsechannel.com/english-horse-training/dressage-mysteries-solved.aspx</ref> |
#*How can you tell that a horse is stretching into the bridle? When you hold your reins still, you should be able to feel the horse's mouth without it hanging on your reins. | #*How can you tell that a horse is stretching into the bridle? When you hold your reins still, you should be able to feel the horse's mouth without it hanging on your reins. | ||
#*If you soften your reins forward, it should follow the contact down, neither pulling against the reins nor dropping the contact. | #*If you soften your reins forward, it should follow the contact down, neither pulling against the reins nor dropping the contact. | ||
| − | #Use your hips to turn the horse. When you want your horse to turn, pull your waist up a bit in the saddle every time. Slightly turn your hips in the direction you want your horse to go. Push straight with your hips in the direction that you want to go.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g_lCoJN9WQ</ref> | + | #Use your hips to turn the horse. When you want your horse to turn, pull your waist up a bit in the saddle every time. Slightly turn your hips in the direction you want your horse to go. Push straight with your hips in the direction that you want to go.<ref name="rf7">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g_lCoJN9WQ</ref> |
#*The longer you practice this method with your horse, the more perceptive your horse will become to your movements and intended commands. Eventually, you will only have to pivot your hips ever so slightly for your horse to interpret the response you expect from it. | #*The longer you practice this method with your horse, the more perceptive your horse will become to your movements and intended commands. Eventually, you will only have to pivot your hips ever so slightly for your horse to interpret the response you expect from it. | ||
#*Ask your horse to bend its body to follow any curve by supporting him with your inside leg and inside seat bone. Be careful not to overbend him; if you were to look down from above, the curve of its body should match the curve of the turn or circle. | #*Ask your horse to bend its body to follow any curve by supporting him with your inside leg and inside seat bone. Be careful not to overbend him; if you were to look down from above, the curve of its body should match the curve of the turn or circle. | ||
=== Preparing for Dressage Shows === | === Preparing for Dressage Shows === | ||
| − | #Get professional dressage instruction. If you want to show your horse in a dressage competition, you should consider getting professional training beforehand. A professional outside point of view will be able to recognize any mistakes you might be overlooking in form, technique, or commands.<ref>http://silverleaffarm.us/</ref> | + | #Get professional dressage instruction. If you want to show your horse in a dressage competition, you should consider getting professional training beforehand. A professional outside point of view will be able to recognize any mistakes you might be overlooking in form, technique, or commands.<ref name="rf8">http://silverleaffarm.us/</ref> |
#*You should be able to contact a local equestrian club (or even your horse veterinarian or other dressage enthusiasts) for recommendations about who to ask for private dressage lessons for you and your horse. | #*You should be able to contact a local equestrian club (or even your horse veterinarian or other dressage enthusiasts) for recommendations about who to ask for private dressage lessons for you and your horse. | ||
| − | #Practice the USDF tests. Memorize and practice the USDF Training Level tests. Ride them for a certified instructor and ask them for some tips on what you should work on. When you take the tests, a judge will give you a scorecard with information on how well you and your horse performed during the test.<ref>http://www.usdf.org/about/about-dressage/competition/tests.asp</ref> | + | #Practice the USDF tests. Memorize and practice the USDF Training Level tests. Ride them for a certified instructor and ask them for some tips on what you should work on. When you take the tests, a judge will give you a scorecard with information on how well you and your horse performed during the test.<ref name="rf9">http://www.usdf.org/about/about-dressage/competition/tests.asp</ref> |
#*Each test is conducted on an individual basis – with one horse (and rider) performing on their own for each level of the test. | #*Each test is conducted on an individual basis – with one horse (and rider) performing on their own for each level of the test. | ||
| − | #*The USDF tests your skills in some of the following areas: tracking right or left, free walking, halting and saluting, changing reins, and circling right or left.<ref> http://www.usdf.org/docs/ShowFlash/web/Tests/2015/introa.pdf</ref> | + | #*The USDF tests your skills in some of the following areas: tracking right or left, free walking, halting and saluting, changing reins, and circling right or left.<ref name="rf10"> http://www.usdf.org/docs/ShowFlash/web/Tests/2015/introa.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Show your horse. Here is the fun part. Research any schooling shows in your area and enter your horse in them. After you ride your test for the judge, you will receive a score sheet with an assessment of what you did well and what you scored poorly on. Try to take all criticism well, as the judge did take the time to write up the scoresheet for you.<ref>http://www.usdf.org/competitions/competitions-championships/index.asp</ref> | + | #Show your horse. Here is the fun part. Research any schooling shows in your area and enter your horse in them. After you ride your test for the judge, you will receive a score sheet with an assessment of what you did well and what you scored poorly on. Try to take all criticism well, as the judge did take the time to write up the scoresheet for you.<ref name="rf11">http://www.usdf.org/competitions/competitions-championships/index.asp</ref> |
#*Remember that your first show is really just a test run since you’ve never done it before. Give yourself permission to do poorly because you are learning how the system works and what is expected in these kinds of competitions. | #*Remember that your first show is really just a test run since you’ve never done it before. Give yourself permission to do poorly because you are learning how the system works and what is expected in these kinds of competitions. | ||
#*There are many national and international dressage competitions around the world including the US Dressage Finals, the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships, and the North American Juniors and Young Riders’ Championships. | #*There are many national and international dressage competitions around the world including the US Dressage Finals, the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships, and the North American Juniors and Young Riders’ Championships. | ||
