DRESSAGE:

Why is it a benefit for all disciplines?

Story and Photos By Lynn Palm

Palm Partnership Training™

Building a Partnership with your Horse

Dressage is a French word that means “training.”

The concept of dressage dates back as far as 350 BC when the Athenian historian and soldier Xenophon completed his “On Horsemanship” manual.

However, it wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries that dressage began to develop as an art form.

For centuries, dressage evolved as the successful training methods developed by Europeans to improve their riders and the training of horses for war. Essentially the better schooled your horse, the better he would be in battle. However, training horses and riders for more than war became important and eventually finer techniques were developed. This was combined with a desired by nobility to be seen ‘about town’ on magnificent steeds with exaggerated movements which demonstrated their ability as horsemen. When kings and royalty wanted entertainment with horses, dressage competition came to life.

The art of dressage emerged as the training of riders on how to naturally ride with balance and to communicate from the seat, leg, and hand aids. Therefore, dressage fundamentals are: Rider balance, rider correct use of aids for communication, and the rider putting the horse in balance for performance. This combination of skills builds harmony between horse and rider and the importance of working as a team.

It became apparent that dressage works with any breed of horse and was not limited to “war horses.” Today, all breeds and disciplines benefit from dressage; from cutting, reining, and endurance to pleasure and everything in between; it’s important to understand that dressage should be a part of the rider and horse training. “Dressage” is the perfect word to signify the foundation for all riding disciplines. Dressage emphasizes the growth of skills of horse and rider, and is a “natural” way to train both.

Dressage also means respecting that the sport of correct and harmonious riding does not come easily. Also, however, like with any sport you must also understand its simplicity. And as with any sport, to master dressage at any level is only accomplished with practice and dedication; you and your horse can improve and advance together. But you must learn the steps necessary to proceed, and dressage can play an important role.

First, take a humble moment and evaluate your own riding before trying to “fix” the horse. (You might want someone to video you.) “Dressage” means in order to improve the horse, you must improve the rider! It’s not about “fixing” the horse. Too often little is considered about what the rider is doing with regard to balance and soft, light invisible aids.

It is the rider’s responsibility to ride with proper position and balance, especially with the correct position of arms/ hands and legs. Communication will become clear and consistent for the horse when the rider has perfect hands and leg positions. Horses will always give positive responses to the rider with these very important basics when given properly. Next add the seat to assist with the legs, and guiding rein aids for transitions and legs. Then by using rein aids for controlling the horse’s body alignment (straightness) and his outline, this combination of aids ultimately puts the rider and horse in balance.

Remember, the rider has to practice building a correct position and balance. He or she has to coordinate an agile way to use aids for gaits, transitions and figures. It’s also very important that the rider must ride the horse with a positive and confident attitude. Eventually the rider has to develop the strength, coordination, athleticism, and balance with the horse, while always using a consistent training program.

Developing the horse is a great challenge and includes more than swinging into the saddle. In addition to dressage, these following topics will help everyone understand their sport horse, including: Knowledge of conformation, including form to function; horse instincts; horse health; importance of turn out; development of muscles; strength of joints; hoof management; overall soundness; and correct riding techniques that develop willing horses.

Just try a bit of dressage in your training as a rider and the development of your horse — regardless of your sport. It’s all about your horse being willing and confident in performance, no matter what your riding interests and disciplines are. And remember that when you bring out the best in you, you will bring out the best in your horse!