Dressage?!

[prissy18]

So I think I may wanna try dessage next year. Abby has quite the trot and pretty movement. Just simple training level. Can someone please explain everything I will need to know please? Also will I be able to use her show bridle for this. I ride her in a double. Its the only thing she likes. Other then her training bit. Thanks I am a bit dumb about dressage just wanna try it. Yes I know there was a thread just on this but not everything I need to know on it.

[WashingtonBay]

Can someone please explain everything I will need to know please?

Not possibly! That would take a whole book, dear. :)

I will say no, you can't ride her in a double bridle in training level.... plain snaffle until the upper levels.

Seriously, if you're interested, I would browse a book store or amazon for a book on basic dressage to start, and then probably find someone to start lessons with.

Good luck, a little dressage training will help nearly any horse, and nearly any rider. :)

[Rabid_Raccoon]

Not possibly! That would take a whole book, dear.

A whole library of books! One may work to start though... :p

I like WB's suggestion of finding a book. Also, are you going to be taking lessons in dressage, or just self-learning? I just started learning it myself, so I'm afraid I'm not too much help. My suggestion would be to learn as much about it as possible, watch videos of the professionals (youtube is great) and if you can, take lessons from a good instructor. Good luck!

[prissy18]

I can get lessons. Just she dosent know to much about dressage. Abby wont ride in a snaffle. Has to be twisted. My horse is a weirdo lol

[WashingtonBay]

She's not weird, she's just hot, and perhaps used to giving you quite a bit of backtalk about the bridle. Well, part of good dressage lessons would be to teach you both how to school in a plain snaffle. It would be good for you both, but they have to be dressage lessons.

And a good book. :)

[Horserider]

I agree, get a book and take some lessons. I always liked dressage, though I know some people find it boring. Never been higher than Intro (which is walk/trot) but I know a little bit about Training.

I've got photocopies of 2007 Training 1, 2, 3, and 4 tests. Let's see...working trot, 20m circles at trot and canter, working canter both leads, medium walk and free walk (which is when you have to let the reins go slack and the horse is supposed to put it's head down and stretch out). You might be able to find a video of a Training test on YouTube.

I don't think double bridles are legal at low levels, but I'll check.

ETA: Googled. According to one site, the double bridle is now allowed at third level (sounds like a recent change though) http://www.equiery.com/archives/Dressage/DoubleBridle.pdf According to another, double bridles are only allowed at fourth level and up.

[prissy18]

WB so its just how she is her old owner couldnt ride her in one either. Abby will run through it.
I am gonna do some research later.

[WashingtonBay]

She'll run through it until she, and you, are trained otherwise. Believe me, she's no stronger than the big warmblood stallions who all start out in snaffle bits at the low levels. They move up into double bridles later not because they NEED the stronger bit, but because they need the precision of more complex bridle cues.

The whole point in dressage is the training process. It's not the competition, its schooling and exercises to improve their softness, willingness, and movement, and your riding. The tests and competitions are just where you prove that training process, they aren't the end goal. The training is.

That's why you need a book, for the background understanding of the goals and methodology, and why you need skilled specific lessons in order to start. :)

[KittySawrus]

Lessons! I would freak if I entered a dressage show without advice from someone who's been there, done it and has a rosette to prove it.I dunno what the US rules are for bits but it certainly sounds like a bit of schooling needs done, that or find a bit that's strong but legal in dressage.
Or are there any unaff. tests you could do where you could ride in your normal bit? Also, do you ride with all the reins on your double or can you whack a converter on...or am I thinking of a different bit there....oh maybe, ignore that part.
I dunno if it's just riding schools in the UK, where anyone can enter any horse at any level in any bit and it's pretty much purely for experience & the fun of it. If there were any shows like that I'd have a go.

[Jump The Moon]

I believe there is a thread similar to this with a few questions that may help, here is the link:

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?p=214587#post214587

I'd say get a good trainer, and some decent books and read-up. Atleast then you can understand the vocab/terminology your trainer may use. :) Good luck with it, and, snaffle bridles are required for lower levels. Only at the higher levels may you ride in a double bridle.

ETA: Not that I am an expert in dressage, but I like to think I know a little these days. :)

[prissy18]

Lessons! I would freak if I entered a dressage show without advice from someone who's been there, done it and has a rosette to prove it.I dunno what the US rules are for bits but it certainly sounds like a bit of schooling needs done, that or find a bit that's strong but legal in dressage.
Or are there any unaff. tests you could do where you could ride in your normal bit? Also, do you ride with all the reins on your double or can you whack a converter on...or am I thinking of a different bit there....oh maybe, ignore that part.
I dunno if it's just riding schools in the UK, where anyone can enter any horse at any level in any bit and it's pretty much purely for experience & the fun of it. If there were any shows like that I'd have a go.

No we ride in all reins. BUt our work bit is weird looking. We only ride in the double to show. :)

[Remali]

You have to ride in a snaffle for the lower levels.

I would suggest trying a few dressage lessons. And in the meantime, check out any books and videos by Jane Savoie.....she's wonderful! I have both of these books, they're easy to understand and have lots of good pictures.

Oh heck....I don't know why that ended up like it did....I wanted to provide a link to the book but this all popped up..... grrrr....

Amazon.com: Cross-Train Your Horse: Book One: Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Sport (Bk. 1) (9781570760464): Jane Savoie, Lynn Palm Pittion-Rossillon: Books

[WashingtonBay]

Amazon does that to their links. It is a link to the book.... just fancier :)

[Horserider]

Ooooo I've never seen that happen before. (the Amazon thing)