Kayleigh Hirsh asked " Is your curb chain behind your bit? " Kayleigh, This horse is using a snaffle bit and it is customary to put a smooth leather ( metal / chain is not allowed) strap BELOW the reins to help prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth. The strap must not be above the reins as this will change the action of the bit.
Note....with Rommel reins it is customary to hold the extra rein about 16 inches down from the rein hand with the free hand. If you hold the rein in your right hand the free rein will be in your left hand, unlike split reins that if you hold in right hand the extra rein drapes down the right side of the neck. You are not allowed to use the free rein as a driving aid.
TY Rosemary. I am starting my cutting horse into Western Dressage and I turn my toes out and have to keep remembering to keep them neutral.... Aghhh Not so easy after years of toes out LOL
Hi..so sorry for being so long with a response!!!! The toes out actually initiates in your hips! A lot of riders roll their hips out and sit on the back of their thighs...this takes the leg out of alignment and "pop" out go the toes ! If you want to have a better seat and allow your toes to come more into alignment you need to start with how you sit in the saddle. I use an exercise called "legs away" where you can start with one leg at a time and lift it away from the saddle all the way to the hip, then draw your leg out back and in the same motion push your heels "down back and out" Then let you leg..not draw your leg... lower your leg softly back on to the saddle. You should have the feeling you are now on the front of your thigh, but in reality you will only be on the true inside of your thigh. relax your leg and you will notice how much longer your legs feel. repeat with other leg!! To start with you may have to push with your hand(s) on the saddle to get this done, and eventually you will be able to just loosen your leg and do a mini legs away...think heels down, back and out. As you get better at letting your leg relax ( in the beginning you won't have contact with your horses side!!) the outside muscles in your leg will stretch and allow your leg to hang correctly, then your toes won't be pointing east and west!! you do have to realize humans and horses are all built a little different so not all horse and riders are a good match for the perfect leg position AND you do NOT need to have a perfect parallel foot on the horse, the best position is a slight toes out....unless you are extremely bowlegged! ;) Another thing I have my students become aware of is how they naturally walk, do they walk with their toes east and west? Chances are they do to some extent! When you can, think about walking with your feet straight...find some sand or someplace you leave footprints and have fun :) Stay safe and ride with a Smile:) Rosemary
The demonstration really made sense for me. Finally! I've been riding for 10 years and could not 'get it' right. I tend to get tense in stirrups and that must be making me sit up more instead of on my seat.
you are allowed to use any western saddle, I suggest it is one that fits your horse and you! Be comfortable, if somewhere down the line you decide you want to upgrade your saddle you might want to check out some of the new "western dressage" saddles they are now making,,, I ride in my reining saddle as it has plenty of freedom in the fenders for leg position. But you do not need to run out and buy a fancy saddle :)
Update, western dressage is a fast growing new USEF sport. There will be changes in the rules as time goes on to help improve the sport as well as clarify what the western dressage horse is. On that note, a plain leather noseband is now being allowed, it can not be cranked tight! Please go to www.westerndressageassociation.org ,WDAA, for the current rules and tests :)
Chuck Bartok I am glad to hear western dressage is taking off in northern California!! It is a fantastic new sport that I believe is filling a much needed gap. There will be many who will take advantage of the soft systematic training to improve their horsemanship and the relationship they have with their horse, many who will use this to improve their working horse for another discipline and those who wish to compete in western dressage,but without a doubt, western dressage is fast becoming an exciting new part of the horse world. The WDAA has done an outstanding job on getting western dressage recognized by USEF and providing guidance and educational opportunities for those of us professional to be well educated and well informed in the development of this well needed discipline! They have also been incredibly generous on providing information about western dressage and where to find professionals that are participating in the educational programs they are offering. There is a lot of information on their web site for everyone to use as well as the rules and tests . www.westerndressageassociation.org There are many of us who have been participating in WDAA educational programs that are available to come conduct clinics and starting in 2015 some of us will have our USEF western dressage judges card as we complete the first WDAA's judges program! Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with :) Rosemary E. Root AQHA Professional Horsewoman USDF The Art of Teaching 2012 2012 ~ WDAA Train the Trainers ~ 2014 WDAA Judges Seminar 2014 WDAA~ USDF ~ AQHA ~ NRHA ~ NEDA ~ NERHA ~ APHA ~ Vermont Horse Council Western Dressage of Vermont www.NewHorizonsVt.com
yes, you can at this time. As always, be sure to check the rules at www.westerndressageassociation.org for updates and changes as well as a wealth of educational information. WDAA ~ Western Dressage Association of America the source for western dressage !
Yes. The snaffle for western dressage is based on the stage of training , not on the age of the horse. Generally a snaffle is used at the lower levels and must be used 2 handed.