The Theory of Dressage

[@amanda7263]

This is amazing. You’re clearly a decorated rider, and you’re providing your knowledge in an eloquent, understandable way to people without seeming pretentious. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of that as a beginner in my late 30’s. So, thank you so much. I can tell how hard you’ve worked and that you truly care about riding, dressage or otherwise. 🎉👏🏼🙌🏼☺️❤️❤️❤️

[@Flying0Dismount]

It's important to understand that a "half halt" is NOT any particular sequence or combination of aids, but *any* aid which gets the horse "back on track" when you feel any aspect of the training scale is not quite right.. My first Grand Prix coach, who was also an FEI judge would watch me ride and would often say "Nice half halt!" , and in a lot of cases, I would be thinking: "But I didn't do anything..." What she saw, and what I didn't realize at the time was that as I learned to apply the training scale in my riding I began giving cues to the horse to keep rhythm, stay supple, restore connection, improve impulsive, correct straightness, etc, and to her judge's eye, she saw the changes to the horse's movement even though I didn't realize I was doing anything or to associate the things that I was doing as a half halt at the time.. So basically, a half halt can be anything ranging from the deliberate rein, leg and seat aid that is commonly taught to beginners as a "half halt", to a subtle and invisible change of weight in the seat which asks the horse to fix its overall balance (ie, eventually, you and the horse learn to fix even thing in one go).. Basically, any time you give an aid which addresses a deficiency in the training scale that you feel while riding is actually a half halt. On less well trained horses and less experienced riders, we may need to give more deliberate aids, repeated these aids over and/or use many different sets of aids to fix issues on an individual basis, but as you and the horse get better, you'll find that you are able to get more across to the horse in a single message or more properly, that you feel and respond to the root cause sooner vs the later individual symptoms.. The big key however, is really thinking about the aspects of the training scale as you ride and giving aids to fix what you feel is deficient in the training scale elements vs what most beginners do, and think of riding a horse like driving a car and just work on gas, brake and steering... A horse is not a car, and if you learn instead to ask a horse for forward energy, to maintain a steady rhythm, develop a steady connection and stay straight, all those beginner perceptions of a horse being "stubborn" and not wanting to go and not wanting to stay on the track in the corners all seem to magically disappear..

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awesome!! Thank you for sharing this insight!

[@SusannMarieDye]

Flying0Dismount Thank you! I think my confidence in my riding just improved about tenfold reading your comment. I have a lot to learn but being able to trust my instincts/feel in relationship to improving my horses way of going and ultimately according to the training scale just liberated my riding from all the aids. One needs to learn the rules - correct application of the aids and understand theory, but liberating fun part is when you have gone beyond that and can make the spontaneous small adjustments that never become the aid we would use if thinking to hard about it and very likely apply to late to begin with. This is at least very true of the half-halt. I am very in sync with my very first horse and trail horse Dillon, I could improve his way of going in all his gaits with little adjustments, but didn’t know I could call our secret language half-halts. All I thought I was trying to do was keep him with me and stopping him from trotting like battering ram, so that I could have a more comfortable ride and lighten up his feet a bit or keep him from cantering all strung out and on the forehand so he would feel more under my seat and together covering the ground more effortlessly rather feeling he was going to fall on his face. All my fixes for those things with him were half halts and resulted in the harmony I felt with my trail horse/heart horse Dillon. Now I think I will relax a bit more in lessons on my new horse and enjoy the fact that perhaps all of this dressage stuff need not be so systematically applied and over thought but can develop naturally overtime in our lessons together like finding the harmony I had on the trail with Dillon. Thank you for the great comment.

[@valeriecooper2706]

@Flying Dismount thank you!! That is an excellent description of "half halt"!! 😁🥰

[@warhorse65]

@@SusannMarieDye At the risk of stepping on toes, one doesn't have to tell the horse. From my limited experience, the horse* is way, way smarter than I. Spent a summer on a squirrlley QH that the cowboys didn't like. (Turns out the big boy didn't like spurs. Ditch the spurs, and Mr QH would climb a Saguaro for me. That seems arrogant now, but looking back, in that moment, it was pretty cool.) Best ride ever - bareback (on a WB mare) with a halter for bridle and leadrope for reins. That's when I got half-halts and shoulder-in. (Truth - I'm not smart enough to make that up.) (Cheat - my instructor was a middle-aged DWB with torn suspensories.Okay, one of my instructors. There have been TBs and Mustangs in the mix. *said equine is my own creation/daughter - I just think what I want (bare is better than saddled) and she does it. Friesian cross. Pinto. (Never breed for color! So of course I did. Stupid.) Oh, the intelligence of the horse. Beyond brilliant. It took me while to figure out - they're not just watching my physical actions, but my respiration and heart-rate. Scary smart. My best defense (as a horseman and massage therapist) is to get really stupid really fast. Accept that I've already been out-smarted. Half-halt. Don't do it, think it. Massage client with a reputation for violence- don't do it, think it.

[@jameswoodard6271]

I agree. I want a 3 month class (classroom instruction) on dressage foundation and theory. 👍👍

[@peggybartlett9699]

Amelia - You need to read the book - "You Are The Placebo" by Dr Joe Dispenza. I listen to it as a book on tape when I walk. You will love it. I am 74 & have been riding with a fused ankle for over 40 years so I well know the struggles you are going thru. Thank you for your generousity , God bless you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I will take a listen, thank you

[@lindav3747]

This is an appetizer to your master classes and Amelia’s Dressage Academy. An energizing half halt to all of us riders of any level saying: “listen up, something’s coming”!!!!!!

[@gayleudall7971]

Thanks for clarifying IMPULSION! I did not realize I misunderstood it. You are absolutely right that in a 45 minute lesson, one does not get the overall theory. Bits and pieces perhaps but after a gazillion lessons I am just beginning to get the picture!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Join the monthly workshops - I have an entire one on impulsion - www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/academy/

[@candacewade767]

Okay, I'm a geek, but I believe that this info and making them natural is valuable for any kind of intentional, quality, safe and successful riding. The beauty is in the details. Once again, I'm excited to nail the basics presented in this video. Thank you.

[@smlmentorship1969]

Excellent presentation on the theory of dressage very clear and helpful!!

[@syzygyfarm]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I love all your videos & really appreciate your clear instruction. I'm bringing along a young horse & we struggled with contact and connection in our first dressage show recently. Time to look into the academy!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes!!

[@janicegrasse727]

Could you direct me regarding signing up please

[@gofunsailingzeilvakantie3764]

I liked your 2 minutes talk about the half halt. My horse is not always so much forward and than the half halt must be completely different from when he much more forward. Thank you for explaining

[@debistevens3238]

Perfect information that has helped my horse and me so much. I am looking forward to your academy and enjoying my homework! Thanks so much!

[@falizianme5846]

Cool! Love it and can't wait for the Academy! The training scale course was so amazing and helpful! Cant reccomend it enough! ❤

[@dianacolombus]

Love all the theory!

[@hockeycoach1on1]

The fundamentals of riding are the foundation to performance, great vid, very easy to understand. The western discipline could do with more ideas of foundational education. This coming from a guy who only rode western then learned how to ride classical for a better understanding of riding. Best education ever, it's very nice to hear what you have to say, Thank you

[@silvanagarcia1006]

Amazing Amelia, thank you!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're very welcome!

[@brunocortesgoncalves366]

Hi Amelia, love your videos. I struggle with collected canter. Could you make a video about the aids legs, belly, reins for collected canter? My coach often says the belly must be burning . Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Bruno! I'm going to put this into the list but here is a video that I made previously that might help you until I make a new one! Don't forget to subscribe on youtube to get notified of my new weekly content! Thanks so much for watching!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you want help getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, come to my FREE webinar on Rider Position and Biomechanics on June 5th. bit.ly/3sJTa5R

[@anettelober2763]

Love youre instructions ❤very pedagogically.

[@chandorequestrian]

Omg! I'm the same way with the "contact". I came from showing Arabian western pleasure where we had NO contact with the bit. I still struggle with taking contact with my OTTBs!

[@beateindahl8100]

Thank you for the time and effort you put in these videos, they are so helpful and easy to understand :)

[@jocelynemeurant6259]

Promise I will join your academy soon... first we are building a small arena for my daily training 🤩 can’t wait any longer 🇫🇷

[@artspro]

Very helpful video! Thank you 🙏

[@sammisunshine169]

thank you soo much!!

[@Miss-Laine]

Hello. Do you have recommendations for surcingle?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Surcingles are tricky! I like to look for ones that are sturdy and leather. Once you find a good one: Hold on to it!!

[@sarahposey7166]

Your comments about blisters and sore shoulders when learning to ride dressage is absolutely frightening! Sore body from cirrect position, yes. You described a forced frame!

[@anababakhina]

v helpful! 🌺

[@anababakhina]

🙏

[@mex-prehorses3402]

Hi! How do I sign up for the academy?..Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Here is the link!

[@marthadodd1]

I don’t see the link

[@mex-prehorses3402]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage i don't see the link either

[@dianaimpossible7196]

It's in describtion 😂

[@i.k.equestrian7797]

Hi Amelia! I follow you since the beginning of your Channel. I'm from Italy and I learned a lot from your training videos! I have a problem with my horse. When i ask her a canter Walk canter transition on the left side She puts her anches too much on the inside. Can you do a video about the simple change in canter? I have a Channel too so you can check my riding there! Or i can send you a video and you can comment that on your Channel. Hope you read my comment 🙂

[@ComicStarer]

Nice

[@brucepeek3923]

Yes Dressage is a systematic form of training.. But, no the real purpose of dressage is not to contemplate your navel in the German training scale.. The german training scale is just bits and pieces of methods to get your horse to lift his back into bascule, because when a horse bascules they must collect. True collection requires the horse to evenly weight their legs and feet and body balance. This will preserve their soundness which is the only real humane goal of riding. The humane riding goal does not have to do with winning ribbons or impressing others with how great you are.. As for the training scale- rhythm, suppleness, connection, impulsion straightness and finally collection are needlessly complicated.. The real training scale is calm, straight, and then forward.. You keep your horse calm, so that you can make him straight. After you have made him calm and straight then you can rife him forward. Also the horses topline does not work.. The work is done by the horses bottom line- his stomach muscles. For his back to lift the dorsal - top line muscles must remain loose and pliable- not locked down. best Bruce Peek

[@ComicStarer]

First to comment like and view

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay!!