How do you think she would do in dessage??

She is collecting nicely and i can see that ur not holding it in like some idiots do so thats very good, dressage judges will notice that. She needs to work more from behind and reach out a little more with her back legs (: hope this helps

How can she be nicely collected and not pulled down by the hands, if that horse is - as you admit - not working with its hindquarters properly. That doesn't make sense at all. And you can clearly see the open mouth.

@HorsesAreForever: You can't really tell from a picture, so why don't put in a video? And by the way, 'head down' isn't everything for dressage, especially in competitions for beginners. Improve your seat, first! That's so important and gets forgotten all the time... By the way, the horse I used to ride was just as hard in the mouth was you described your horse (if not worse..) - try to start bending her and reducing your rein impulses, that helps alot. I don't know what you call it in english, but if she lowers her head only a few milimeters and gets lighter in the hand, you have to assure her that she's doing the right thing by giving her a little rein. Never forget riding ahead! By which I mean that she shouldn't lose her tact (that's what you call it in english?) She shouldn't be fast, but energetic, means using her hind quarters. In trot her hind hoofs should be in or over the prints of the front hoofs without becoming too fast. She should learn to stretch herself foreward/downwars before beeing collected.

That for a start. I would recommend you a good book, but I don't know any english ones.

THANK YOU! equine fanatics!! :) At least SOMEONE can see that teh other rein is completely loose.

If I was holding he head downing wouldnt BOTH reins be tight?!

Oh dear lord! I said DONT critique me! I was being lazy and just having fun dont you ever have FUN rides? honestly you people.

Chance is extrememly soft and sensative to the mouth, she will have her moments were she will lean as if saying no Im looking over here or something, and all I have to do is put my leg on her and take up the inside rein. It has nothing to do with her mouth.

We are working on getting her more forward and reaching more .... like I said before..

She can be more forward, but she doesnt hold the head set. Even there she needs to be more forward. Ignore my legs this was after a canter to trot transition so my legs slipped forward.


im starting to regret posting this now.. I was going for build wise.. or with more trainin how she could do.. not nit pick at everthing. It was a fun ride and wasn't being particular about everything.

If you don't like nit picking - then dressage is not the sport for you. In dressage 1/2 inch difference of the position of a hand or leg can be the difference between performing a movement correctly and incorrectly.
For most beginner dressage riders a suitable horse is something with 4 legs. Most of the first dare I say 5 years of dressage training should be completely about the rider and educating them. The word dressage is french for "to train" and without the rider knowing exactly what is going on at every step, the horse can not be trained to improve every step.

As far as for "how will my horse do in dressage?" I think that you would be lucky to show her at first level and place in the middle of the pack. She is not ideally built for dressage, nor does she have the movement or training. She is very unsteady in the contact and has issues stretching through and using her back. The chances of her truly collecting to a competition level are very slim. But she does look like a good horse to learn on, because she won't jar your position around so you can really focus on perfect equitation. You will find that as your riding improves, so will your horse. Our horses are mirrors of us, if we are doing even one thing incorrectly we cannot expect them to do anything perfectly.

I agree with yellow's post as well. Some good authors are Sally Swift and Jane Savoie. Jane even has a YouTube channel!

Good luck!

Does doesnt have "issues" stretching through her back. She just turned 6 only been broke a year and 1/2. Learning to use her body. Ive never really taught get her stretch through her back.. so thats my fault.

She does in fact have the movement once you get her going.
Shes LEARNING.How did your horse look when JUST learning how to w.t.c under saddle or to use his/her hind. Dont tell me she doesnt have the movements.. because you havent seen her move once she gets going. I think the furthest I want to go is 1st -2nd level dressage because I do want to do hunter because thats what shes made for.

I told you about my position dont critique it! It was a carefree ride!
She does use her hind
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...chele/hind.jpg
I was half halting her here: Shes also using her back better here.


I've looked at some of Jane Savoie stuff.

Yeahhh... Case in point... Don't post asking for opinions if you don't want them.

Honestly Im sick of repeating what I said in the begining! about her hind.. or my position.

I said how do you think she would do with more training.. I wasnt saying I was gonna go put her in a show right this minute..

ty to everyone who posted HELPFUL replys! :)

I really dont think anyone needs to reply. Once I get her more forward and working better maybe Ill post a new picture. And a video.

I'm confused about what you want. Do you want us to say "Oh she's so cute! She's perfect for dressage!"

Or do you want constructive criticim to help her improve?

-sigh- here we go.

No but I dont want people to continue to repeat stuff I know.
Nor say she doesnt have the movements .. when she hasnt seen her move..

I know were not gonna be able to get in real high levels, thats a given.
My riding needs to improve and so does how she uses her body.

Im looking for maybe things that I could do with her that could help her use her hind.. etc.

The picture you posted, of her 'using her hind end?'

She isn't. The one leg is tracking far under the body; the other leg is trailing FAR behind--which means the hips are turned out.

You have a lot to learn about dressage. First thing would be listening to the people who have given you advice.

I never understand why people 'don't want criticism'.

Sure, sometimes it's hard to swallow, but you can put your fingers in your ears and go 'lalalala'--or you can man up, learn, and improve.