No horse is born as a dressage horse-it is trained for this. Not every horse is qualified to become a dressage horse up to high level classes. If a horse is capable of becoming a dressage horse, depends on the physique, the natural gait and not least the charisma of the horse.

The purpose of dressage riding is to keep a horse resilient and physically healthy through specific training. Regardless if the horse is a dressage horse, jumper, or hobby horse – each horse should be able to reach its highest performance level, and find its equilibrium through specific training with its rider. Otherwise horses, especially dressage horses, may be worn out by one-sided strain, similar to professional athletes.

Even today, Gustav Steinbrecht’s motto applies not only for the training of dressage horses but also for all other horses “Ride your horse forwards and keep it straight”. Today the basis of dressage training respectively specific training is the levels (scale) of training. The training goals are built upon each other.

Rhythm, suppleness, accepting the bridle, impetus, straightening, collection, each one of these is a stepping stone required for the next level(in the scale). Individually seen, each initially serves to get the horse used to the rider. Later the development of consistent thrust from the hind quarters and finally the change from thrust to carrying capacity. A dressage horse trained and worked according to these levels (scale) follows responsively the aids of the rider without overburdening individual body parts.

Item five on the training levels (scale) affects the work of straightening, makes the horse use all four legs equally on straight and curved lines – in amplification as well as in collection.

The straight dressage horse will not elude the necessary responsiveness for collection, by evading sidewise, due to uneven acceptance of the bridle and one-sided weight increase. –Difficult dressage tests require a high degree of collection.

© www.germanhorses.com   Donnerstag, 18. Februar 2010 22:44 wintermuehle