All around horses?

[Celtic Hill]

i think you are going to get a lot of different answers here, but i strongly believe that dressage is the basis of all kinds of riding, so if you take some dessage lessons you will greatly benefit from them and help you in the end.

 

[welsummerchicks]

We had a show jumper, kind of a big show jumper at our barn to get her green horses trained. We used to love to put her up on a dressage horse and hear her squeal at the top of her lungs - 'These horses are SO BROKE!!!!'

(broke meaning well trained).

Dressage training is where all horses in some countries, basically start. They learn dressage, and then after(or to an extent, during), jumping, eventing, or whatever. But in the US, there are many different 'training systems' - western, gaited, even hunt seat is very, very different training from dressage. So in theory, I think the lady is absolutely right, and it certainly could be that way far, far more here - but with everyone having their own idea how to train, how it works out is anyone's guess.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Thanks everyone!!!!

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Quote:
I know!!

Thanks!!

 

[welsummerchicks]

I figured, I only put it in there, 'cause to my vet, 'broke' means, 'standing on three legs with the fourth one dangling in the air'. I once told him a horse was 'very broke' as he was walking to the stall, and he yelled, 'Get the XRAY machine!!!'

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

HaHa!!!
A vet??

 

[welsummerchicks]

yep. One tip for finding a dressage teacher, 'USDF Certified' is a very, very good thing. USDF is the United States Dressage Federation. They train dressage teachers.

I think you should talk to your trainer/instructor about it. S/he might feel she can handle all of it - some instructors are very versatile. Too, it's like what the other folks said on this thread, if you have good general control of your horse you can do well enough to win that award. Unless you HAVE to go in ALL those events, if you can pick say 2, say, it's easier. With some horses, it's hard to combine gaming with anything else, it gets some of them too excited. Others do fine.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I know!!

Thanks!!

Yeah, people say my horses are broke because EVENTUALLY they will accept a saddle. That is NOT broken if you ask me.

 

[chickenzoo]

When i was growing up I always wanted a horse, we were finally able to have one when I was around 16. She was an abused, older palomino mare who knew very little but was all I could afford at the time. I grew up riding wild ponys off the Chesapeake, but was not a "skilled rider" as far as lessons, we couldn't afford them. I went to the library all the time and read and read books upon books on training horses, how to ride, both english & western. I would go to shows and just sit and watch people and their horses, who placed etc.. I would talk to other riders. I had people give me left over tack and advice, I did a lot of reading, then would go out and try it on my horse. I eventually trained both of us to do all sorts of things, not the best at any but good enough to be happy and place at a few. I did English classes,a little dressage, jumped small fences, western & trail classes, games .... costume classes....all types. I could do anything with that horse, she was all heart despite not being the prettiest or having the best conformation. I could ride her down a highway, right in the middle, horns blarring and she went forward with out a twitch. She trusted me, and would do anything I asked. I still think she was the best horse I ever had. I had found her in a junk yard, skin & bones, ears drooping, lip hanging, given up on the world. She walked over to me and looked me straight in the face, right in my eyes, my heart. I had to take her home, and never never regretted it. Talk to people, read a lot, enjoy what ever you do and enjoy your horse.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Thanks!!
Does anyone know what kind of jumps would be in a hunter class?