dressage & vosals....

[PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com (KIMBERLY PRICE)]

I couldn't agree more with Heidi on her following comments.  For those 
of you using vosels and hackamores....have your horses already learned 
these basic dressage-type lessons?  Can you teach them using a vosel or 
hackamore?   Can they collect into one of these when you are using your 
leg and seat?   
Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab..."hey, it might rain, why are you riding 
me!")

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From: CMKSAGEHIL <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 23:31:17 EST

In a message dated 98-01-16 23:16:24 EST, you write:

I guess I missed Lucy's original post.  I think one of the biggest 
mistakes endurance riders make is NOT to be doing dressage training 
right along with endurance conditioning.  Dressage teaches a horse to 
round his back, assisting him in carrying your weight all those miles.  
It teaches him to utilize his gaits more completely and more freely.  
It gives you and your horse basic and intimate communication skills.  
From my vantage point as ride veterinarian I see all too many horses 
that are fit but performing well below their capabilities simply 
because they have never been taught "the basics".  I don't
ride rides in a bit most of the time, but all of my horses start out in
snaffles and "graduate" to the bitless state when they are old hands.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
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