| Finding a suitable dressage horse is a difficult task that | | | | 1. Good conformation. |
| requires planning and a thorough understanding of your | | | | Look at the horse's conformation when it's standing |
| horse needs. Before you start, you need to compile a | | | | naturally, and when he's moving. As you watch the |
| list of what you want in your dressage horse along | | | | horse, imagine the frame and appearance of a Grand |
| with a list of the characteristics that are not | | | | Prix champion dressage horse, with the lowered coup |
| acceptable. In this article we'll cover how to build those | | | | and the horse rising up through the back and withers. |
| lists, narrow your dressage horse selections, good | | | | You should see that potential in your prospective, |
| dressage horse breeds and how to find the right horse | | | | young horse. |
| for you. | | | | 2. A horse to match your lifestyle. |
| The first step is determining your price and budget. | | | | Do you need a horse that thrives on work and daily |
| This is going to be your guiding factor; from there you | | | | activity, or one who can be content staying sedentary |
| can work on eliminating horses with unacceptable | | | | for a day or two? Does the height and size match |
| characteristics. Here's a list of undesirable traits in a | | | | your proportions? |
| prospective dressage horse: | | | | 3. Temperament. |
| 1. Poor movement. | | | | A calm and consistent temperament that is compatible |
| Avoid a horse that isn't straight in its movement, both in | | | | with your own will make training and competition much |
| front and behind. | | | | easier and all the more rewarding. Look for a horse |
| 2. Faulty conformation. | | | | that is full of character, but still manageable and |
| Any horse with a faulty conformation should also be | | | | trainable. |
| avoided. Watch out for a horse that stands higher at | | | | 4. Good pace and movement. |
| his croup, has a low-set neck, or a poorly set-on head. | | | | The walk is so important, even on a loose rein. The |
| Poor head conformation means the horse will have | | | | horse's steps should be long and even in length. There |
| trouble opening up his neck and jaw, a detriment in | | | | should be no indication of tension, nor any inclination to |
| dressage. | | | | hurry out of its steady, pacing rhythm. |
| 3. Wide frame. | | | | What are some good dressage horse breeds? |
| Any horse that is too wide through the chest, | | | | Swedish Warmblood horses make popular dressage |
| shoulders and rib-cage will prevent you from riding with | | | | horses because they are compact, yet very strong. |
| a good depth of seat and length of leg - both critical in | | | | Even larger horses like the Irish draught do well due to |
| dressage. | | | | their strong conformation and typical middle weight |
| 4. Narrow frame. | | | | status. Finally, the Irish Trill is another popular dressage |
| If the frame is too narrow, the horse's action may be | | | | horse because it is strong enough to easily bear the |
| too "close" in front or behind. Also, a weak horse won't | | | | rider's weight, but notheavy in stature or in the way it |
| perform as well. | | | | caries itself. |
| 5. Difficult temperament. | | | | That said, the ideal dressage horse has a strong |
| Ideally, you want a horse with a pliable temperament | | | | frame without any serious weakness, a generous |
| and a willingness to learn and work with you, rather | | | | temperament, and the will to work and train as a |
| than against you. | | | | partner. The shape and size of a dressage horse is |
| Now that we've covered some of the unwanted | | | | surprisingly varied, and therefore so are your breed |
| characteristics in a dressage horse, what are the more | | | | options. |
| desirable traits? | | | | |