Versatile Dressage
Hello, Just created my website, calling it Versatile Dressage. The reader may remember that somewhere in my other posts, I'm challenging the modern notion of dressage as only a performance discipline to a wider, more inclusive definition that harkens back to the way dressage was meant to be, that is as a training method for the versatile horse and rider. In this regard, the picture above is not of a typical performing dressage rider but rather a trainer in a western saddle using a curb bit on a Spanish stallion. This is all counter modern dressage culture. As a training method, dressage was meant to be versatile, applicable to all horse sports and disciplines. The challenge is to be able to do this while preserving the classical principles. What are those? That is a subject for my next post.
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Hi Carol, I was just about to log out and go to bed when the picture of your beautiful stallion popped up. I look forward to following your website and posts. It should be very educational.
Doesn't dressage mean something along the lines of extremely well trained? Or am I imagining that since dressage horses and their riders progress through different stages of training.
Have a good night.
There are different stages of training. That's the good news. but it's way different than just a well trained horse. That is it for sure, but you could have a well trained horse that did reining or roping. These horses are on the forehand. A good dressage riding or performance horse will have shifted his weight to the hind end, approaching collection. More later.
That makes sense. I had not taken the time to consider the subtle difference between the dressage horse and a reiner - both of which are well trained athletes.
Yes, I would say a horse trained in dressage methods implies a well trained horse. But the word "dressage" doesn't mean a well trained horse doing anything, in my mind. I'm working on a series of articles which define dressage principles which, I believe, should be applied across the board to arrive at an extremely well trained horse. Great to hear from you, Sondra.
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Seems like an interesting niche, definitely not crowded! When you are ready, I have some suggestions for monetization besides just working with Amazon.
Thanks so much, Jeannine. Yes, I am interested and will get back to you.