| Is their a difference in training an Arabian for Dressage | | | | repetitively, have him do the exact opposite for a while |
| as opposed to training a Warmblood or even a | | | | - otherwise he will let you know what is right and what |
| Quarterhorse? | | | | is wrong. For example, do a 'leg yield' away from the |
| We found that out! My daughter is the most fortunate | | | | rails instead of toward the rails. It breaks his thinking |
| girl when it comes to her dressage trainer. Until a | | | | pattern and leaves you in the driver's seat. |
| couple of years ago, she had mainly trained children | | | | 4. Ride the horse you're on - be calm, don't override. |
| and adults for dressage on Warmbloods and | | | | You are supposed to be the calming agent. If you |
| Quarterhorses but since we had this cute little Arab | | | | have an electric seat, take a very deep breath and |
| which was so willing to please and totally green, she | | | | lower your energy output by lot. |
| took him on. | | | | 5. Arabs' heads like to come up, circle, maybe even hit |
| Here are some main differences in training hot blooded | | | | your helmet while doing it. Don't try to pull his head |
| horses for dressage, versus Warmbloods and even | | | | down. It only makes it worse. On the other hand, don't |
| Quarterhorses: | | | | give too much either, try to follow with your hands and |
| | | | send him forward and hopefully he'll learn that that's |
| 1. Keep your Arabian horse working at least a little 5 -7 | | | | not a way to evade the bit and come off the aids. |
| days a week. Don't let him sit and get overly eager to | | | | 6. Many Arabians learn to curl and go behind the bit. |
| go. They are hard to bring down and concentrate | | | | Again, that is nothing but an attempt to evade your |
| once they are excited. | | | | aids (hands) - like above, send him forward while |
| 2. While you can drill a Warmblood over and over | | | | following his mouth with your hands. |
| again on the same exercise, an Arab needs variety. | | | | 7. And last but not least, love him, support him and try |
| After you practice something 4 or 5 times, you really | | | | to turn all that energy into positive tension. Let him be |
| need to do something else for a while - preferably | | | | brilliant and let him show off how cute he is while |
| before his brain short cuts and he decides he's done. | | | | constantly suggesting to him what you want. You |
| 3. When you do an exercise the same way | | | | really cannot make them do anything. |