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Specializing in dressage

5K views 43 replies 8 participants last post by  Skyseternalangel 
#1 ·
I have been wanting to do dressage for a while now, but I was wandering at what stage in your riding did you go from learning general riding skills to being specialized in one area. I can walk, trot and I am learning the canter, but I have lots of bad habits that I am finding very hard to correct.

Do you have to be able to w/t/c before you go into one area of riding, and would it be a lot more expensive? The stables that I am at say that they can teach competition level dressage, but they always have me in a group with people that are much younger than me and are always wanting to "Jump, Jump, Jump!" and the stables don't seem that keen on having people in private lessons. This is where I go for lessons:
About Us | General

Any thoughts? Should I wait and see where I am in a year or so's time and then think about going onto dressage?
 
#2 ·
I have been wanting to do dressage for a while now, but I was wandering at what stage in your riding did you go from learning general riding skills to being specialized in one area. I can walk, trot and I am learning the canter, but I have lots of bad habits that I am finding very hard to correct.

Do you have to be able to w/t/c before you go into one area of riding, and would it be a lot more expensive? The stables that I am at say that they can teach competition level dressage, but they always have me in a group with people that are much younger than me and are always wanting to "Jump, Jump, Jump!" and the stables don't seem that keen on having people in private lessons. This is where I go for lessons:
About Us | General

Any thoughts? Should I wait and see where I am in a year or so's time and then think about going onto dressage?

You can start anytime.

HOWEVER to make any serious progress you should have your own horse and be able to do W/T/C reasonable comfortable.

Most people have bad habits ( even dressage riders) but dressage will help you to become more aware of them and be better able to make corrections that produce CONSISTENT reactions from your horse.

Having a trainer that know at least up to the medium level would also be something that you should have to be your eyes on the ground and direct to in the right direction when you go off track so to speak.

It sounds to me like your stable does not have the environment needed to properly get ahead in this discipline and only you can make a choice on what to do from now on.
 
#3 ·
I'm finding it hard to know weather this stables is good for me or not. Its certainly better than the one I used to go to, and they teach me how to tack up and groom, but they don't seem to have an aim for what they are teaching. I'm finding it hard to progress and I don't think I have got any better at cantering in the last month or so. That's partly the reason that my mum has stopped my lessons for a few weeks, because she isn't too sure the stables are doing whats best for me. The stable owner even admitted that the group i'm in isn't best for me, but she hasn't done anything to change it.

The problem is I can't find any good stables that are near to me and all the very good dressage instructors want people to have their own horse (like you said) and are probably very expensive!

There's no way that I will be able to afford my own horse, my mum can only just afford my lessons.

Its hard to know what to do, the stables I'm at aren't doing the best for me, but I can't find anywhere else to go. Maybe I'll just have to wait until I'm older and can possibly afford my own horse.
 
#8 ·
I'm finding it hard to know weather this stables is good for me or not. Its certainly better than the one I used to go to, and they teach me how to tack up and groom, but they don't seem to have an aim for what they are teaching.

There's no way that I will be able to afford my own horse, my mum can only just afford my lessons.

Its hard to know what to do, the stables I'm at aren't doing the best for me, but I can't find anywhere else to go. Maybe I'll just have to wait until I'm older and can possibly afford my own horse.
Can you find a lease horse (or a free lease) that you could take private lessons with? I would look at a different barn. Too many large barns treat lessons like a business transaction rather than a training and learning environment.

Where are you at if you don't mind me asking.?

I don't blame your mom for wanting to stop paying for lessons for those few weeks :/ It doesn't sound like a good learning experience for you.

After every lesson, I have at LEAST five new things to work on, and 3 things to 'perfect.' And a big ol grin on my face and a happy content horse. Try to find that !

And I agree with these ladies below. You can start anytime. I don't even know how to canter yet! But it does help having my own horse. It does really help to have a trainer with experience in dressage showing and hunters. The more the better!

I think for basic dressage, you can start any time. Dressage in reality is the basis for most disciplines anyway the same way that Ballet is the basis for most other types of dance.
No, you don't have to know. Moreover if you learn something incorrectly it'll take even more time to re-learn it, while if you start from blank scratch you just learn and progress.
 
#4 ·
I think for basic dressage, you can start any time. Dressage in reality is the basis for most disciplines anyway the same way that Ballet is the basis for most other types of dance.

I think it's odd that your stable says they can teach competition level dressage, that doesn't make sense to me, especially if they are putting you in hunter/jumper classes. Although many aspects are the same as flatwork for hunters, dressage has it's differences too. I used to show hunters back in the 90's and when I bought Cin a couple of years ago (after not owning a horse for 15 years) I decided to go into dressage and there was a bit of a transition, especially since hunter you are much more forward sitting on your horse and when I started dressage I felt like my trainer was making me lay on my back on his butt because it such a different posture.

I say go for it, but I think maybe you should do a little more research on dressage and what you want to learn in order to find a trainer that will teach you correctly for what you want to do. The things that a trainer specializes in can make all the difference and in my opinion (I've had some recent bad experience with a trainer), a trainer can tell you ANYTHING they want, and that they know or can do anything. It's your job to do your research and deem weather or not you should trust in what they say. Ask for References from other dressage riders who have trained with them.
 
#5 ·
Do you have to be able to w/t/c before you go into one area of riding, and would it be a lot more expensive?

Any thoughts? Should I wait and see where I am in a year or so's time and then think about going onto dressage?
No, you don't have to know. Moreover if you learn something incorrectly it'll take even more time to re-learn it, while if you start from blank scratch you just learn and progress.

Spyder, I disagree about "serious progress" and knowing W/T/C. Total beginner learning to W/T/C correctly in, say, a year makes a HUGE progress IMHO. It all depends on what your purpose is. However, I agree you either want to pay more to ride good horses, or you better have your own horse. Unfortunately lots of lesson horses are not very light and are bouncy, which makes it tougher to learn on. Although that may be still OK if you just learning the very basic stuff.
 
#6 ·
Spyder, I disagree about "serious progress" and knowing W/T/C.
I used the word "serious progress" in connection to having your own horse. on purpose because while you can learn correctly within the first year, a rank beginner learning the three main gaits rarely if ever attains poise,and knowledge required to go much beyond the basics that are taught on school horses alone. Certainly they could be taught correctly but school horses have never been the best vehicle to learn the nuances that are needed to go beyond the lowest level.
 
#9 ·
Personally I think it's great you're getting into dressage, but you haven't really mentioned what you're experience is. If you're just getting into things don't limit yourself to just dressage- the world is your oyster!

It is easier on your own horse, I was lucky enough to buy a horse from a friend on the cheap and he turned out to be a fab school master. Any horse can teach you the basics whether it be a school master or a greenie but that depends on your level of riding too.

Looking at the website I would say there is no problems, you don't need a WB to do dressage and cobs do pretty well too, to learn the basics. Walk trot canter change the volocity of the gait, school figures, working a horse correctly from behind and on the contact.

These are all things that come with time and practise, it doesn't come over night. Work on it, enjoy it and do loads of different things. Keep us updated and good luck!
 
#11 ·
It looks like a nice stable and yet, it does look like the trainer is primarily H/J. I know it says she competes in dressage, but I find it odd that it says Intermediate/Advanced dressage. Maybe the levels are called something different there but I am familiar with Intro, Training level, then Levels 1,2,3, etc. Not beg, intermediate, advanced? I'm confused. But you are in a different country, so... I would ask other people what they think.

I also think you or your mom, or maybe both of you need to get an appointment with the trainer and have a SERIOUS talk about what your, and your mom's expectations are and where you want to go with your riding. Find out from the trainer her reasoning for having you where she does (maybe she wants to build your confidence a little more first or something) and then come up with a plan together that satisfies you. Or, if the trainer doesn't want to go the direction you want to go in, then maybe it's time to move on.

In my experience there are some WONDERFUL trainers out there. But, some of those trainers only get you so far, and then you need to move on. Sort of like the rungs of a ladder. While one is fine and dandy and does the job for that step, you can't move on until you step up a little more to another one.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Vergo, if you were ever put on horse that bucked under you if you did something wrong, changing the place/trainer is clearly the way to go. Did you look into other barns in area? And did you take private or group lessons?

I have 2 horses of my own, however I'm taking jumping lessons at the moment on the lesson horses. While they are not as light and responsive as my own mares they know their job packing and teaching a beginner in jumping (me :wink: ). And believe it or not I'm learning. :) So I want to repeat one thing: if you don't progress and don't feel confident, change the trainer.

Good luck!
 
#14 ·
I think a while ago when my mum was watching my lesson, the stable owner talked to my mum for ages and talked about how the group I was in wasn't right for me and how I would do better with people a similar age. she never did anything about it though.

The problem with talking to my instructor is that there are three people that teach me. The stable owner, and the two people that work there. I never know who is going to be teaching my lesson and if I talk to one of them, the other two might not know what I told them.

I'm not sure about what the dressage levels are called here. :?

Is it not that normal for horses to buck/kick out often then? I suppose I just get used to it, and I'm always told it is because of where my leg is. The was one horse, Nelly, who bit me when I was tacking up, when I was brushing her I couldn't push down hard because she was sensitive and when I got on her she kept spinning round so people had to give her food to make her stand still. She bucked me off when I was trotting, but I haven't been on her again.

I don't think there are three things to work on with my cantering, the only thing that I get told to work on it to keep my leg forward.
I really like the idea of a lease, I'll defiantly keep looking for one! Thanks for the websites, I'll look at them now :)
 
#15 ·
Is it not that normal for horses to buck/kick out often then? I suppose I just get used to it, and I'm always told it is because of where my leg is. The was one horse, Nelly, who bit me when I was tacking up, when I was brushing her I couldn't push down hard because she was sensitive and when I got on her she kept spinning round so people had to give her food to make her stand still. She bucked me off when I was trotting, but I haven't been on her again.

I don't think there are three things to work on with my cantering, the only thing that I get told to work on it to keep my leg forward.
I really like the idea of a lease, I'll defiantly keep looking for one! Thanks for the websites, I'll look at them now :)
You're welcome. I would NEVER put anyone on a horse known for bucking if they're learning how to ride! Even seasoned riders.. not okay!

I hope that you find a good lease :)
 
#17 ·
I thought from the beginning that someone has been taken advantage of.

Some people just see dollar signs when some people walk in. And that is not to say the OP is naive but she is ignorant on what she should be getting for her dollar.
 
#20 ·
#22 ·
#23 · (Edited)
I always suggest that you learn to have a go at everything before specialising in any discipline. I see young riders at Pony Club really missing out on so much fun because they or their parents decide they need to specialise.

From the day you get on the horse for the first time you are learning dressage - dresage is all about schooling and having the horse obedient and light to your aids. A well schooled horse is a pleasure to ride and all schooling improves the way the horse goes in other disciplines.

Horses requiring a confident rider are often those that may be a little tricky - this may just be because the horse is a bit sharp, may like to shy at its shadow or it may like to jog or reef or go strong out on a ride. It may also have worse problems that only a confident rider can deal with.

Currently you are confident because you are riding kind horses that are understanding of the needs of a novice rider. What you don't want to happen is to find yourself on a horse that says "NO I don't want to hack out down the road" Confidence can be shattered very easily by one stroppy horse.
 
#25 ·
Currently you are confident because you are riding kind horses that are understanding of the needs of a novice rider. What you don't want to happen is to find yourself on a horse that says "NO I don't want to hack out down the road" Confidence can be shattered very easily by one stroppy horse.
Sometimes im not confident though, when I was put on Nelly I was really nervous as the had bit me when I was tacking her up, she was really sensitive to rein contact and then, maybe because I was so nervous, she bucked me off when we were trotting. :? Its probably best I don't go on a horse that needs a confident rider.

The reason I would like to do dressage is to be able to do things properly as the stables that I go to sometimes tell me conflicting things, especially as I have different instructors. For example, I have been told when going into canter that I should put my outside leg behind the girth, that I should keep my legs where they are and that I should move my legs forward by three different people.

How can I create a horse that is light to aids when we are told to give a big kick before giving a squeeze? One girl in my lesson was on a horse that doesn't like going into canter. She was told to give him a smack with the whip in walk so that he would wake up and canter nicely. Surely that doesn't teach him anything? Isn't that being punished for something he doesn't even know he was supposed to do?

I have done jumping but I'm not that keen on it, especially as no one seems to be teaching me properly. At my fist stables I was doing three 2ft jumps in a row and I was lucky to be staying on my horse. Now at the currant stables when I am in a lesson with people that jump I am expected to be able to jump and when I am in a group with people that are learning to jump that is when I can learn about two point and positions.
 
#24 ·
When they say "requires confident rider" as long as YOU are confident you can get on this horse and ride, you're golden. If you feel you could be more confident, then obviously not the horse to ride.

Just make sure you're honest with yourself :)
 
#26 ·
The correct aids for canter are - Sitting trot, Inside leg at the girth, Outside leg behind the girth, useing the outside one a little stronger to ask the horse to bring the outside hindleg forward first - this sets the sequence of legs in canter.

Instructors often know the horses thay are teaching with well and the horse in question may be a little dead to the leg which is why the rider was told to use the whip. Horse has probebly been ignoring the riders aids all through the lesson.

Talk to your instructor about your jumping level and a good instructor will go throught he correct position and build up to the bigger jumps or jumps in a row.
For your jumping position, first take up your stirrups a couple of holes, this places your thigh ahead of you more and this will strengthen your position, fold your body forward from the hips, keeping your back straight, fold until your shoulders are in a vertical line with your knees and toes, you butt will need to move back a little. You will now need to shorten your reins to be able to keep your hands ahead of you. Make sure your eyes are up and looking beyond the jump. This is your basic well balanced jumping position, approach the jumps in this position, keep the horse moving forward and let the jump come to you.
 
#27 ·
thanks for the advice.

I don't think I will be doing jumping soon as I think it was just for a few lessons because of the other people that happened to be in my group, but when I do start doing jumps I will make sure I ask her before she sends us all off to go over the jumps.
 
#28 ·
I had my lesson today. My mum didn't want to say anything to them this lesson because I haven't been there in three weeks and they might have changed. No such luck. I was with the girl I am normally in a lesson with who is on the worst behaved horse ever. He will not go into canter without doing a running trot for two laps and bucking. Even when he is in canter she had to keep kicking him to keep him going!

It's hard to know what to do, because I like the instructor I have at the moment because she is good at teaching and speaks clearly (I'm almost deaf in one ear so when my bad ear is on the inside I struggle to hear sometimes without turning my head) .The other two instructors that work at the stables are in their early 20's and are still learning how to teach and sometimes aren't good at giving feedback. The people I'm in the group with aren't working for me though. My mum said she might phone them up to ask if they have any other lessons that I can go into, but the risk with doing that is that I will end up with the not so good instructors. :? I have to choose between being in this group with a naughty pony but a good instructor or another group that might be better for me with a worse instructor.

This lesson went well though (but I only did two laps of cantering :-(). My first canter was really good, my legs were in the right place, Charlie was slow and he didn't buck. The only thing that was bad was that he cut the corners. On the next canter it all went terrible because he knew we were going to canter so got all hyped up and was cantering before I had even got a nice trot. He went way to fast and I was bouncing all over the place. I keep getting told to pull back on the reins and that I won't hurt him but I know that it can hurt him so I don't like to pull back really hard.

We also did loads of trotting and my ankle was really hurting after about 10 minutes! (it was ok once we stopped doing all the trotting though) Probably because I haven't ridden in so long.

My mum is still not conviced we should change stables, and I feel bad half wanting to leave because I know that they are struggling for money, but if they won't train their horses to be responsive or won't move me to a group more my age and ability we might have to move.
 
#29 ·
Sounds like that girl's horse is in pain or is too green to be cantering... is it HER personal horse, or a school horse?

Also.. I don't think kicking the tar out of a horse to keep it going will help the bucking either, gotta use your seat :/

Well done on you though! The second time your horse was expecting it to happen so he sped up to 'fall' into the canter and probably because he was excited after seeing the other horse, too..

I'm sure it'll get better cantering the horse for you :)

Maybe your mom is seeing something you aren't.. that is worth staying put with. Also, it's not the quantity of cantering, it's the quality. The more quality happens, the longer you can stick with it.
 
#30 ·
The horse she rides is a school horse. He won't move unless he is kicked, he hates going into canter. I don't know how old he is so he might be green, a lot of the horses people are put on are quite young. I was once on a 5 year old for a few lessons.

At school I am friend's with a girl who rides Charlie and she said she rode him the other day and he was bucking and even reared, and she was talking about it like it was fun to be on a horse that's bucking. She said when he bucks, she smacks him with the whip, and if he bucks again, then she smacks him again and she keeps doing that until he stops bucking. Is that the right thing to do?

Charlie is really bad a bucking/kicking. When I do the girth up he kicks so someone has to stand with me and hits him with a whip when he does that.

I suppose it is quality not quantity, but when I am told that I need to improve something, I want to try out the advice but I have to wait a whole week to do so.
 
#31 ·
I have no real experience with bucking.. but I do know that they can't buck without having their head down low (for leverage) so if she makes sure the head stays up and the weight stays in his hind, then he can't buck. Maybe crow hop.. but not buck.

But in either scenario, I am no expert so take my advice lightly.

And you're absolutely right, quality wins every time. And no worries :) gives you a week to process everything you're learning on here :)
 
#36 ·
Its just that it would be hard to do that because he tends to buck when I am going into canter and I am too busy consentrating on giving aids to canter and trying to do a good sitting trot to think about keeping his head up.

Thanks for the advice though, if I ever feel like he is going to buck then I will do that :)
 
#39 ·
Well, I think riding a lease horse (a beginner safe one) and just practicing what you know on it.. will show you where you truly are in YOUR riding (not the horse's training) even if it's for one ride. It's worth trying.

I've been there.. and it can be so frustrating. Life is much nicer having my horse to learn and ride on, knowing his tendencies and being able to change how I am to tell him what I want to happen, which makes the ride better for both of us.

I really do think you need to switch though :/ you're getting time in the saddle but it's not at all going to help you be a good rider in the long run because you aren't given a chance to LEARN.. to PROGRESS.

Believe me.. I have ridden for 9 years now! I tell people that and they think "WOW SHE MUST BE SO GOOD" yeah no. 7 of those 9 were under terrible circumstances.. a range of instructors who tore my confidence apart, were downright dangerous in the lack of care, and other stuff... PLUS the horses. Those poor dears were so DONE with being lesson horses. They'd rip your hand off and risk being whipped just to spend a few minutes grazing. It was sad.. for both of us. I couldn't even walk a horse bareback without freaking out and clenching and feeling like I was going to fall off. And these people had me "loping" (I didn't do a thing.. I just sat and held on for dear life) and galloping and JUMPING! At age 8, 9 and 10!

Find a good trainer.. become a good rider. Enjoy riding more!!
 
#40 ·
Well, I had my lesson today. I was on Charlie again and he was good being tacked up (but I was told not to bother picking his feet out) and didn't kick out when the girth was does up (but he did throw his head around a bit). There were three other people in my lesson, all below 10 and on small ponies. I was usually at the front but when I was at the back (like when we cantered to the back of the ride) it was really hard to get Charlie going slow. When I went into trot once I only squeezed lighting but he whizzed off and went into canter. I was getting told to pull on my reins and I had to heave with all my might to get him to go back into trot. I really don't like doing that Then we did a bit of cantering in a circle and I did ok at that but again, I have to keep half halting and really pull on the reins. When I was untacking my instructor took his bridle off because when I do it he tends to walk off. He didn't buck today which is a good thing though. He did keep throwing his head around in halt, and I got told to ignore it, but when I persisted with asking what I should do I just got told to let him have all the rein. He will not stop moving his head until he has ALL the rein, even if I take up a few inches of rein he will go insane. There was also a bit of corner cutting and not listening to my legs and even my reins

I have asked my mum about moving stable and she isn't too keen on it. I told her about all the misbehaviour and she said maybe I just need to be more firm. I told her about having to heave on the reins and she said that maybe that is showing him that I’m in control and that the instructors know the horses better than I do. But I do know that it's not good to have to heave on a horse’s mouth! She isn't feeling too well at the moment so now isn't the best time to be discussing new stables but I think that she believes that as long as I am progressing (no matter how little) then I'm fine. I did ask if I could have just one lesson at a different stables but she seems to think that they will put on a good show for the first few lessons but then be like the one I currently go to. But I don't think that’s true, they can't cover up a horse that won't do as he is told.
 
#42 ·
Well, I had my lesson today. I was on Charlie again and he was good being tacked up (but I was told not to bother picking his feet out) and didn't kick out when the girth was does up (but he did throw his head around a bit). There were three other people in my lesson, all below 10 and on small ponies. I was usually at the front but when I was at the back (like when we cantered to the back of the ride) it was really hard to get Charlie going slow. When I went into trot once I only squeezed lighting but he whizzed off and went into canter. I was getting told to pull on my reins and I had to heave with all my might to get him to go back into trot. I really don't like doing that Then we did a bit of cantering in a circle and I did ok at that but again, I have to keep half halting and really pull on the reins. When I was untacking my instructor took his bridle off because when I do it he tends to walk off. He didn't buck today which is a good thing though. He did keep throwing his head around in halt, and I got told to ignore it, but when I persisted with asking what I should do I just got told to let him have all the rein. He will not stop moving his head until he has ALL the rein, even if I take up a few inches of rein he will go insane. There was also a bit of corner cutting and not listening to my legs and even my reins

I have asked my mum about moving stable and she isn't too keen on it. I told her about all the misbehaviour and she said maybe I just need to be more firm. I told her about having to heave on the reins and she said that maybe that is showing him that I’m in control and that the instructors know the horses better than I do. But I do know that it's not good to have to heave on a horse’s mouth! She isn't feeling too well at the moment so now isn't the best time to be discussing new stables but I think that she believes that as long as I am progressing (no matter how little) then I'm fine. I did ask if I could have just one lesson at a different stables but she seems to think that they will put on a good show for the first few lessons but then be like the one I currently go to. But I don't think that’s true, they can't cover up a horse that won't do as he is told.
Also, is it right for a pony to open its mouth when they aer slowing down? I notice the pony another girl rides in my lesson opened his mouth when the girl was getting him to stop.

You mean like this:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...479015374657_659044656_10734811_4967652_n.jpg

Or more like this:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...77918668003_1238602171_31693150_5737047_n.jpg

They both are trying to evade the pressure.. since the first one is me.. he wouldn't halt with my body so I put some pressure on the bit (back when I was really green) until he stopped.

Well.. as long as you're getting saddle time, that's the important thing..
 
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