Expert: Shelley Evans - 6/21/2009

Question
I'm interested in beginning to do dressage. What are some terms that I need to know and what kind of movements will the horse I ride need to be able to know how to do. Also have a newborn foal who I think would do well at dressage but I don't know for sure. How can I tell if he will excel at dressage just by watching him in the pasture with his dam?
Thanks!

Answer
Dear Courtney,
I will address your questions in order:
a) Knowing dressage terms isn't going to be nearly as valuable as being able to connect those words to actual movements. Since you are a self-described beginner- I would go to YOUTUBE (but remember- you'll see the good, the bad and the ugly demonstrated here)and watch some video of: leg yield, shoulder in, travers, renvers, free walk, half pass and medium trot. You should also watch the size of the circles and the layout of the dressage arena and the placement of the letters within the arena.
2. You absolutely CANNOT tell if a foal will excel at dressage by watching him at liberty. Certainly breeding and conformation can predispose a particular horse to be a prospect - but dressage is big on attitude and trainability.
What many horses do naturally at liberty they will never do again and again under saddle with the subtle application of the aids. Having said this- breeding a western pleasure horse to another western pleasure horse is unlikely to result in a forward moving horse with loft and suspension and the ability to extend and collect at all three gaits- so one cannot dismiss blood line and type.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
S. Evans