Western dressage discussion

[GrandLiena]

So… I started a thread regarding slowing down the canter on my standardbred mare, which kind of turned into a discussion on improving balance of myself and improving my riding so that my horse can naturally do what I need her to do. I am a western rider, so it was suggested to me by the classic dressage riders in that forum that I post here and see if there is anything I can be offered in terms closer to home or better explanations for the style that I ride. I’m looking for some general advice about improving my balance and working with my horse to get where I’m going. The video was taken before discussing the shoulder-hip-heel line and about where my hands should be.

This is the link to the original thread:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?478894-Slowing-the-canter

And this is a video I took for reference:
https://www.facebook.com/heliena.ham…1841126578539/
Lucy has some anxiety issues so the activity in the barn the day I took this was not ideal but she did good for me considering. She goes through a walk, trot, posted trot, (some nervous pacing that we argued about…), and I took her briefly through some trot-canter transitions. Which was a train wreck mostly…

Thank you in advance! -Liena

[NoSuchPerson]

The Western Dressage Association web site has a page of educational materials.

http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/educational-materials/

There are links to some nice articles down at the bottom of the page under “Published Articles.”

And under “Education Center” at the top of home page (http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/ ) look under “Hitching Post.”

[Draftmare]

Do you have a USDF GMO in your area? Many of them are starting to offer western dressage, and are also offering clinics. They may be able to get you in touch with a trainer in your area. I met my current instructor at a show, and have progressed by leaps and bounds since starting under her. My GMO offers western dressage at all of its shows now, and has a clinic in the spring that offers western dressage instruction as well.

[paulaedwina]

I watched your video and have some comments. Please realize I’m not a trainer, and only dabble in dressage.

1. I like her energy alot. You do not by any means have a sucked back horse. That’s a better start than most of us! I have a standardbred/percheron cross so I have a love of the standardbred. Her walk is also lovely.

2. She’s got the neck of a bracer (the underneck is built up) and bulges her shoulder so she doesn’t really have balance or bend yet. No worries that will come. She crabs in the trot -which is why it’s slower. It’s not coming from behind it’s scrambling from the front. That’s why she races into canter as well -it’s not a push from behind as much as it’s power from the front and some speed. And then she can’t maintain it because it’s not balanced, she has no bend (bracing in the neck, bulging in the shoulder). A circle would be quite a challenge for her at this stage.

3. You have a very secure seat, but, as I’ve seen some Western riders do, you ride in a severe chair seat. With your legs so far out front posting will always slow her down because instead of the energy popping you up into the rise, you have to climb out of your seat to rise (because your legs are so far in front of you) that you’re picking up contact on her bit every time you rise. A more balanced seat gets you out of her way and you’d have the same impulsion at the trot that you have at the walk. I am learning my Western saddles (I’ve been Western for about 6 months) and I’ve noticed that some saddles have Fenders very far forward. So it could be your saddle. Do you have access to a vaquero type saddle -where the fenders fall right below the lowest part of the seat?

4. I have a real bias now for split reins because they are nice and long and discourage leaning forward. As a result I think everybody’s reins are too short LOL! So take that with a grain of salt! However, to improve your horse’s fitness and balance, and to help her discover her caboose I strongly recommend hacking out with hills. This is how I fitted up Fella. Uphill canters will introduce them to their behinds, and downhill walks and trots will encourage then to sit down.

I don’t recall where you’re posting, but does Patrick King come through there? This guy is awesome IMO. He’s Western but has a real understanding of dressage so he’s worth every one of my skinny pennies. Whenever he’s in town I pay for private sessions with him.

Hope this helps.
ETA: Here’s some intro WD video I like very much from NAWD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biZei-ieLH4

Paula