Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Five Dressage Steps to Create a Top-Notch Western Horse
Hello, Horse Lovers!
I have always loved anything to do with riding Western. While at Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship, my favorite memories involve the weeks I spent riding the cutting and reining horses. I, however, never loved the lethargic style of western pleasure that became so popular over the years. Energy, impulsion, and an enthusiastic attitude are the trademarks of a truly Happy Horse.
Discover the secrets of Olympic Dressage Riders and Turn Your plodding Western horse into a responsive, enthusiastic Happy Horse!
It’s not possible, you say! Cowboys just don’t do “Dressage”! Imagine a “Real Cowboy” all decked out in a 3-piece suit and top hat!
After 30 years of training, I Know that it is NOT the clothes that make the difference in a horse, it is the step-by-step process that will ultimately create a willing equine partner. It should be the foundation of every type of Western horse- reining, cutting, pleasure, trail.
The accepted definition of dressage is: schooling a horse to move freely forward in a relaxed manner, with rhythm, accepting the bit, and obeying the aids of its rider. This, to me, is also the picture of an ideal Western horse.
To begin your training program, put him in an average diameter stainless steel snaffle that fits well and doesn’t pinch his cheeks. One preferred bit is the full-cheek egg-butt type that won’t pull through the horse’s mouth and/or pinch his cheeks. You can transfer your horse to an accepted Western bit when he has mastered the bend and impulsion exercises.
The use of artificial training aids is not necessary with this type of training. Nosebands, tie-downs, martingales, draw reins are forbidden in most Western events, so it is best to stay away from them. If your horse seems to need these head-control devices, he may be telling you that he is in pain somewhere or your training techniques need a bit of refinement.
The First Step calls for you to Plan each session around reaching a particular objective. Here are some recommended goals to build into your “Western Pleasure dressage” program.
1. My horse will maintain an energetic trot for 5 minutes
2. My horse will develop equal bend in both directions
3. My horse has the stamina to work 45-60
4. My horse moves forward with light leg contact
5. My horse maintains a consistent pace at the walk-jog-lope
6. My horse maintains a slow Western pace at the jog and the lope
7. My horse neckreins willingly using only leg and weight aids.
These are arranged in order of priority. I want my horse to learn about moving forward freely before I teach him to move slowly. That strategy creates a more responsive horse. Teach your horse to neck rein ONLY after he has mastered the other 6 steps. Too many people pull on the reins to steer. Well-trained Western horses only need a weight shift or light leg aids to turn. Therefore, your horse must learn about leg aids Before the neck reining work begins.
The Second Step is all about conditioning, especially for those of us in Cold Climates. A careful interval-training program uses short bursts of trotting with segments of walk. If you can manage 3-5 rides per week of about 45 minutes in length, you could easily expect to see improved stamina in a few short weeks.
The Third Step in creating a ‘dressage western horse’ is Moving your horse into a more forward version of the trot, rather than the lazy shuffle of the jog. Carry a 4’ dressage whip and only tap the horse’s flank if he breaks into a walk. Do this consistently and soon your horse will only slow down when YOU ask him to. If you spend a lot of time squeezing with your legs to speed the horse up, that only results in him learning to ignore your legs entirely. The whip improves your horse’s respect for your aids. Your horse should work at least as hard as you do!
The Fourth Step is improving your horse’s flexibility. Set up a flat work area and place cones, or other objects to define your ring boundaries. Use patterns to bend your horse from one side to another while working at a trot, rather than a jog. Set up a 40’-50’ circle with your cones and practice trotting a perfect circle. The circle is actually one of the most challenging patterns to master. Encouraging your horse to look where he is going will create softer gaits and a flexible jaw. Being accurate with bend helps the high-headed horse relax his neck muscles, which allows his head to drop.
The Fifth Step uses numerous transitions, changes of directions, and patterns to improve your Western horse’s attention span. Be specific about the location of your requests and your horse will become more specific about his responses.
As you can see, the use of dressage strategies easily creates the relaxed, cadenced horse you want to see in any Western pleasure activity. Remember that in order to go slow, your horse must learn to go fast First!!
So, Strap on your helmet and mount up. There is No Time like Now to start creating your Western Dressage Horse!
I have always loved anything to do with riding Western. While at Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship, my favorite memories involve the weeks I spent riding the cutting and reining horses. I, however, never loved the lethargic style of western pleasure that became so popular over the years. Energy, impulsion, and an enthusiastic attitude are the trademarks of a truly Happy Horse.
Discover the secrets of Olympic Dressage Riders and Turn Your plodding Western horse into a responsive, enthusiastic Happy Horse!
It’s not possible, you say! Cowboys just don’t do “Dressage”! Imagine a “Real Cowboy” all decked out in a 3-piece suit and top hat!
After 30 years of training, I Know that it is NOT the clothes that make the difference in a horse, it is the step-by-step process that will ultimately create a willing equine partner. It should be the foundation of every type of Western horse- reining, cutting, pleasure, trail.
The accepted definition of dressage is: schooling a horse to move freely forward in a relaxed manner, with rhythm, accepting the bit, and obeying the aids of its rider. This, to me, is also the picture of an ideal Western horse.
To begin your training program, put him in an average diameter stainless steel snaffle that fits well and doesn’t pinch his cheeks. One preferred bit is the full-cheek egg-butt type that won’t pull through the horse’s mouth and/or pinch his cheeks. You can transfer your horse to an accepted Western bit when he has mastered the bend and impulsion exercises.
The use of artificial training aids is not necessary with this type of training. Nosebands, tie-downs, martingales, draw reins are forbidden in most Western events, so it is best to stay away from them. If your horse seems to need these head-control devices, he may be telling you that he is in pain somewhere or your training techniques need a bit of refinement.
The First Step calls for you to Plan each session around reaching a particular objective. Here are some recommended goals to build into your “Western Pleasure dressage” program.
1. My horse will maintain an energetic trot for 5 minutes
2. My horse will develop equal bend in both directions
3. My horse has the stamina to work 45-60
4. My horse moves forward with light leg contact
5. My horse maintains a consistent pace at the walk-jog-lope
6. My horse maintains a slow Western pace at the jog and the lope
7. My horse neckreins willingly using only leg and weight aids.
These are arranged in order of priority. I want my horse to learn about moving forward freely before I teach him to move slowly. That strategy creates a more responsive horse. Teach your horse to neck rein ONLY after he has mastered the other 6 steps. Too many people pull on the reins to steer. Well-trained Western horses only need a weight shift or light leg aids to turn. Therefore, your horse must learn about leg aids Before the neck reining work begins.
The Second Step is all about conditioning, especially for those of us in Cold Climates. A careful interval-training program uses short bursts of trotting with segments of walk. If you can manage 3-5 rides per week of about 45 minutes in length, you could easily expect to see improved stamina in a few short weeks.
The Third Step in creating a ‘dressage western horse’ is Moving your horse into a more forward version of the trot, rather than the lazy shuffle of the jog. Carry a 4’ dressage whip and only tap the horse’s flank if he breaks into a walk. Do this consistently and soon your horse will only slow down when YOU ask him to. If you spend a lot of time squeezing with your legs to speed the horse up, that only results in him learning to ignore your legs entirely. The whip improves your horse’s respect for your aids. Your horse should work at least as hard as you do!
The Fourth Step is improving your horse’s flexibility. Set up a flat work area and place cones, or other objects to define your ring boundaries. Use patterns to bend your horse from one side to another while working at a trot, rather than a jog. Set up a 40’-50’ circle with your cones and practice trotting a perfect circle. The circle is actually one of the most challenging patterns to master. Encouraging your horse to look where he is going will create softer gaits and a flexible jaw. Being accurate with bend helps the high-headed horse relax his neck muscles, which allows his head to drop.
The Fifth Step uses numerous transitions, changes of directions, and patterns to improve your Western horse’s attention span. Be specific about the location of your requests and your horse will become more specific about his responses.
As you can see, the use of dressage strategies easily creates the relaxed, cadenced horse you want to see in any Western pleasure activity. Remember that in order to go slow, your horse must learn to go fast First!!
So, Strap on your helmet and mount up. There is No Time like Now to start creating your Western Dressage Horse!
