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In the days of Xenophon 2,500 years ago, dressage was more than a sport and a hobby. At that time the skill of horses in battle and hunting were a determining influence in the outcome of a conflict and the survival of a society.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, horses were a major factor in many crucial battles that shaped the course of history. Just a couple of examples are the battle of Poitiers where Charles Martel finally broke the force of the Moslem invasion of Europe in 732 and the lifting of the Siege of Vienna by the cavalry of Jan Sobieski in 1683 when the Turks had nearly taken the city.

Xenophon, known as a lover of horses and credited with founding the discipline, expressed the guiding principle of dressage in these words: “What the horse does under compulsion…is done without understanding…and there is no beauty in it.”

Maneuvers like the levade and piaffe, when properly performed, enabled riders to create havoc among enemy troops. This teamwork between horse and rider could only be achieved by long and rigorous training. For the best results, the horses had to be trained in such a way that they were not machines dominated by their riders, but proud, courageous animals anxious to perform for love of their riders. A well trained horse could prove more strategic than a dozen foot soldiers in a battle. The sheer psychological impact of these powerful animals was helpful in turning the course of battle. They certainly were a huge help to Cortez in conquering the Aztecs who were so awed by these creatures.

Today, dressage is a refined sport pursued by hundreds of thousands. Its ideal practice is one in which both horse and rider benefit mentally and physically. Consideration of the whole horse greatly enhances dressage training. No amount of long drills and hard training can produce what the combination of technical skill and understanding yield. Fortunate is the horse whose rider pursues technical mastery as well as deep consideration of the horse as a whole.

Bayard Fox has been riding for 70 years on six continents and has ridden enough miles to circle the globe several times. He is owner and founder of Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Vacations. He and his wife also own the Bitterroot Dude Ranch where they raise and train Arabian horses.

Author: Bayard R Fox
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Dressage – An Ancient Tradition Alive Today is a post from: Horse Record - Horse Care, Training and Riding Resources

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Training and attitude are two different things. Training teaches the horse to react to cues; attitude is how the horse responds. A negative horse resents and resists. He may go through all the motions, but his performance will be tense and sullen.

The apathetic horse drags himself around dull and oblivious, saying, “I’m bored; I’m brain dead; I don’t care.” But a horse with a positive attitude shows powerful, focused action.

The Beginning

Let’s look at where attitude starts. First of all, if we were to place the horse on a Freudian couch, we would find that he likes to be comfortable. A comfortable horse is content. He is confident in his rider and in his role in the partnership. At the core of this relationship is trust.

Trust is an expectation. When the horse trusts you, he has learned from consistency what will happen if. In other words, if he refuses to stop, he will feel the pressure until he does. If he refuses to turn, he will feel the pressure until he does. If he responds correctly, he will be rewarded.

When the horse knows where he stands, his actions develop power because his confidence increases. If you can plug into the horse’s confidence, you can channel that energy into a powerful performance. He becomes a horse who knows his business.

Trust is understood through communication. Communication is a system that sends and receives messages. In order for this system to work, it must be a language that can be exchanged between the two communicating. It means we must do more than tell the horse what to do; we must also listen. Refinement in horsemanship is in direct proportion to the ability to read and react appropriately to what the horse is saying.

Lack of communication is a frustrating thing. If the horse cannot make sense of what you are saying he will be confused, and in reaction to this confusion, he will either tune you out or get hostile. This attitude will manifest itself in apathetic or negative action.

Through communication and attention to his reactions, we teach the horse to accept his role in the partnership, even when he’d rather be out under a shade tree with the breeze blowing his mane.

The Key Element

In order to work, all language must adhere to consistency. Imagine what would happen if you said “Pass the salt,” when you really meant, “Where is the milk?” Salt is salt; milk is milk; and whoa is whoa.

Based on your consistency the horse learns the language. He learns to trust his actions. This gives him the courage to be bold and to show his athletic power. To clarify, trust is an expectation, and consistency is how those expectations are established.

Horsemanship’s language is called the aids. It is a body language that uses a consistent pressure and release from pressure to express what is being said. If you do not understand the aids, the horse will not be capable of trusting you.

The horse may not want to do what you ask, but his attitude will improve as he learns to expect follow-through from you. Follow-through is a pattern of cue and enforcement that teaches the horse to expect your pressure and release from pressure when he responds to your cues.

The cue always remains the same. The enforcement gets increasingly stronger until the demanded response is given. It looks like this:

cue > enforcement > wrong action

cue > ENforcement > wrong action

cue > ENFORCEMENT > correct action > reward (release from pressure)

The cue doesn’t change. It remains consistent and present with every escalation of enforcement. Eventually the horse will respond to the first cue because he seeks the release from pressure. In other words, his obedience and confidence will increase as his expectations are reinforced.

His nature can make him happy in a world of obedience as long as you are fair and he knows what the rules are.

Inconsistencies are mental surprises that make the horse uncomfortable and destroys his ability to trust you. He does not want to be shocked, nor is he delighted by surprises. Shocks and surprises will damage his attitude, especially in the area of communication.

Another element of trust is respect. A respectful horse will pay attention. I’m not talking about a horse walking on eggshells, afraid of every move you make, but the respectful horse who is just aware of you and what you are doing. This a a calm and comfortable kind of respect based on the equine custom of pecking order.

The Natural Order

The horse is a herd animal and pecking order is a natural part of his life. He knows it. He understands it. He is comfortable with it. The horse may occasionally challenge his position, and some horses are spoiled and rebellious because they have been allowed to maintain a superior attitude. But if it is made clear, through consistent use of the aids, that you are his leader, he will accept it as normal and be happy about it.

Respect has a natural awareness for space. Both animals and humans have what is called “their space,” and as the dominant steps into the space of the submissive, the submissive moves out of the way.

If the horse moves into your space he is challenging you. When I’m talking about space, I’m talking about that area where we protect ourselves, that place when we feel pressured to move. The horse’s attitude toward you will improve when he is not allowed to enter your space and push you around.

This respect for space will carry over from the ground into the saddle as the horse learns to stop challenging your authority. He can enjoy your affection or you may push him around; if the pecking order is intact, it will be comfortable for both of you.

Healthy respect also tunes up the horse’s level of responsiveness because the horse’s natural desire is to keep track of what is happening up the pecking order. He will be paying attention to you.

Attitude is absolute. It is there in one form or another, and as we teach the horse to trust us we encourage his positive side.

It is your responsibility to establish communication on the horse’s level and to understand his needs. You must be fair in your expectations and encourage him toward his potential at a reasonable pace and also take into account that his personality, level of training, and physical condition should match the work he asked to do.

With trust, his performance will gain power from the confidence he has. Good attitude shows. It gives the horse that sparkle that takes him over the line from average to exceptional.

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But some other people (like myself) do not get this opportunity. My grandparents owned horses, but my parents did not. So that "hands-on" learning that goes on for generations stopped.
Right now I’m still in High School but plan on owning a horse or more in the future. I’ve taken equine science/management classes, and work with large animals like cattle (not that their care is alike!).
And as weird as it sounds- I think I am going too far with learning and reasearch.

So have you horse owners learned what you know from childhood, learned about the subject then got into horses, or just got horses and learned as you go?

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Though there are other styles of riding today, equestrians hail English riding as the most elegant inside or outside of the show ring. But it’s not only the rider’s skill that sets English riding apart. The horse riding apparel that English riders wear is not only functional but also very stylish.

What’s The History Of Riding Horses?

When man first started interacting with horses, they didn’t initially ride them, but rather used them to pull carts and chariots. No one knows which civilization first started riding horses, but through artifacts historians have established that the first equestrian equipment likely consisted of no more than a rope around the horse’s neck and a blanket or mat of some kind to protect the rider.

Actively breeding horses for domestic use did not occur until 1000 B.C. and it wasn’t until the medieval period (the 5th to 15th centuries) that horses were categorized. Instead of categorizing by breed, horses were categorized by their use. Horses used to pull carts were called carthorses and horses used in war were called chargers. These areas of specialization eventually led to a divergence in equestrian equipment and horse riding apparel.

What’s The Difference From English Saddles And Western Saddles?

English saddles are much flatter and more lightweight than their Western counterparts. The English saddle does not have a horn and the stirrups are much lighter and simpler than Western equestrian equipment. In the same way, English horse riding apparel stays with this focus on control and formality by insisting upon sleek lines, trim forms, and subdued elegance.

In English riding, the English saddle is placed over a saddle pad of minimal size. A lightweight bridle is used and, in some cases, a martingale or chest plate may be used. While significantly different in size, weight, and construction from that of a Western saddle, there are many different types of English saddle, depending upon its intended use.

English saddles used in jumping are far different from dressage saddles. Pleasure-riding or all-purpose saddles merge the benefits of several different styles of English saddle to make it more useful for the casual rider. Most English riders carry a crop when riding. English equestrian equipment is maintained in a clean and well-oiled manner, demonstrating the elegance and art of English riding.

What Horse Riding Apparel Is Appropriate For English Riding?

The goal in dressing for English riding is to demonstrate control over yourself as well as your horse. Loose hair and clothing are avoided, as are overly revealing garments and shabby work clothes. The English rider does well to take pride in their appearance wherever they are riding.

English horse riding apparel consists of a pair of paddock boots or tall boots worn with jodhpurs or riding breeches. In the show ring, women wear a short-collared ratcatcher shirt with a stock pin at the collar, while men wear a long-sleeved button-down shirt. Ratcatchers and other riding shirts have longer sleeves than street wear to allow the necessary freedom of movement required when jumping.

Many English riders are also seen wearing short, trim riding gloves. In the show ring, all English riders, except in some dressage classes, are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet as part of their regular horse riding apparel.

Sometime in the last 6,000 years, people have gone from riding bareback on wild caught horses to the exquisite art and formality seen in Olympic level dressage shows. English saddles facilitate the movement and grace necessary to the English rider. The equestrian equipment used today reflects that same measure of stately elegance and precise control seen when individuals ride in the English style.

Anne Coyle writes for The Equestrian Corner. They provide high quality English Saddles and horse riding apparel that define the elegance of English riding while providing safety to the rider.

Author: Anne Coyle
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Sports horse breeders follow intensive breeding programs. The breeding goals differ from registry to registry, some more geared towards Showjumping others Dressage, Eventing or all-round top quality riding horses, this is reflected in the breeding, for example to produce a top class jumping horse only prestigious jumping blood lines are used to produce a horse with the physical attributes and athletic ability which is needed for show jumping.

Quality Sports horses have certain attributes which incorporates the following:

o Correct confirmation – Sports horses should have correct confirmation as this has a direct affect on the movement and jumping capabilities of the horse.

o Temperament – Sports horses must have a trainable and willing nature.

o Movement – Sports horse should have an athletic gait with good suspension in trot and canter.

o Jumping ability – Sports horses that are bred for jumping have excellent jumping form and conformation that allows them to jump higher.

If you are looking to buy a horse to compete, a sports horse would be a very good choice. You should set yourself some guide lines on the criteria of the horse you wish to buy; a good place to start is to identify your capabilities as a rider. Less experienced riders should look for an older experienced horse that knows its job; an accomplished rider may want to bring on a younger horse and take it through the grades, it is absolutely essential for the rider to realise their capabilities. Unfortunately many people make the mistake of “over horsing themselves” this is when a less experienced rider has bought a horse that is far too much for the rider to handle. This can ruin good horses and ruin a rider’s confidence. Set a budget, the height range that would suit you best and what you intend to do with the horse. This will narrow down the market and get you focused on the right market of horses for sale.

There is an abundance of Sport horses for sale currently in the U.K. you only have to look briefly at the equestrian classifieds and you will be sure to see several advertisers offering Sports horses for sale. There are many competition yards that have Sports horses for sale.

 Professional horse producers will often travel to Ireland and mainland Europe to source Sport horses from breeders and farmers.  The horses that are brought back to the U.K. are to be sold to the equestrian competition market. A good professional horse producer will help you find the right horse; you will usually find that there will be quite a few Sports horses for sale at any one yard so you will have plenty of Sports Horses for Sale to view. There are lots of yards devoted Sports horses for sale, so you will always have plenty of horses to look at, if they don’t have a horse that is suitable they will often be able to source a Sports horse for sale that meets your requirements, as they are more than likely to have established equestrian links with farmers and breeders overseas.

It is also possible for you to go to Ireland or the Continent to look for a Sport horses for sale yourself. It is good to look on the internet for Sports Horses for Sale to see if there are any abroad that you like, many yards will offer a service where they collect you from the airport and accommodate you while you view their Sport horses for sale.

If you are ever in doubt about what horse would be most suitable for you must always seek professional help from a reputable source, a person who has expertise in your preferred discipline.

Sports Horses for Sale [http://www.horsewizard.co.uk/marketplace?page=show_category&catid=39]

Horses for Sale

Author: Paul Simms
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Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints’ markings don’t have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse’s body.

So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you’re going to have some curiosity about what they describe.

The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse’s withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse’s legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse’s face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.

On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The “painted spots” are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse’s legs are white – at least from the hocks and knees down – and at least one of the horse’s flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors – both dark and white.

Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse’s neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse’s tail as well.

When you’re looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you’re also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.

Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.

These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family – kids included – will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.

As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses – regardless of the pattern that they displayed – were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.

Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.

Philipe Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of paint horses for sale, used trailers, land for sale.

Author: Philip Wiskell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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