Ontario Dressage

Comment

Comment by Ferrous on November 9, 2009 at 3:20pm

I agree with Queenrider... it is a load of hooey. Correct dressage training results in an athletic, balanced horse that willingly accepts the bit... qualities that are as desirable in a driving horse as they are in a saddle horse. The dressage component of combined driving is similar to a ridden dressage test.

Teaching your horse to drive is useful when training a horse for dressage under saddle. Teaching a horse in hand can be a good way to work with a youngster, to introduce new movements, or to give your horse a bit of variety in its workout without always carrying a rider. A horse that is trained to drive already understands the mechanics required for long-lining (or ground-driving). My Canadian Horse is only two and so I am currently working with him from the ground using lines. Teaching him to drive will allow me to start his education well before he is ever under saddle.

Additionally, driving horses must cross their legs in order to turn while between rigid shafts... this ability often translates to a horse nicely crossing its legs when doing lateral work under saddle. I love doing lateral movements on my friend's horse who is well trained as a driving horse, because he does step under himself well and he crosses his legs beautifully. :)

Canadian Horses get bored easily and they really enjoy new and interesting tasks, so if your horse has the relaxed temperament to be a driving horse, and if you are interested in driving, then go for it! Their versatility is one of the really fun things about owning a Canadian Horse. :)

Comment by Queenrider on November 9, 2009 at 11:03am

It is a load of hooey. Horses can do dressage under saddle or driving if you don't mind the extra cost of the harness and cart. Correctly done dressage strenghtens the horses core and improves flexibility, balance and coordination.
I have a 3 year old Canadian gelding that I have broken to saddle. He spent his two year old year pulling a small cart.

Comment by Laurie Haughton on September 19, 2009 at 5:00pm

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse Auction
Saturday September 26th, 2009
website : http://www.rcmp-f.ca/auction/

Login to "Auction in Motion" as my guest using the following:
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“There is no mistaking the outstanding bloodlines selected by the RCMP breeding program. The high quality breeding from the farm in Pakenham, Ontario coupled with the thorough and proficient training makes all of the horses presented for sale at the RCMP Horse Auction an outstanding value. The horses from the breeding program translate into wonderful sport horses and good friends.”

Ian D. Millar CM, LLD. Canadian Olympian

Comment by Roxy on July 17, 2008 at 9:10pm

HI everyone,
I have a Canadian mare that I would like to do dressage with, but I would also like to drive her. I had been told in the past that you should not drive a dressage horse because it makes them build up the wrong muscles. But it seems to me that a carriage horse meeds to work on the hind quarter just as much as a saddle horse does, so what's the diff? Has anyone else heard this or is it a load of hooey?