Re: RC: Re: dressage riders

[Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

Dressage is beneficial to any horse. Some horses need more of this type
training than others. Consider it "coordination training," which is the
biggest benefit to endurance riders. Just as Michael Jordon doesn't need
extensive ballet lessons, some horses don't need extensive dressage and
some do.

The thing a lot of endurance riders don't realize is that you can mix
dressage training in with your conditioning right there on the trail.
You can side pass, haunches in, shoulder in, etc. going right down the
trail. You can also turn on the haunches, shorten and lengthen the
stride, etc. going on down the trail. Not only does this keep the
horse's attention on you rather on the next spook up the trail (most of
these are Arabs ), it conditions the whole body to work together.

So if you are one that finds taking dressage lessons as much fun as
"watching paint dry", try getting the basics in the ring and then doing
the practice on the trail. Who knows one day the ability to move the
horse in a controlled coordinated fashion at speed through a narrow
winding course through the woods with confidence might mean the
difference between first place and no place or the difference between a
good ride and a busted knee cap.

Truman 


-- 
Truman Prevatt
Mystic “The Horse from Hell” Storm 
Buck's Mystic Karma
Rocket a.k.a. Mr. Misty
Jordy a.k.a. Bridger (when he is good)
Danson Flame - hey dad I'm well now and ready to go!

Brooksville, FL