Knowledge is power. It’s always in your best interests to fully understand the dressage tests before you compete. Take time to review and there will be no surprises, so let’s take a closer look at Basic Level Tests 1 and 2.
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Whether your discipline is dressage, reining, western pleasure or you simply enjoy a nice trail...
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You’ve probably already figured out that you can do the same dressage maneuvers in a Western saddle that you can do in a “regular” dressage saddle. This reminds me of our Western Dressage motto, “Why Not?!” I’ve been saying that since I learned of the vast interests in Western Dressage at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
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I recently saw an article video on YouTube by another recognized trainer suggested that,...
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The word Partnership conjures up a notion that there is harmony between you and your horse. We...
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Dressage is the only way to naturally train Western horses of any breed. After all, a horse is a horse! You don’t have to train differently just because you use an English or Western saddle.
We must remember that “Dressage” is a French word that means “training of animals.” Dressage is a foundational way to teach a horse according to his natural instincts, behaviors, personality and temperament.
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“It’s Never, Ever the Horse’s Fault” has been my slogan for many years now. One of the biggest and...
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After spending a good deal of time in the last few years working with beginning and returning...
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Western Dressage can benefit any Western horse, no matter what discipline you ride. Riders who compete in breed shows will find that adding Western Dressage to their repertoire improves their horse’s performance in those other disciplines.
Let’s say you’ve been showing in Western pleasure or trail classes. Introductory Level dressage skills are for horses and riders that are proficient in the walk and trot
I personally do not believe in giving treats when training because a horse is a very easily conditioned animal. When I was located at a training facility that I drove to every morning, my horses would nicker and come running up to the end of the paddock because they recognized the sound of my diesel engine even before they saw the truck. It became a conditioned response for them. Most people thought that was nice and that they loved me but actually they knew that once I got there, they would soon be fed. They also got to be aggressive, running into the stall, nickering and basically yelling feed me, feed me, feed me.
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