When the rider uses the halt the horse prepares itself for a new command. There are halts and half- halts. The half- halt is used to signal the horse to slow down or to change into a slower foot sequence or pace. The half- halt is executed by sitting down into the dressage saddle with straightened back and driving legs. The reins are slackened and then tightened slightly in a smooth transition hardly noticable to the observer. The horse recognises that a command is soon to be executed due to straightened back and the simultaneous slight driving of the riders legs. The half- halt is also used to tell the horse to to perform a more ordered movement. For example the half-halt prepares the horse for a change of leg or a change of tempo.
Halts are used to stop the horse and make it stand more correctly. Stopping a horse is just as important as learning to brake in a car. If you do know how to stop a horse you will be subject to the horses will until the horse stops by itself. Fortunately, stopping is one of the easiest lessons in horse riding. The halt is carried out by sitting down into the saddle, staightening your back and a slight tightening of the reins, pulling the hands back slightly or leave them standing (thumbs upright) and if you apply slight pressure to the sides of your horse with your legs as if you are driving it forward, a well trained horse will stop immediately. If these aids are applied together the hind legs of the horse will stop under the centre of gravity of the horse and thus soften the momentum. If you pull the reins too tightly it will not have the desired affect.
If a horse does not react to the aids when you are introducing the halt a sequence of half-halts will surely convince it to stop.
Reward your horse when he does well and always finish on a positive note.
ENJOY!
The seat is the dressage rider’s most influence point of focus on the horse. The rider should sit naturally upright from the seat in the dressage saddle and let the legs and arms work independently from the upper body. The correct criteria for the seat position is ear, shoulder, hip and heel alignment. This position should be maintained when the horse moves forward and engages in both upward and downward transitions.
The seat is the first area to develop within the rider. The rider’s balance is acquired with an independent seat that follows the motion of the horses gait. The reins should not be used for support or balance nor should the legs be squeezed against the horses sides. If instead of balancing the rider grips with any area of the body the use of aids will be inhibited thus interfering with the horses movements.
The basic foundation of a good seat is a symmetrical well balanced and relaxed upper body. Shoulders need to be symmetrical as well as hips and toes (toes facing forward). Any asymmetry in the rider will affect the horses training and muscle development. The seat including the upper body and head must move naturally with the horse’s three gaits, walk, trot and canter. Common areas of the body that become misaligned are the head, shoulders, and lower leg. When the head goes forward the seat and upper body move forward and the lower leg moves back. Alignment is lost, balanced is lost and aids cannot be used effectively.
When the seat is balanced and relaxed in the saddle the legs will naturally fall into place. It may all seem a bit awkward to begin with but with practise and perseverance it will all fall into place and eventually you and your horse will discover how comfortable it can actually be. Horse and rider will be in harmony.
ENJOY!
In dressage competion you must ride in a dressage style saddle. Dressage competition rules and procedures detail what tack your horse may wear when you are riding in an official competition test and also in the warm up area. Be aware, if you do not abide by these rules you could face the worst scenario, ELIMINATION!
The rules include general purpose saddle and do not exclude jumping type saddles. You cannot ride a dressage test in a stock saddle, a western saddle, a military saddle or a racing pad.
An english style dressage saddle has straight cut flaps, a deep seat, large flat panels, knee rolls and long girth points.
The deep seat will encourage the rider to sit down into the saddle with a more secure seat. The positioning of the knee rolls and the straight cut flaps encourage the rider to attain the long staighter looking leg position.
The longer girth points used with a shorter girth means that the girth buckles sit lower down on the horse’s side, this will allow the rider to have more contact or a closer contact with the horse’s sides.
The larger flat panels will distribute the riders weight evenly over the area of the horse’s back.
Both leather and synthetic saddles can be used, colour is not an issue although black is the traditional colour for dressage.
You can use any type of girth that is comfortable for your horse.
Most riders use a two bar stirrup with a rubber tread to secure their riding boot, stops the boot from slipping. There are no restrictions on what type of stirrup you use.
A monkey grip can be fitted to your saddle for all dressage levels.
To acheive the best performance the dressage saddle you choose to use should fit your horse correctly and be comfortable for both horse and rider. ENJOY!
This site is for the horserider looking for a Dressage Saddle that will perform.. The Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle has it all, perfect for the Dressage Arena or Showring. A most impressive saddle, providing horse and rider with comfort and performance, the best in traditional and innovative saddlery..You will be impressed with this Bates Saddle..
UNIQUE FEATURES
Bates Saddles boasts the revolutionary Cair Panel System. The saddle is filled with air, not the traditional stuffing, this allows the horse to stay comfortable whilst evenly distributing weight eliminating pressure points. With the horses changing shape, the saddle will adjust fluidly.. The cushioning nature of air will help your horse to soften, relax and engage.. Being seated closer to your horse resulting in more affective seat aids..
No problem with movement, the Y-Girthing system secures the Dressage saddle front and back..Adusted easily to fit your horses shape..
Bates Elastiflex Tree is guaranteed for the life of the saddle, assurance of quality. Works extremely well with muscle co-ordination of the horses movement and has good lateral flex, rigid in the head to maintain clearance of the withers..
So practical with a horses changing shape, the Easy Change Gullet System with fractional fit gullets to chose from, range from narrow to extra wide..
POSITION OF THE RIDER
Providing a well balanced comfortable seat the Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle is narrow in the waist and wide in the seat to balance the rider. Will not ride down, can be ridden in all day due to the high tech seat..
Maintaining the correct leg position, knee and lower leg is assisted with the soft knee inserts in the Bates Dressage Saddle..
The adjustable Flexibloc System in the Bates Saddle allows the rider to individually tailor knee and thigh position to secure and stabilize a well balanced leg position..
The Stirrup Bars are uniquely positioned in the Dressage Saddle set further back than the traditional bar.
NOTE: correct dressage position assured, ear, shoulder, hip and heel alignment..
APPEARANCE
Pre-stretched and heavily waxed leather points for long durability and increased performance are another benefit of the Caprilli Dressage Saddle. Aniline dyed leathers as opposed to pigment finish, the leathers are hand picked.. The Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle, a beautifully crafted result..
Selling the most volume of saddles in the world today under the one brand name, Bates Australia.. It has become one of the most respected manufactures of riding and racing saddles in the world today..
INVESTMENT
The Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle well worth the investment!
You can purchase you saddle from
http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=448115&b=187574&m=23612&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ehorseloverz%2Ecom%2Fm%2DBates%2D47%2Ehtml
They are a 100% secure site so you can rest assured that your details are protected when ordrering. ENJOY!
The Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle has it all, perfect for the Dressage Arena or Showring. The best in traditional and innovative saddlery to provide you and your horse with the utmost in comfort and performance. You will not be disappointed in this Bates Saddle.
UNIQUE FEATURES
Bates Saddles boasts the revolutionary Cair Panel System. The saddle is filled with air, not the traditional stuffing, this allows the horse to stay comfortable whilst evenly distributing weight eliminating pressure points. Fluidly adjusting, the saddle will mould to the horses changing shape. The cushioning nature of air encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage. You will be seated closer to your horse this will result in more effective seat aids.
The Y-Girthing System secures the Dressage Saddle front and back preventing movement. It can also be adjusted to suite the horses shape.
Bates Elastiflex Tree is guaranteed for the life of the saddle, assurance of quality. Rigid in the head to maintain clearance of the withers but has good lateral flex to work in co-ordination with the horses muscle movement.
Easy Change Gullet System with fractional fit gullets to choose from, ranging from narrow to extra wide, so practical with a horse changing shape.
POSITION OF THE RIDER
Providing a well balanced comfortable seat the Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle is narrow in the waist and wide in the seat to balance the rider. Won’t ride down, this saddle is comfortable and can be ridden in all day due to the high tech seat.
The soft knee inserts in the Bates Dressage Saddle assist the rider in maintaining the correct leg position in the knee and lower leg.
With the adjustable Flexibloc System in the Bates Saddle the rider is able to individually tailor their thigh and knee to secure and stabilize a well balanced leg position.
The Stirrup Bars are uniquely positioned in the Dressage Saddle set further back than the traditional bar.
NOTE: ensures the rider sits in the correct dressage position, ear, shoulder, hip and heel alignment.
APPEARANCE
Pre-stretched and heavily waxed leather points for long durability and increased performance are another benefit of the Bates Saddle
Luxurious leathers hand picked, aniline dyed as opposed to pigment finish. The result is a beautifully crafted Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle.
Bates Australia is the biggest volume seller of saddles under one brand name in the world. It has become one of the most respected manufacturers of racing and riding saddles in the world today.
INVESTMENT
The Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddle well worth the investment!
Click below to purchase you saddle
http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=448115&b=187574&m=23612&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Ehorseloverz%2Ecom%2Fm%2DBates%2D47%2Ehtml
They are a 100% secure site so you can rest assured that your details are protected when ordrering. ENJOY!