Simple Dressage Question…. Sorry I'm a Beginner.?
I have a very young Friesian/Arabian than is an excellent mover. I rarely ever ride english but recently i have more. I am interested in dressage but know barely anything about it. While riding in my arena what should i do to get ready. or practice for dressage and get my horse ready?
Dressage Arena
For you ,make sure you keep in mind a deep seat, weight on your heels, good balance and posture, light but not weak hands, and clear communication.
Flexibility, strength, and endurance are all important in Dressage for both horse and rider.
Dressage basics start with general suppling and collection exercises. Exercises like serpentines, 20 meter circles, 10 meter circles, caveletti poles, and transitions from one gait to another. To start to ask for basic collection and impulsion gently squeeze your fingers until your horse lowers head to even level where pole is still highest part of body but their nose does not stick out/it is perpendicular to the ground. As soon as horse horse head their release fingers to create a reward system. Just make sure as you are teaching your horse to collect it is still moving freely and rhythmically forward and the impulsion should start from th hindquarters and move forward. As horse gets better at collection you can start to take it stronger collection. It takes years to achieve great collection so be patient and have fun.
I agree lessons will help you significantly.