EQUESTRIAN
Training horses
with Robert Booth BHSI
Equine trainer
Rodgebrook Horses
Tel: 01983 521870
www.rodgebrookhorses.co.uk
Winning features of
a performance horse
I
n modern dressage, a lot of emphasis
is placed on type and movement
of the horse, with emphasis on the
lighter, more elegant type with more
knee and hock action. The same also
goes for the showjumper, who needs
scope, technique and carefulness over
the fence. Something I always look for
in a performance horse is not only trot
but also a good canter with spring and
ground cover in his pace, enthusiasm
to move forward, and scope, agility and
lightness of step, especially in a jumper.
Presence will make him stand out in
a crowd and make him memorable, a
factor that is more important for the
dressage horse. We can judge a horse
by watching him loose, but it is not
until he is ridden that we can assess his
trainability and attitude.
A horse recently sent to us for
breaking, has in my opinion, the
making of a lovely, top class dressage
horse. This is a three year-old gelding
purchased from Germany by the grand
prix dressage stallion Bretton Woods
out of a Rhodium mare. Bred for the
job, he already stands at 17 hands,
a light, tall and elegant horse, quite
spectacular when loose and since he
has been broken has proved that he
wants to perform. He still shows his
expressive paces, is enthusiastic in
his work, and wants to please. He was
broken early because of his size and
strength, and will now be turned away
to mature. He is the kind of horse that
can be hard to find, and will be aimed
at young horse classes next year. I think
I might have to take up dressage!
Useful tips on training your
horse: Loose jumping
L
oose jumping can give you some
idea of the ability of the horse’s
jump. Set up an enclosed lane with
room for the horse to assess the
jump. Start with poles on the floor,
gradually increasing to a small
jump. They don’t have to jump big
to see the height they give the jump,
carefulness, use of their body, and
how they approach the jump. It will
take a few goes to get a true idea of
his jump.
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