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Lameness in the Dressage Horse by Dr. Craig Roberts

Dr. Roberts came back to Jacksonville, and gave another excellent clinic on lameness in dressage horses for the North Florida Dressage Association. Dr. Roberts' practice is limited to lameness evaluations of performance horses and pre-purchase exams. He came with another wonderful set of slides to complement his excellent lecture. Dr. Roberts did give us some good advice on buying a horse. He said never by a horse that does not have a negative Coggins and never buy a horse that is lame. He said you would be surprised at how many people ignore that advice. Continued - PDF>

The North Florida Dressage Association's president, Wanda Wiggins, hosted a yoga class for the NFDA members at her home on Tuesday, May 15th . Sarah Deprin, a professional yoga instructor from Cobalt Moon in Jacksonville Beach, taught the class. The class was for beginner yoga students with emphasis on riding. Even though Sarah is not a rider herself, she did give excellent advice on what yoga positions would be of most benefit to riders. She also explained that muscles should not be stretched until after they were properly warmed up. She also had everyone breathing differently; deeper breaths with more relaxation.

Breathing properly is very fundamental to yoga. The members did several stretches, after warming up, that help to improve posture and opened up the hip angle. When trying a difficult stretch, Sarah had us focusing on something in the distance that didn't move. She explained that to focus helps to calm the mind and keeps you from getting too stressed. Definitely a good idea to practice before entering the ring at A.

She also used excellent imagery. "Think of your heels as having a roots that plunge into the ground". This was very similar to the imagery she used on us in the class. "Think of your feet as having roots plunging into the ground as you lean forward". Sarah also explained if you are having a problem with your horse, you and your horse should make peace with each other and forgive each other before you can go on. That was, I thought, very good equestrian advice from a non rider. Don't most trainers want you to do just that? Find out what the horse's issues are and resolve them before you can make progress.

Sarah's closing statement at the end of her classes was to have everyone breathing in and out harmoniously. This is a great feeling, everyone breathing in sync. She said riders should try to do this with their horses. The horse and rider breathing in and out harmoniously would bring great peace to both of them, and with that peace, greater cooperation between them. And isn't that what dressage is all about? A harmony between horse and rider toward a common goal? By Margaret Scarff (NFDA):

From Kathy Daly of KDEquine Training:

• To help bend your horse for a circle, lightly step on the inside stirrup.  This will put weight on your inside seatbone and allow your horse to feel the turn properly without you just pulling his head around in that direction. 
• As the front end comes off the track, rebalance your weight so your horse does not collapse to the inside.  Be sure that your inside shoulder follows your turn and your outside leg is slightly back to keep your horse's hind from falling out in the turn. 
• Drive your horse with an active inner leg to the supportive outer aids. 
• Visualize your circle ahead BEFORE you get there - look at the next spot that you will be turning on the circle to be sure you make a round circle and not a "D". 
• Gently squeeze and release or flutter the inside rein in rhythm with your leg and seat pressure to encourage your horse to round his back.

Practical Horseman, June 2001 - Klaus Balkenhol:

A good seat is a balanced, influential aid, not an extreme position.

• Torso erect.
• Shoulder blades back.
• Head free and eyes ahead.
• Elbows on ribs.
• Forearms creating straight lines from elbow to to closed fist to bit.
• Seat bones, crotch, and insides of the thighs on the horse.
• Knees back as far as they can go ans still keep the shoulders, hips, and heels aligned (knees farther back and you're perching; farther forward and you're in a chair seat).
• Calves one hand's width behind the girth for a driving aid, slightly farther back for a supporting aid.
• Ankles supple and flexible.
• Toes up but not tense and out at just enough of an angle to avoid touching your horse's elbows.
• NOW - relax! and constantly check and correct your position so you stay balanced.

Tips for executing a correct turn on the forehand Continued>

How to make the most of your hunter/jumper lessons Continued>

Show nerves - relaxation? Continued>

Can the Western horse enter at A? It's true that some western trainers already use a few elements of classical training--"cowboy dressage"-in their riding programs. Continued>

Knowledge for free - become a show scribe. Here are the nuts and bolts of becoming a scribe: etiquette while scribing, what to expect while scribing and most of all, how to make the most of your experience to further you own education. Continued>

Canadians Turn Dressage at Devon Into Maple Leaf Affair. Neil Ishoy, back in competition after a 17-year hiatus, led the charge with back-to-back grandprix wins on Linda Fowler's Andiamo/Tyme. Continued>

Keep your horse's attention in a rail class Continued