The reiner gets on a dressage horse *video*

So this was only my 3rd lesson. So far I'm absolutely in love with it! I love the horse I ride he is such a good boy.

Today it rained, and the Dressage arena was kind of wet. So we went into the big pen to work on my loosening up a little bit. I ride very huntery I guess, everything is tight.

I want to pull my legs back, hold my hands in a little box and not move them.

So she was really working on getting me to get my hands outside my comfort zone and pull my legs forward a little bit.

I know I need to work on my lower leg, and my hands need to work independently of my body. I also need to work on getting him working forward more, my leg strength is definitely going to improve this winter . And I'm posting too much I think ahha. Oh well.

You guys are free to make some suggestions if you like I'm so used to a short strided little QH not a big strided Warmblood. I'm having so much fun though, it's challenging which is great!

Oh btw the horses name is Le Gallo, he's trained up to 4th level I think. He's so patient with my ummm suckyness I guess would be the correct term.


What do you think? Can a dressage rider be made out of me?

Assuming that you are the person on the horse with the red boots, right? You are hunching over and looking down at his neck. Also make sure he is not leaning on the bit. Ideally, the poll would be the highest point on his neckline, in the video it is somewhere on his neck which isn't great. Try to keep your lower legs quiet and be more fluid with your posting. Your hands seem somewhat stiff, you want softer wrists so you can "feel" his mouth better. Really great overall for your third dressage ride, I wouldn't have guessed you were new to dressage.

Also, tell whoever is in there riding with you that they need to STOP doing that with their hands. Their horse is grossly behind the vertical and overflexing and it is very bad for the horse's neck and makes them cautious about being on the bit.

Thanks, yep I am the horse in the red boots :)
I agree with that you said, I'm a little to "huntery" I think, a habit I need to break.

I think your doing really well for only for 3rd lesson!
I don't really have anything to add, he needs to be more foward though and that will help with the leaning on the bit

I think your hands are rolling a little - small screen so I am not sure but make sure you don't roll your wrists so your thumbs are facing each other, they are meant to be facing up.

Don't lock your arms, you want a relaxed bend.

Also, watch out for crossing your inside hand over his neck when turning. Each hand stays on its own side.

Otherwise well done! I wouldn't have guessed it was your first time :)

Thank you :)

I appreciate the comments and suggestions. I'll definitely work on them next week.

I definitely need to get him working forward. The thing is it feels pretty good to me because I'm not used to a Warmblood trot. Next time I'll get after him a bit more to get moving forward.

Warmbloods really make you work for the "forward" part of the equation. Like others pointed out, the horse is behind the vertical a lot. Getting him more forward will help a little. Half halts will also help. They'll also help for when he starts to get heavy on the bit. He looks like a comfy horse to ride. He must feel really different from a QH!

I kind of know how to do a half halt but does anyone want to explain to me exactly how you do one. I have an idea, but I'm not sure if its totally right ahah.

And he feels WAY different. I went home and rode my little QH mare (she's like 14hh) and she felt like the choppiest strided horse ever. Ahha. He is very comfy. I think part of it is it feels like I'm moving out more than I am because he is so different. Like his trot is a REALLY nice trot on a QH.

I think you are looking really good so far; I don't have anything more to add, that anyone else hasn't already mentioned.