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Questions & Answers
Archives Page 1
All questions submitted after 19th February 2003 will be posted on the Discussion Board.
| Kate-Louise
United Kingdom Hants |
Hello
Claire, I started competing in prelim dressage competeitions in September
of last year getting an average 50% on my tests. I have made some
good progress since then now achieving between 60%-65% fairly consistantly
at Prelim Level. I have weekly lessons with the BHSAI instructor at
my yard, but feel that since December I have reached a 'plato' and
have not progressed much at all, infact perhaps even gone backwards
even tho I'm putting in 100% effort. I'm keen to affiliate my horse
in the next 12 months who has competed at elementory previously, but
am frustrated with recent progress. I've been looking at having lessons
with another instrucor, one which I may have to travel to. The instructors
list on the BD website says that Heather Ashley would be within reasonable
distance to me. I know friends that are having lessons with John Lassiter
and Alison Craig. Please could you let me have your thoughts on who
might be best to train with at my current level with my future plans
in mind. Also, do you offer tuition yourself? |
| Reply | Dear
Kate-Louise, Instructors are very much personal taste! You have to get on with whoever teaches you and trust in their judgement. I suggest that you perhaps go with your friends to the Lassetters and to Alison Craig and watch some of their lessons and see if you would get on with that way of teaching. The same with Heather Ashley - we all teach the same things but in perhaps a different way and there are many roads to Rome. I teach for a living but am on the edge of the Hampshire/Dorset border so it might be too far for you to travel. If I can be of help then would be very pleased. Good luck! Claire. |
| Kiri
United Kingdom Essex |
How
would u refitten a dressage horse that has had a three month rest
and is going back in to competition in three weeks. i need to know
what you would do with the horse each day to get him ready. |
| Reply | Hi
Kiri,
I would
say that if your dressage horse has been out of work for three months,
you should not be taking him to a competition in three weeks' time! |
| Joy
Howard United Kingdom Warwickshire |
My pony of 14yrs who know just about every skive possible when being ridden is giving me major problems! - he leans on the left hand rein refusing to take a contact on the right rein, regardless of how much leg to hand I cannot get him into a contact on the right rein, he also walks sideways/crocked! ie as he leans on the left rein looking to his right his body pushes over to the left! to counter problems more he's a puller but has a very soft/dry mouth as he's a cremello, I have him in a copper/silver roller snaffle with full side pieces & have just invested in a Worcester Noseband (yet untried), he was being ridden in a grackel, we have tried many different bits, including bitless bridles over the years, and he even does it in one of those. What excercises can I try to get him straight. I currently do not have access to our menage. |
| Reply | Hello
Joy, I think that your pony probably needs some schooling from somebody
very experienced in dealing with slightly wayward ponies! He has probably
realised that he can get away with doing these little annoying habits
some persuasion to comply with your rules! If you can manage to get
him to somebody who could help you then I think the money it would cost
would be well worth it to ensure your future fun together - because
he sounds a bit tricky at the moment! Good Luck.. |
| Michelle
UK Dorset |
Can you tell me which 'snaffle' bits are allowed in dressage? I've been told that twisted ones and cherry rollers are'nt allowed. Are there any other common ones that are not allowed? Michelle |
| Reply | Hi
Michelle, The only snaffle bits allowed in BD competitions are plain ordinary eggbut, loose-ring, straight bar, french link, rubber/happy mouth with either straight bar, french link or nutcracker action, cheeked, half-cheeked, and Fulmar. All the others are not allowed including a Doctor Bristol. All bits have to have the same metal in the mouth - in other words no copper mouths mixed with stainless are allowed and you are not allowed bit guards on any bit. When riding in a double bridle both bits have to be made of the same metal and the rules on types of bradoon apply as for snaffles. Hope this helps. |
| Holly
Smith UK Hants |
I am 13 and own a 14.2 potential high class dressage pony. Wins at unaffiliated Prelim's etc. Do you know of a Dressage "trainer" who could help me progress. My parents are very supportive but stand-alone lessons at £30 an hour are not exactly what I need. I an obviously too young to work for someone like John Lassiter at Goodwood but I would like to be put in touch with someone like that who be interested in helping a horse mad youngster. Email: ray.s.smith@bt.com |
| Reply | Dear
Holly, I understand your problem, but I am afraid that none of us is able to do much apart from charge for lessons as you have them - we are all unfortunately trying to earn a living from this sport too! When you are a little older I suggest that you would be well advised to go to somebody as a working pupil where you could learn as you go and perhaps take some BHS exams too. Other than that all I can suggest is that you come along to some of the under 21 things that are organised in your area - details from British Dressage at Stoneleigh, this comes a little cheaper and gives you access to good trainers at affordable prices. Unfortunately, I am organising the South West area and as you come from Hampshire, your area is classified as 'Midlands' (rather strange I know, but they had to divide the country up and that is how it went!) If you speak to Karen Ryder in the Dressage Office she will put you in touch with the under 21 rep for the Midlands area and you should learn and have some fun at the same time. Good luck, Claire. |
| Jo
Addison Australia |
I have a beatifull big Welsh Cob Chestnut with Flaxen main and tail. I want to compete in dressage, I know I have to have his mane plaited but do not wish to cut his mane. His main is medium thickness but long. Is there a technique to plait that is acceptable for a formal Dressage competition? Email: jo@indelibleimage.com.au |
| Reply | Hi
Jo, Yes there is a way of plaiting his mane, but in this country if the ponies are classified as 'natives' then there is normally a dispensation as to plaiting them until you get to a quite high level. However, you can do what we call a 'farmer's plait' which involves plaiting the hair on the mane as you would do the tail i.e. along the top of the crest incorporating bits of the mane as you progress down the neck so that you are left with a plait lying along the crest of the neck and gradually sloping down so that it follows the line of the neck and ends up about four inches below the wither at the base of the neck. It is rather difficult to explain but looks like a long braid rather than lots of separate plaits. It is very easy once you know how and looks smart. Good luck! |
| Miss
Whitehouse UK Staffordshire |
I have a 16hd welsh stallion, he is v-forward but i have trouble to keep him slower and to stop him from stiffining/holowing, is there any exercise i can do to slow him down and make him concentrate Email: foxglenborealis@yahoo.co.uk |
| Reply | Hello
Miss Whitehouse, The main thing to remember is to keep as relaxed yourself as possible and avoid pulling your horse back to you even if you feel that he is running away from you. Plenty of transitions between paces should help and lots of smaller circles and turns to avoid him increasing his speed. Once he has gained confidence and balance he will not feel the need to run away from the work. |
| Erin
Lagasse USA Cranston, RI |
What is the half halt and how do you execute it? How do you get a horse to use it's back and hocks, and how can you tell? How can you get a horse to bend? How do you feel it?? I'm a new dressage rider and I'm eager to learn the basics, how to really ride a horse. Like you're partners. Email: Horsecrazy363@aol.com |
| Reply | Dear
Erin, The main objective in dressage is to rebalance the horse so that he is taking most of his and his rider's weight on his hind legs - the engine if you like. This enables the horse to lift his forehand and therefore move his front legs with far greater freedom and elasticity than if all his and his rider's weight were bearing down on his shoulders. This process takes years and only the very best horses and riders in the world achieve it to perfection - they are the partnerships we see in the Olympics and World Champs etc. The rest of us try to reach this standard by daily schooling our horses with this express aim in mind. The half halt is one of the exercises we use to help us get the above. Basically the rider asks the horse to rebalance itself by quickly slowing down and pushing away again with the hind legs without falling out of the pace they are in. To begin with we actually do a quick transition say from trot to walk for a stride and then trot again until the horse finds this easy and understands, then we ask the same but without letting the horse walk at all, thereby putting him back on his hocks for a stride and then regaining the trot again in a very light contact - the downward transitions must be achieved by using the rider's seat and back with only a minimal use of the rein to maintain the frame of the horse's neck. These exercises will automatically teach the horse to engage his hocks and use his back. You can tell when he is because you can feel his back moving underneath the saddle and the strides gain more cadence and lift than they had before. To get the horse to bend is the first step and should be achieved before you ask the horse to engage behind - working on the principal that you can't squash a broom-handle together but you can squash a bendy piece of wire. Ask the horse to bend using your inside leg and rein together whilst maintaining a contact with the outside rein to prevent the horse from falling out through the outside shoulder - i.e. the outside of the horse should not get longer whilst the inside bends - the outside length from nose to tail should remain the same whilst the inside length from nose to tail shortens. Turns, circles and figures of eight each way will help your horse to bend naturally and easily. When the horse is supple then you continue by doing the transitions and half-halts as explained above. This is a very basic answer to your question and I suggest that you buy as many books as possible on the subject that have good illustrations to help you get the idea. Videos when well produced are also a tremendous help - Kyra Kirkland has done a tremendous series. Good luck and I hope that I have been of some help, but there is no substitute for getting a good instructor who knows what they are doing and also riding a horse that has been correctly trained so that you can get the idea of what it feels like. Dressage is mostly about being able to feel what the horse is giving you. |
| Diana |
Dear Claire, Although I can remember tests easily after reading them a few times and practicing once or twice at home, I know someone who finds it quite difficult. She can remember a test, goes to a competition and knows the test...but still seems to have "blank" moments when she forgets or does the wrong thing, and also suffers quite badly from nerves, not about the riding of the test but the route of the test itself! The regionals are coming up and there is little time to sort this problem out! Thank You! Email: diana_misty@yahoo.com |
| Reply | Dear
Diana |
| Louise
Celino UK Yorkshire |
I own a 7 year old Shire cross TB who I am planning to compete at dressage
this year. He has been shown from 4 years, and has been ridden in a double from 6 years. He was broken in a pelham at 3 years, and every time I have tried to ride in a snaffle since then, he makes it quite clear what he thinks to a jointed bit. The only snaffle I have ever managed to get him relaxed in was a sweet iron french link, but even then if he is distracted or excited he will misbehave, and resorts to many and varied bit evasions. In a double bridle however, he is 100% relaxed, supple, forward going and an entirely different horse. Should I persevere in trying to get him to work in a bit he is obviously not happy with, or do I keep him working nicely in the double and try starting at elementary? He has had his teeth and back checked about 2 months ago, which were both fine. Also his saddle is 100% good fit. Any suggestions/advice would be gratefully received! |
| Reply | Hi
Louise, Best of luck. Claire |
| Christy
Boxall Dorset |
We have just moved to this area from Sussex, where we competed at unaffiliated dressage at hickstead, and a number of other indoor venues. We do not like travelling too far to compete where would the local quivalent of these venues be and also we would like to find an instructor, I compete to Novice level but am lucky enough to have a horse who has competed successfully to medium level, I need help to catch up but find some bhs instructors too intimidating do you know of any good local instructors. Email: christy@1boxall.freeserve.co.uk |
| Reply | Dear Christie, There are plenty of places around that run dressage competitions in Dorset, but it rather depends which end of Dorset you are as to their distance from you! Kingston Maurwood has wonderful facilities and runs many competitions - Julie Rickman does a stirling service running the shows and will always be happy to send you schedules. Moreton Stables also holds regular shows as does West Wilts near Melksham, and Half Moon Stud near Shaftesbury.; towards the other end of the county - the Fortune Centre has a short series of unafilliated classes (in Bransgore, near Burley). To find a list of local instructors I suggest that you either contact the Dressage Group who will be happy to give you their accredited instructor list or get in touch with the BHS who will give you instructors currently registered with them in your area. The only other way of finding a suitable instructor is by word of mouth - talking to other people in your area and see who they go to, then if you can possibly go and watch one of their lessons you can work out if that particular person might suit your needs. Good luck and I hope you are enjoying your new home. |
| Jan
Sharp USA |
I have a 14.3 hand Half Arabian. He has a small, thick mouth. He constantly
lifts and bites the bit between his back teeth which drives me nuts.
If ridden on a loose rein, he doesn't do it. If he's standing with loose
reins or ridden with contact, he'll lift and bite. He never tries to
snatch the reins out of your hands or is heavy. He will do it in any
type of bit with the exception of an old double twisted wire bit I tried
on him just to see what he'd do with it. I think of the offset joints
won't allow the bit to bend enought backwards to get between his back
teeth. Any suggestion what type of bit I should try? Thanks! pintopark@adelphia.net |
| Reply | Dear
Jan, This sounds to be a very annoying problem. Have you had your horse's teeth rasped lately i.e. within the last 8 months? If you have then I am rather at a loss except that I think it is probably just a boredom habit that when he is standing still and not occupied, it is an amusing thing for him to do. Obviously having a contact on the rein provokes it aswell, so maybe if you push him forwards more into the hand and make him work a little harder into the contact he will have his mind taken off his habit. I would just try many and various bits and perhaps different types of noseband - i.e. flash or drop maybe instead of just a cavasson - and hope that you can find a combination that he likes enough to stop biting at! Does he do the same if lunged in a bridle with side reins? If he does not then it might be something with the way you use your hands whe you take up a contact? - just a thought. Let me know what happens.... CM --- |
| Dani |
I'm 15 years old and i would like to do dressage with my pony. the previous owners told me that they had done affliated dressage with her in a pelham. Can you do this, and if so, how heavly penalised are you? (she is very strong but has lovely paces). Email: dani@phalp.co.uk |
| Reply | Hi Dani, The
previous owners of your pony either have short memories or were telling
porkies....!
I would suggest that you try two things: |
| Diana |
Hi Claire, How can I improve my sitting trot? |
| Reply | Hi
Diana, Being able to sit well in the saddle is dependent on balance
and suppleness. Unfortunately, these attributes don't come that easily
to most of us! However, what you are doing, i.e. working without stirrups and having regular lunge lessons which concentrate on the correct exercises to stretch your legs down and your upper body upwards, will improve your seat eventually; but it could take months of hard work - depending on your natural suppleness. Keep up the good work - I try and ride without stirrups as often as possible to keep me sitting down in the saddle - it's something that we all have to work at all the time! |
| Name:
Anon. |
I know this is a hard question to answer because each pony is different, but in general, what is the highest level do you think a New Forest pony could compete at successfully in dressage? Do they have the capability to go beyond the top end of Novice level successfully? |
| Reply |
The
answer is definitely YES I have helped several people to train New
Forest ponies to medium level and they would certainly have the ability
to do flying changes. Claire |