The Beauty Of Dressage Horses

A dressage horse can technically be any horse that is used in the sport of dressage. However, many people think of European warmblood horses when they hear the phrase dressage horse, and for good reason. Most of the dressage riders who have competed and won in the Olympic Games have done so on European warmblood horses. These horses are noted for their good conformation and willing temperaments, as well as for the beauty and grace that they display as they perform various dressage movements. At the highest level, dressage horses are athletes without equal that perform equestrian ballet in front of thousands of captivated fans.

Dressage horses require years of training in order to reach the highest levels of the sport. When they compete, they are scored against the perfect ideal of a horse performing the various dressage movements. This is why dressage horses cannot be said to be taught tricks in the way circus horses often are. A dressage horse must perform the movements of a dressage test not out of rote memory but instead because he is listening to the aids being given to him by the rider. Dressage judges are very precise in their scoring, and they want to make sure a horse is not anticipating a move and instead is doing it because it is being asked of him at that time.

Breeds Of Dressage Horses

There are some breeds that are very popular with dressage riders and trainers the world over. These breeds include the Danish Warmblood, the Hanoverian, the Oldenburg and the Westphalian. Many of these breeds were originally created to be carriage horses, which is why they often have high and clean leg movement along with stout backs and strong hindquarters. Many European carriage horses in the 18th and 19th centuries had a mixture of draft and Arabian blood in them. This Arabian influence can sometimes still be seen in the beautifully refined heads of many dressage horses around the world.

Besides the European warmbloods, there are other breeds of horses that have done well at various levels of dressage. In the Americas, it is relatively common to see Morgans, Spanish Mustangs and even Quarter horses being used as dressage horses. These three breeds tend to be smaller than their European counterparts, but they have the clean movement and soundness that are sought after by dressage trainers everywhere. An added benefit of these types of horses is that their temperament and sturdy conformation make them highly suitable for other types of equestrian activities as well.

Dressage Horses From Different Sports

Some dressage horses enter the sport after having competed in other equestrian sports. Thoroughbreds that were originally bred to be raced have been trained to do dressage, as well as show jumpers. Dressage is particularly beneficial for show jumping horses that can no longer jump due to injury. Some of these horses have found a second lease on life by learning to perform in the dressage arena. Dressage competition can be perfect for horses that are already trained as show horses and are used to the noise and distractions that dressage horses take for granted.