Western
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Airs Above Ground- The Flying Change
It is a movement every rider who jumps or does top level dressage wants to achieve. It is also one of the toughest things to train a horse. It is… The Flying Change! The dictionary defines a flying change as a movement where the leading leg is changed in the air without breaking gait. This movement is used across the board from racing, to dressage, eventing, hunters, jumpers, reining, polo, and so on. Horses who perform this movement in competition use it to show collection, precision, balance, and obedience. It is important to note, a flying change should not be trained too early in your training. Your horse must have…
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What is Western Dressage?
Western dressage originated when a couple of western trainers got together to look for a discipline that would suit a nontraditional western horse and rider. Today’s equine industry is ever changing, and the need for east to meet west was great. Western dressage is based on classical dressage principles, but follows a system of training for the western rider. Similar to classical dressage, western dressage is held in a large or small dressage arena. Judges are still looking for a relaxed, soft topline, good movement, harmony, and accuracy. The difference being that the tests reflect the movements and maneuvers asked of a Western horse. Inclusiveness is important to the Western…
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Warming Up the Older Horse
When getting your horse ready for a show you do conditioning work. You have regular flat days, jumping days, bath days, and rest days. You also have a plan on how to warm your horse up at shows. If it is a new horse to you, you create a new plan. If it is a seasoned competitor, you know the horse has a set routine. The best idea is trial and error. Whatever works for you, may not necessarily be the best for your horse, and vice-versa. Each horse is different. Factors to take into consideration include age, temperament, difficulty level, and discipline. Today we will focus on some ideas…