Improve Your Dressage With a Simple Step
Dressage is a popular horse riding activity enjoyed by many horse riders of all ages and abilities internationally.
It involves horse and rider working together for obedience, flexibility and balance.
Dressage competitions assess this through horse and rider carrying out a set routine of manoeuvres.
There are many factors that influence the dressage performance of a horse, and many exercises and training programmes designed to train horse and rider for dressage.
The horse must be supple and well balanced, responsive and obedient.
He must be happy and forward going in his work and the rider must be able to remain balanced with the horse and be able to give independent and effective aids.
An in depth discussion into every one of the various factors to be considered in order to achieve such results in dressage riding is beyond the scope of this article, but there is one common factor that is applicable not only to dressage riding but to all equestrian disciplines.
At all times, the horse needs to be able to move freely without pain or restriction in order to perform to his best.
Now this may seem obvious, and yet it is one of the most common reasons for poor performance in horses.
Although most riders would not ride a horse who is in obvious pain, sometimes it's hard to tell when the horse is uncomfortable or being restricted by the tack that is being used.
For example, using horse riding saddles that do not fit correctly or that are not suitable for the purpose of which they are being used can greatly affect performance.
On a similar note, a bit that does not fit properly or a noseband that is too tight can prevent the horse from relaxing into his work.
On the subject of horse back riding saddles for dressage, perhaps you should consider if it would be beneficial to invest in a quality dressage saddle.
At low levels of dressage or for simple flatwork this is not necessary, on the other hand, if you are serious about riding dressage as your main discipline and advancing to higher levels then it could be a worthwhile investment.
The dressage saddle has a specific design that allows horse and rider the freedom of movement needed to ride dressage movements.
A deeper seat with flatter and wider panels encourages the rider to sit deep and stay balanced whilst evenly distributing their weight.
This assists the horse to carry himself correctly and remain balanced.
Straight cut saddle flaps and stirrup bars that are placed slightly further back enable the horse plenty of freedom though the shoulder and allows the rider to keep his weight over the horses centre of gravity.
It is worth pointing out that a standard general purpose saddle is more than adequate for low level or novice dressage riding and, generally speaking, a dressage saddle is only necessary for those riders where dressage is their main discipline and are riding at more advanced levels.
This being said, a simple change such as this for more advanced dressage riding could be something that makes a big difference in improving your performance and dressage scores.
It involves horse and rider working together for obedience, flexibility and balance.
Dressage competitions assess this through horse and rider carrying out a set routine of manoeuvres.
There are many factors that influence the dressage performance of a horse, and many exercises and training programmes designed to train horse and rider for dressage.
The horse must be supple and well balanced, responsive and obedient.
He must be happy and forward going in his work and the rider must be able to remain balanced with the horse and be able to give independent and effective aids.
An in depth discussion into every one of the various factors to be considered in order to achieve such results in dressage riding is beyond the scope of this article, but there is one common factor that is applicable not only to dressage riding but to all equestrian disciplines.
At all times, the horse needs to be able to move freely without pain or restriction in order to perform to his best.
Now this may seem obvious, and yet it is one of the most common reasons for poor performance in horses.
Although most riders would not ride a horse who is in obvious pain, sometimes it's hard to tell when the horse is uncomfortable or being restricted by the tack that is being used.
For example, using horse riding saddles that do not fit correctly or that are not suitable for the purpose of which they are being used can greatly affect performance.
On a similar note, a bit that does not fit properly or a noseband that is too tight can prevent the horse from relaxing into his work.
On the subject of horse back riding saddles for dressage, perhaps you should consider if it would be beneficial to invest in a quality dressage saddle.
At low levels of dressage or for simple flatwork this is not necessary, on the other hand, if you are serious about riding dressage as your main discipline and advancing to higher levels then it could be a worthwhile investment.
The dressage saddle has a specific design that allows horse and rider the freedom of movement needed to ride dressage movements.
A deeper seat with flatter and wider panels encourages the rider to sit deep and stay balanced whilst evenly distributing their weight.
This assists the horse to carry himself correctly and remain balanced.
Straight cut saddle flaps and stirrup bars that are placed slightly further back enable the horse plenty of freedom though the shoulder and allows the rider to keep his weight over the horses centre of gravity.
It is worth pointing out that a standard general purpose saddle is more than adequate for low level or novice dressage riding and, generally speaking, a dressage saddle is only necessary for those riders where dressage is their main discipline and are riding at more advanced levels.
This being said, a simple change such as this for more advanced dressage riding could be something that makes a big difference in improving your performance and dressage scores.