Horse Won't Do Dressage

Ive just learned dressage and Im having issues. The lesson horse that I ride is an appaloosa jumper. I know appys aren't meant for dressage, but just for the basics, I had some problems my last lesson and she was, to say simply, awful. Sorry, I feel a rant coming... okay. Here goes. Here are all the problems:

She won't halt! I pull as hard as I can and she wont halt!

She doesn't listen to my leg. I have a weak leg, but when were doing a course she is just fine. But in dressage, I think she just pretends she doesn't understand.

SHe wont MOVE! She wont halt when I ask her to, but when she's feeling lazy, she just stops mid trot, and then my instructor gets angry that I kicked her.

Sorry. Rant over . Don't worry, I'm a beginner so I don't have a crop or spurs. I would never kick a horse with spurs.

Please help, I'm a bit stressed here.

Stella, I've seen your other post where you call yourself a "beginner rider". You have to have solid W/T/C. Stable legs and hands before getting to the fancier things. Halt is NOT about pulling hard. I use my voice and seat to stop my horses (unless my paint is in go-go mode, then half halts come in place as well as changing direction if absolutely needed).

I don't want to sound rude, but I have a feeling you need to find a different instructor. If you REALLY want to learn dressage, look for a goofd DRESSAGE trainer.

BTW, any horse can do low level dressage.

She won't halt! I pull as hard as I can and she wont halt! - halt is not about pulling back as hard as you can its closing your seat and legs and blocking movement that way you then close your fingers gently around the reins and ride foreward into the halt. You should spend time working on this during your lessons and on a variety of horses.

She doesn't listen to my leg. I have a weak leg, but when were doing a course she is just fine. But in dressage, I think she just pretends she doesn't understand.- Any hors e can do schooling aka dressage they might not be able to do harder movements but they can all do the basic W/T/C. You are not generating enough energy through your seat try to listen to a fast paced song to generate energy subconciously

SHe wont MOVE! She wont halt when I ask her to, but when she's feeling lazy, she just stops mid trot, and then my instructor gets angry that I kicked her. -try squeezing gently, then nudge, then kick. Ehen she moves walk for a few strides halt and try again its all about getting her to respond to the hair.
You need to get on and assert yourself as a strong rider so she behaves with you. Ask your instucter maybe for tips on how to move her foreward if this doesnt work id look at moving to a more suitable learning yard

The halt is not at all about pulling. It is every bit as forward of a movement as W/T/C, and requires the correct application of your seat and leg as well. There are tons of threads on the forum dealing with each of your problems, so I won't go into the nitty gritty details of how to achieve each movement here.

Horses don't "pretend they don't understand". They may not understand, may understand and refuse to obey, but there's no pretending about any of it.

I agree with kitten Val that you may need to look into a different instructor. Your instructor should be explaining to you how to use your aids to achieve a good halt, leg yield, walk, etc., rather than become angry that you respond incorrectly. This doesn't just go for dressage specific things, but for all disciplines or even just "general" riding lessons.

IMHO, if you are really interested in learning dressage at the experience level that you are (no disrespect at all intended here... everyone starts at the beginning. ), you ought to have a specialized dressage instructor, or at least an instructor with a background and experience with the type of riding that you want to do, and you ought to be riding a schoolmaster who won't test you as you're learning yourself.

In the meantime, I highly recommend reading up on the topic and becoming familiar with the theory. Having a set of knowledgeable eyes with you to help you apply what you read is invaluable, but it never hurts to do some research outside of lessons. Here are some websites that might help answer your questions.

The Art of Classical Riding--Dressage Training for Horse and Rider
::: Sustainable Dressage - - Welcome to my Site about Sustainable Dressage! :::
Lesson 1 - not a lot of people know that - Classical dressage
Classical Dressage Notebook - Putting Theory Into Practice
Feature Articles: Horse Training and Riding

Good luck!

You know, not to be offensive but my instructor is a proffesional rider and eventer. I guess that I was just doing it all wrong. Scoutrider: I've read lots on dressage. My instructor just saw me getting real frustrated and I guess she didnt want to be too hard on me. But you're right... Im being WAYYY to hard on that horse and yes, its the same horse that has manner problems. Ill try to improve. Im having a private lesson next week so that will give me some one-on-one time with my instructor so that we can solve the problems. Aside from the instructor changing thing, I totally agree with you all. I also have to admit that I don't like dressage all that much, so its my fault. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Since you posted this in the dressage section I will respond.

While eventers can be good riders and instructors most don't like dressage and it shows when they compete. Many instructors that event simply don't have the DRESSAGE expertise to handle problems that fall outside the norm or where a more insightful teacher can see.

This is not a bash on your instructor but to put you on a horse that clearly has problems and ridden by a multitude of people all of which give the horse different aids for the same thing is not being helpful to your progress.

Your horse has the " I am a school horse and only if you really know what you are doing will I respond" outlook.

To try to do dressage on this type of horse where you must be in tune with a WILLING horse means you are fighting the current and being swept back...unfortunately this will continue.

Take this horse out of the school where it can be worked on one on one is the only cure.

Stella, I can feel your pain. While it is important for a beginner to be on a relatively safe horse, it is also not fair to expect you to learn something as precise as dressage on a sour school horse who will blatantly ignore basic cues.
We have all been on a horse like that at some point, and while those with more experience and finesse can overcome it, it is much harder for those who are still learning balance, position, and the finer nuances of riding to deal with.
Maybe your instructor will allow you to 'mix it up', ride different horses during lessons, and hopefully you will find one who is a bit softer on its cues until you are ready to ride more assertively.
Best of luck!

Hmmmm... Spyder, so should I post only in Dressage section to get your valuable response?

Can't agree more.

Stella, it's not about bashing the instructor, but while she may be a great rider she may be not very experienced dealing with beginners. And it's NOT your fault BTW, because you are LEARNING, although I really respect you for taking it as your fault (too many people blame horses, instructors, weather conditions, etc. ). The number one for any the good instructor is safety. If you feel you don't have progress or you have problems with the horse, something is wrong there.

LOL ... no just that on a subject like this which could easily apply to any school horse in any discipline, anyone can answer and they have done so.