[PreppyxCowgirl]

Can someone explain to me how to teach/learn the dressage movements please?

[Chester]

Not in one post, sorry. To teach them you really do need to be able to ride them.

Is there one particular thing you wish to learn. More information on where you want this thread to go to would be of major assistance to both you and responders.

[PoochtheMighty]

chester is right.

Dressage is not trick riding.

In order to perform ANY movement in dressage, there has to be training behind it. You can't ask a kindergardner to do calculus.

[Just_me]

Dressage movements,especially lateral work,should be performed correctly or not at all.you need to have someone who can show you how to do and and correct you.I would suggest getting some lessons.unfortionatly You can`t learn riding by reading
If you just want to get a feel of it then circles,serpentines,and figure 8 with walk/trot/canter transitions can be a good start.You can think of all sorts of paterns.for example:
trot the long side
canter the short
do a half turn
walk the short side
trot the long
canter the short side
change direction through the whole arena(from one corner to the other)
pick up a canter in your next corner
do a circle(with nice bend)
yada yada yada
I guess you get the idea
later you can inclue shoulder-in,haunches out,leg yielding,travers,renvers,piroettes etc.But as i said for those moves you need lessons(lots of them cuz you can`t learn all of this in one day and especially make it look nice and easy.it takes hours of practice and hard work!).

[ridingagain]

Videos might help if you don't have access to a trainer, but feeling it in a lesson is the best way to really get it. Dressage is really more than just a set of movements you teach your horse, but almost a riding philosphy that involves bringing out the best in you and your horse through careful step by step training. While you can't learn to ride dressage from reading a book, you can learn alot about dressage itself and simple tools for being a better rider from a book. One of my favorites is Dressage In Harmony by Walter Zettl. It talks alot about achieving harmony with your horse so that when you work progressively from simple movements to more difficult, your horse learns more easily and enjoys his work more. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure others will come along with more suggestions. Good luck, you will love dressage!

[Cavalier]

To train a horse in dressage correctly, it takes YEARS.

You can't just decide to go ride your pleasure horse one day, read about the aids of acheiving tempi changes and do them...you have to have your horse prepared and well trained in many other areas of dressage.

For basic dressage - prelim/novice (training and 1st level) you need the horse to be forward, balanced, bending through the body, flexing at the poll, working correctly on the bit, performing nice transitions, responsive, obedient, submissive etc.

Once you have achieved all of that, THEN you can start on lateral movements and the beginnings of medium and collected gaits. You cannot train the horse in lateral movements until he is ready for minor collection, he must have very good bend and flexion and he must be supple.

You have to build up to everything in dressage, before you can attempt a 'true' extended trot, you must have 1. a nice working trot, 2. nice, consistent lengthened strides, 3. a nice medium trot, then the next step is an extended trot.

Just like you can't do tempi changes until your single flying changes are down pat and happen straight off cue eg - the horse doesn't change late.

So yes, it is all very exciting, but don't get ahead of yourself...if you really want to learn dressage, find a very good, reputable dressage instructor and a suitable horse to learn it on.

[CircleCBandit]

Hi Preppy! You can prepare for dressage lessons in the future by developing a nice deep, balanced and relaxed seat. Make sure you have light, sensitive handsthat you NEVER rely on for balance. Do lots of riding without stirrups. Make sure you have your equitation position down pat--this seat has developed through the years as the best way to be balanced and enable the horse to move well. Make sure you can think and move each hand, leg, seat bone(apply weight) independently, and understand the effect of each on your horse.

WIll you be riding someone else's horse for your lessons, or your own? See if you can ride a trained dressage horse so you can feel how the horse moves and bends and holds its head, responds. You will need to begin suppling and strengthening your own horse to begin dressage--lots of circles and transitions.

Hope this helps!! Have fun!!

[Kissitgoodbye]

I agree with everyone else... Takes a while to get the hang of Dressage.

I won't go into any details about it, BUT ITS A GREAT WAY OF RIDING

A lot of people did mention starting to work long and low and ride your horse a little deep then out. And also working on SOFT hands and soft seat. And to get your horse to start moving off your legs then to your seat.

I would suggest lessons if your really into it

Have fun!