My horsey

[cation]

Hi Sorrell

This might seem like a dumb question, but would you please explain what "dressage" means? I've seen it before, but still don't have a clue. )

I'm not Sorrell, but basically dressage is a series of maneuvers performed by horse and rider in an arena settings. Dressage is often considered the"ballet" of the horse world. It is truly a fine art, as the smallest movements of the rider are all that can be used to guide the horse, and the standards for both horse and rider are very high. In a large arena, horse and rider will move through a predetermined set of moves, involving both circular and linear work, forward and reverse.


That's all I can remember. I haven't schooled english for years. I'm sure Sorrell can fill you in in more detail.

 

[Sorrell]

Hi Sorrell

This might seem like a dumb question, but would you please explain what "dressage" means? I've seen it before, but still don't have a clue. )

No problem! Here's a link to the spectators guide to dressage

http/www.usdf.org/AboutUs/SpectatorsGuideToDressage.asp

If a person doesn't want to read that lol, here's my favorite part:

Dressage teaches a horse to be obedient, willing, supple and responsive. The horse freely submits to the rider's lightest "aids" or body signals, while remaining balanced and energetic. The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the horse in both mind and body, and every horse, regardless of its type or use, can benefit from this training.

Dressage principles are a logical, step-by-step progression from simple to increasingly complex movements. More and more is asked of the horse as it becomes mentally and physically ready to respond to these demands.

The graceful movements performed in competition may look effortless, but are the result of years of training. The aids should be virtually imperceptible. A squeeze of the calf, a closing of the fingers, a shifting of the rider's weight in the saddle should be all that is necessary to tell the horse what is required.

 

[cation]

Y'know, maybe that's why I never enjoyed it. I never got to continue with the same horse - I never had one. I had lessons every week (multiple times) and I had a horse that was primarily ridden by me, but she died on the operating table two years into my 7+ years of english. And my instructor was firm about western training, until she had the time to determine if we had a seat or not. So I didn't start schooling english until I was 6 months in. Then no jumping till I had completed 1.5 years of basic english and a series of Sat. "fall" classes. (I can hear her now - "If you don't know how to fall off of a horse, there's no way you're jumping under my watch, missy....")

Perhaps one day when I have the space, time and funds for a horse of my own, I'll try again.

 

[Sorrell]

Yep, that's a little different from my upbringing. We learned to ride english and then moved on. The way I see it, if you can sit an english saddle, you're set in a western one. We rode for about three hours a day, everyday, and showed Saturday and Sundays. I've hit the ground twice in my life and both were off that appendix mare who was off the track. One was a cross country course on a Saturday and the second was the exact same spot the following Saturday. She would do this thing where she would rear, so I'd climb her neck, then she'd sink back on her haunches and buck. Well, when you're leaning forward, you're off.

Personally the fall class I would think would make for naughty horses. If you know you can fall and be fine, whats the point of riding it out? Pretty soon the horse realizes if they act up, you'll bail and what fun for them. Feel free to disagree, horse people always do, just my opinion...

 

[suspectdebbie]

What a beatuiful horse!

 

[cation]

Personally the fall class I would think would make for naughty horses. If you know you can fall and be fine, whats the point of riding it out? Pretty soon the horse realizes if they act up, you'll bail and what fun for them. Feel free to disagree, horse people always do, just my opinion...

I actually found it helped a lot. Perhaps that's because the horse died after our lessons - the ones I rode after that were NOT used for "falling lessons" . It was actually a class usually taken by those with horses....which really makes me wonder about your theory, I think you'd probably be right. For me, I took it as more of a "how to stay on your horse, but be safe if you fall" class. Did me right.

But I earned many of my lessons mucking stalls and playing groom, and I had enough of a seat that I was often called upon to exercise the "trouble horses". It was probably good I had those lessons. The trouble horse (okay, pony...) I was called upon to to exercise most regularly was named Sugar, but apparently no one ever told her that... She was a real bugger. She only threw me twice, but she tried every time. We had these donkeys next to the outside arena that she HATED, and (kinda like a betta...)would try to bite and fight every time we got near (ie, every time we got to that point in the arena loop), Sugar would rear and try to bite them. Good times.


We three girls, I suspect, are going to have a ripping good time together. In case you want to know who I am, I posted a pic in rogue's gallery . I'm not as hot as luv, julie, and you, but I get the job done.