Would My Horse Be Better at Dressage or Western Pleasure? (Video and Pics)?
I have a 3 yo Quarter horse filly. Since she had epiphycitis, the vet said she can’t jump. I don’t know what I want to do with her, so I thought I’d ask for your help! Dressage or Western Pleasure? If you think of something else, let me know!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3513894395/ right profile , i’m not sure why she looks downhill in this one cuz she’s not
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3514699174/ left side profile
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3513892143/?rotated=1&cb=1241840516015 butt pic!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3514699962/?rotated=1&cb=1241840577921 front view
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3514705162/ cantering
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36830402@N04/3514703996/ trotting
also, let me know what you think of her conformation please!
Dressage training is good for any horse. She looks to be a western pleasure girl. She’s not built for dressage competition and her movement fits better with the pleasure world. When you do start working her, be sure to work her long and low to help her neck out. Good luck!
Looks like a western girl to me!, her trot is very nice and doesnt look soo bouncy, shes listening but isnt distracted and her canter looks beautfiul!
Personally, dressage can be rather hard for quarter horses, but it comes down to what you realy want to do.
I want to say western pleasure for the horse, but if she were mine she’d immediately become a dressage prodigy, even if she wasn’t the best at it. Personally, I want to say she has more chances to progress in western pleasure, but only if – YOU – are very interested in it. If you aren’t, she could be a decent dressage horse at the lower levels (but I can’t guarantee anything at the higher levels without seeing more movement from her).
Anyway, just look into yourself and see what you want the most. Just realize that it wouldn’t kill your horse to switch part way through. For example, the reining rider I’m training with to improve some of my weaker western riding is going to have me play with her quarter horse in dressage, in order to see if it is something he may excell at. If he does, he will be going with me and my swedish warmblood to a few shows.
Good luck
she looks pretty western to me!
it looks like her trot is easy to sit to which is helpful in dressage and western but i think western suits her best.
with a little bit of work getting that head down you would have an awesome pleasure horse. Just because you cant jump doesn’t mean you can’t ride English. All of mine have had training in both.