by Danica Yates
(Reprinted with Permission)
Each discipline in equestrian riding has training specifics that make the disciplines what they are. Western disciplines are characterized by short, slow movement and minimal contact on the reins. Dressage is founded on forward impulsion and good connection. Perhaps you have experience with western riding in your background and would like to learn more about dressage. Let’s discuss two major differences between the disciplines – contact and impulsion- and how to start working on these basic principles in dressage.
Perhaps one of the main differences between the disciplines of western riding and dressage riding, is the amount of contact carried in the reins. A good western horse will move with very minimal contact, while a dressage horse is expected to softly carry much more contact. Often, western riders will have a difficult time increasing the feel in their reins. The main thing to remember here, is that for however much feel you increase in the feel on the reins in front, you must back it up with at least that much leg in back. If the horse feels only increased pressure on his face, he will stop or back up, or perhaps duck behind the contact curling his face in. Instead, as riders take more feel in the reins, they must simultaneously close their leg into the contact. This way, the horse is ‘closed up’ from both ends and comes round and forward into the contact.
With no contact on the reins (and no training in the western 'headset') Diago carries his head in an upright position and with little impulsion, moves on short, slow trot steps.
Without contact in the reins, a dressage horse lacks good connection and has no real reason to come round. If the horse is supported in the front and ridden from the hind end, he will be able to step into the contact and round his topline. With no feel in front, the horse will carry himself in whatever frame is most natural in that moment. For quarter horse types, the frame is often low and flat in the neck, for Arabian type horses, often up and inverted. If there is much tension in the back, most horse’s heads will come straight up. The frame of a dressage horse is accomplished by riding back to front. Unlike a western headset which is focused on tucking the head, the head and neck carriage of a dressage horse simply reflects how round the horse is in his back and engaged in his hind end.
With an appropriate amount of contact for dressage, Diago moves from his hind end into the connection.
By developing soft supportive contact with the reins, you can teach your horse to relax that tension and round his back. Contact on the reins is necessary for dressage because it gives the rider a finely tuned line of communication with the horse. Connection enables the rider to engage the horse’s hind end, necessary for dressage movements. With short reins and good connection to the horse’s mouth, signals can be very subtle and more refined than if there were slack in the system.
Let’s run through some of the basics for developing good contact for dressage. When you shorten up your reins and ride with more contact, it is important to learn to follow the horse’s motion. You want your hands to be smooth and quiet but not locked. Dressage riders that appear very smooth are very relaxed and moving with the horse. Your hands with increased contact must do the same. Work on unlocking your elbows so that you never bump the horse in the mouth accidentally. See if you can keep your connection very even through all your transitions and all your gaits. The best way to teach a horse to move rounder is to ride with steady contact and give him a supportive feel to round into. You do not want to ‘throw away’ the contact by pushing your hands forward in transitions. You also do not want to lean on the reins with your hands. Though there is more pressure in your hand than you may be used to, your hands must ‘carry themselves.’ Envision a bubble that sits on your horse’s neck directly in front of the saddle. Place your hands softly on top of that bubble and lightly carry them there as you ride.
A second major difference between western riding and dressage is the amount of impulsion carried in the gaits. A good western pleasure horse will move on small, slow steps in all the gaits. When training a western horse for reining or cutting, there is much emphasis on ‘backwards.’ With dressage, thinking ‘forward’ is of great importance. Movement is encouraged to be energetic and cadenced with high levels of suspension. The length of stride for a dressage horse should be very adjustable, with very big steps shown in the extended gaits and very short steps shown in the extreme collected work such as piaffe and pirouette. Regardless of stride length, dressage horses must move with impulsion or energy from their hind end. While harder to sit perhaps, energetic movement enables dressage horses to execute the gymnastic movements of the discipline.
If you want to try dressage, a good first step is getting your horse in front of your leg. This means that with minimal pressure from your leg aids, your horse will go forward and carry the forward momentum. There are two ways to know if your horse is in front of your leg. The first is, that if at any time, when you apply a little pressure with your legs, your horse will willingly move forward. Test this. If he is reluctant to get moving, apply a stronger aid to make your point and get a reaction. When your horse reacts properly and moves forward, your job is to get off his case- sit quiet and pet him as a reward. The second way to know if your horse is in front of your leg, is if he will sustain the forward movement. You do not want to be constantly driving, nagging with your aids for forward movement. You want to train your horse to be sensitive enough to your leg that you can apply it lightly and he will go forward willingly. You want to make your point, get a reaction and then sit quiet.
A good way to work on getting your horse in front of your leg and work on your contact with the reins, is transitions between and within gaits. As you go around the ring, work on going from the walk to trot, trot to walk. Ask your horse very lightly with the legs to move forward. If he ignores your leg, do not hesitate to bump him with your legs or give him a tap with a whip. When he does move forward from this increased aid, pet him and reward this correct reaction. Then repeat the transition again by asking very softly, giving him a chance to show you what he has learned. The goal is to teach him to go from the walk to the trot with only a whisper from your legs. Also try lengthening your horse’s trot steps making him move out within the gait. Again as you go around the ring, ask your horse to go more forward for however many steps you choose, then bring him back to a shorter trot again. Make sure you intentionally bring him back so that the bigger trot that you created does not just fizzle out. This forward and back exercise will help him stay responsive and in front of your leg. Through all of your transitions, focus on keeping your hands floating softly in front of you, connected to your horse’s mouth with supportive, following contact. By starting to develop forward impulsion and good connection, you will open the possibilities for learning the art of dressage.
Danica Yates is a sporthorse trainer in the Portland, Oregon area. FEI and European experience, four years private training with Olympian Debbie McDonald. Training, lessons and board are available. Call (503)278-1112 or visit www.danicayates.com for more information.
