sm, I do not mean one bit we breed more ‘gait’ into TB. TB is correct as is… I find them more correct than many modern day wb.
I mean breeding as in, for instance more uphill, for instance less straight shoulder, coupled with slightly higher set neck (not to achieve frame but help in collection), for instance for me personally a little less leggy, a little more bone more girth… things that are harder to find in the OTTB pool but could help the breed be more capable with the work and stay sound.
I disagree that dressage is purely about training. If you do believe in this concept (and there is nothing wrong in believing it IMO so don’t get me wrong), you need to be a very patient and very disciplined horseman who is extremely in tune with your horse’s every feeling and response. The fact is, we often do not know about the injury until it is too late.
I want to say this because I saw a very respected leg specialist yesterday. My horse has a minor issue and was corrected by some adjustment. But the same cannot be said for another horse. That horse is a lovely girl and score very well in shows (training level, schooling first). But the owner is noticing NQR with her. The vet noticed the horse is in a lot of pain (we were aware that she is in some pain but we could not imagine it is that bad). The vet chooses not to treat her, because he believes her problem comes form incorrect conformation for dressage (stifle too straight), and continuing the training will undo his treatment… the key is to not work her in dressage.
He recommends slow steady work, harder ground, straight lines, no circles. aka trail ride… at least for now.
No matter how elementary your dressage is, when your horse has mastered the training level stuff, you WILL be very tempted to ask a little more round, a little more sit, more straight, ask for more correct transition. It is a natural progression for dressage… the sports does not say, once you have done training, then go back to intro.
Low level stuff could still be too much for some horses. My friend did a great job noticing his mare is NQR, some people don’t even notice.
I hope people who know me doesn’t think I am just gossiping about or putting down a horse. but it is a great lesson I learned, how important it is, to have a horse that can do the work. I am not talking about a perfectly matched conformation… I am saying breeding one that can help a horse as much as possible in a discipline. (and modern day WB is not necessarily helping, many would argue) I have an old friend who said “any horse can jump 3 feet from a standstill”. Yeah right.
He’s older now, so I don’t expect to get that far with him, but I’m looking forward to learning from him!
