Big movers killing dressage star fantasies

[TwoTrickPony]

@mvp

Haha. I was sure that we shorties have a harder time since we have less vertical height within which to resolve the horse’s motion with a still ribcage up top.

I think it’s more smaller. If you’re smaller and rounder, it’s probably really hard! I cannot say as a tall and big rider. But, just physically thinking about it, a smaller, thinner rider (like Manni!) would seem to have an easier time just “sticking” with a horse just because the mass is less to move. The bigger you are, the more weight and size you have to balance. I think it does have something to do with the ribcage, though. A masseuse rider once told me I had a very short waist, which makes it more difficult.

I know there has been some research on this, but that’s my thinking. We know women have much longer legs than men–the same length legs can be 3/4 inches shorter for a women in height. But, I think men generally can sit better? Why? Obviously not leg length. I don’t think generally longer legs makes it easier to ride.

[RPM]

Congratulations on trying, and on your philosophical and realistic approach!

I loved doing dressage; had no desire to ride a big mover (don’t even like to watch them much anymore). But then I have a different view of dressage than some dressage people. I love watching and riding a well-trained horse (or helping train one), who has a good attitude and who can help me do my best. I like a naturally moving horse (natural to his breed and ability). I don’t like the exaggerated, over-bent look of some upper-level horses or the floppy riding style of their riders.

Keeping in mind that “dressage” is just a fancy French word that means “training,” and that classically it is supposed to about training the horse to be her best, and the rider to bring out the best in the horse.

I still have dreams of riding a Grand Prix jumper!

[piccolopony]

I feel the same but I know I’m just not interested in such a big mover. I’m in this for the horse, trails, etc first and dressage second and I HATE the gym. I love my pony because even though I’m still learning how, I can sit the trot (sometimes ) without needing to work out extensively and still appreciate the extra power when we’re working on our mediums rather than being scared of them. I’m certainly a weeny adult amateur but I’m really glad that I realized this as early on as I did and was able to end up appropriately horsed.

[GrayCatFarm]

A former instructor said I would not any use for a gym membership if I learned to ride dressage correctly. I am convinced that somewhere under the belly fat is a six pack of core muscles thanks to my big moving warmblood. But, it hasn’t been pretty learning to sit that trot. In fact, really humbling to learn that I did not have independent hands and seat.

[Peggy]

@WildandWickedWarmbloods

Big moving warmbloods also have a big floating buck. Totally unlike the TB buck which is tough to handle.
Give me the WB trot and buck over the TB trot and buck any day. Much as I love TBs.
But choose the discipline and the horse by whatever you are comfortable with and whatever you can handle.
Everyday is a learning experience and every horse is different.
Eventing is what I’d not do, but others love it. My eventing friends ask me if the WB trot is bouncy. yes it is.

But I have never been on a TB that bucked and did that thing where they somehow pop their sides out and your leg off as they buck. It’s almost like they

[alibi_18]

@mvp

What? Manni01 gets to ride what she wants to, just like anyone else. Disagreeing with an OP isn’t being rude or even condescending. It’s just holding a different opinion.

Indeed Manni01 gets to ride what she wants…but ‘‘cringing at the sight of a less skilled riders impeding their horse’s god gifted habilities’’ can fall into the condescending petty remarks. Especially when the OP never said she was trying to adjust any horse to her level but instead, wisely choosing the right horse for her, albeit less gifted in the bouncing department.

As for disagreeing with the OP, really, was there something to disagree with? The OP just had an Ha-ah moment where she now sees clear and has set realistic goals for her dressage endeavor.

[BigMama1]

The part I found condescending and maybe others did too was the bit about “cringing” when you see a big mover limiting his movement to an amateur rider and that dressage is about developing the horse, not making the horse adjust to the rider.

Of course horses should be adjustable to their rider - otherwise amateurs would never learn! My horse is a bit of a pokey slug when I ride him because that’s where I’m comfortable and my skills are at the moment. When my trainer rides him he’s much more sensitive, forward and a bigger mover. I’m happy with hat

[Ganesha]

@Peggy

It was epic. Hilda came out of the judge’s stand and was standing in the path outside the dressage ring with her arms outstretched yelling “whoa Tumble!” while the trainer was positioned in a similar stance elsewhere on the path.

This was also the show were nearly the entire barn got food poisoning from the lunch provided at the show. I was spared because I showed so early that I was gone by lunch, as was the person ferrying horses back and forth between the barn and the show. But everyone else got sick and the people who were there only on Sunday knew they were doomed when the people that were there on Saturday started getting sick on Sunday afternoon. Good times at the Fullerton Recreational Riders ring.

If you have more stories like this you should compile them into a book, kind of like a humorous modern day Talking of Horses by Monica Dickens.

[Ganesha]

@Cranberry

A longe lesson on a big moving horse helps me feel what I should be doing with core, seat, balance, etc. before I pick up the reins. Also, some are easier to sit on than others, in my limited experience. I think you should try it again sometime.

Ok, I gotta say - I love being longed. Haven’t had a session in a long time. I mean, if it is an honest to God true longe lesson where I have no responsibility for anything but my seat, I love being able to just focus on me and the movement and having the freedom to make adjustments without worrying about other stuff. I need to book a few of these.

[Peggy]

@Ganesha

If you have more stories like this you should compile them into a book, kind of like a humorous modern day Talking of Horses by Monica Dickens.

Thanks. I have a ton of stories and love to write. Periodically I do a long Facebook post about one of the horses we’ve owned or I’ve ridden . I keep thinking I should do a blog.

[RTF]

I used to be able to ride the big trot, but am starting to worry that I won’t be able too as well as I did. So I get it. I tell everyone that my two yo Hanoverian standing out in my pasture is the prettiest, most athletic horse I have ever owned… and I sure hope I am able to ride him and do him justice!

now the first time I ever rode an honest trained FEI dressage horse, I could not get him to stop switching leads. I thought I was a fairly decent rider, but he taught me otherwise and it was very humbling. If it’s something you want to do, keep working at it!

[Magicboy]

Yup, humility is a big part of our sport. As I approach 70, I’m well aware that riding FEI levels is not in my future. And I do love our PREs.

[netg]

Tall and short people each have advamtages, but an ability to move with a horse who moves a lot clearly goes to the taller riders. Ideally the rider and horse have the same length legs - athe 5’1", my 16.3 guy’s legs reach up to my rib cage. Because I’m short waisted, my ribs actually overlap with the top of my pelvis if I don’t actively use my core topographic lift. But 9n the plus side, I never get the wiggly midsection taller riders can, and my legs are totally still even when relaxed and not gripping at all. That bouncy foot look so many have is a flaw I’m almost incapable of doing.

I think (hope) that part about not realizing top riders had to work was a joke. But yes, it can be a shock to ride big gaits the first time. A soft back is not hard to sit as far as the mechanics of how it works regardless of the size of gaits, but larger gaits certainly take more core strength for your own self carriage to stay either the greater amount of movement. It’s like trying to stay sitting as if the road is smooth on bumps at the front of a schoolbus vs the back. I rode my trainer’so mare with international quality movement about 6 months ago and couldn’t manage to even ride her canter much less sit her trot. She was tight in the back and sucked back at the time. I just had a lesson on her Friday, and discovered her gaits are now easier to sit than my TB’s, but they take more core strength. She is now swinging and more relaxed, though very clear about the balance her rider must have or she will passage or drop out of the canter.

That said, a rider needs to learn what works for them. I do better on the larger movers who have the long, range strides and you have to build suspension than I do on the large movers who float like my trainer’s mare. And my mare I show has super rideable gaits and over time is developing larger gaits but it’s not innately there. I intentionally bought a smaller size and less dramatic gaits for myself, and through working on riding her properly will be ready for larger gaits on my next hypothetical young horse.

[Ganesha]

@netg

I think (hope) that part about not realizing top riders had to work was a joke.

Oh dear - I hope I didn’t come across that way. I do know top riders work hard to get there and stay there. The one higher level (intermediare) pro I know rides 7 to 8 horses a day 5 days a week most weeks, regularly rides in clinics, on top of teaching and giving clinics himself.

Imagine you’ve been taking lessons for some time, doing well at lower levels at shows, have no trouble sitting the trot, get praised for your canter seat, etc. You feel like you’re pretty good! Then you get to sit on an advanced horse, and you realize that one reason you can sit well is you’ve been riding pretty easy to sit horses that don’t take as much core strength and athleticism to ride. Plus, you’ve never really ridden a powerful extension. Suddenly your eyes are opened to where you actually are.

I’ve never heard about the rider / horse leg length matching thing. Now I’m interested to get to the barn to check my legs against my horse’s legs.

[2tempe]

It is my understanding that shorter legs make it harder to get a big horse forward and collected. (not impossible given D. McDonald an Brentina). It is also harder to do any of this if you don’t start and learn when younger. I started dressage at 50+ after years of no “equitation” guidance, though I rode a lot. It is HARD to undo all my prior flaws. It is easier on a 15’3" Lusitano than it was on a bigger (and bigger moving) WB and a bigger TB.

[Magicboy]

Anyone know the source of that. Rider/horse leg match up? It’s very interesting…

[xrmn002]

I just bought an international quality mover (by mistake - he didn’t move like this in the little arena we tried him in!) and have been wondering about this. I haven’t had a problem sitting upper level horses or big movers before but am completely humbled right now. I’ve had him home two weeks now and today I comfortably sat about half a 20 meter circle before I had to post again. I have never felt anything like this horses movement- it’s not uncomfortable but exhausting. I didn’t think I was out of shape but have had back issues and am now looking for a personal trainer or PT who understands riding to help me be fit enough to enjoy this horse. He is everything I’ve ever wanted but is not going to work if I can’t make the time to get. very. fit. I wouldn’t trade him for anything but is a bit of 'be careful what you wish for…".

[Ganesha]

Manni01, did you ever listen to the Beastie Boys? I have a new theme song for you -

I like big gaits and I cannot lie
You other riders can’t deny
That when a horse trots in with a great big pace
And suspension in your face
You get sprung, and you cannot hide
Your love for that lofty stride
Doesn’t matter the tack he’s wearing
I’m hooked and I can’t stop staring
O baby I want to ride wit’cha
And take your picture
My coach she tried to warn me….

(I dare someone to complete this)

[rjr]

OP, it sounds like you sort of got doubly slammed - bigger gaits than you are used to, but also a horse that is too sensitive/reactive for you at this stage. The two do not necessarily go hand in hand. This experience may have dissuaded you more than a more gradual introduction on a true schoolmaster would. But, that being said, you are not alone, and it is true that learning to ride the big gaits is a skill in itself that you may or may not want to put your time and efforts into mastering. Your observations are quite valid - and lots of people opt for something a bit less flashy, or a baroque type for those reasons.

When I was a 1st/2nd level 40 something year old rider, I was looking for my next horse I had an opportunity to lease a very small-moving, non-flashy, but trained through 4th level TB. My trainer strongly encouraged me to invest in something fancier, because she felt that the best next step for me was learning to ride the big gaits. I didn’t quite understand at the time, but looking back, I do think it was the right advice FOR ME. I am quite fit, have been quite athletic in several other sports, had a budget that makes the big warmbloods possible, am nearly 6 feet tall, and am quite competitive by nature. It would not have been the right advice for everyone.

[Pocket_Pony]

That’s not the Beastie Boys…

“Baby Got Back” is by Sir Mix-a-Lot.