Welcome back to Episode 4 and the final episode of my Dressage For All series!
This month, we’ve celebrated the incredible variety of horses in our sport showing that Dressage is for all breeds. From Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses to Arabians and now a Gypsy Vanner, each horse has demonstrated how Dressage can help develop greater balance, suppleness, and athleticism.
In this final episode, I’m working with Amber and Kelly, a beautiful Gypsy Vanner. When I first started teaching this pair, Kelly struggled with balance and organization in the canter. Today, they’re competing successfully through Fourth Level and beginning to develop movements that prepare for dressage pirouettes and more advanced work.
Before we dive in, I wanted to let you know that today is the last day to join 30 Days to Dressage: Foundations with Amelia! If you’re looking to build a stronger foundation in your riding and better understand the system of Dressage, this course will guide you step by step through the essential concepts and exercises. I’d love to have you join us!
How Lateral Work Helps Your Horse with Collection
Collection is about rebalancing your horse onto the hind end. Collection is difficult for ALL horses – regardless of the breed! One thing that is important to understand about collection is that the exercises and the system of Dressage are what teach your horse to collect.
In Amber and Kelly’s lesson, we used different exercises to help Kelly develop the strength and collection needed for pirouettes. Each exercise built on the one before it. We used shoulder-in, half-pass, shoulder-fore, and turns on the haunches to help Kelly become more supple through her body and more engaged behind.
One of the biggest goals was teaching her to sit more on her hind legs. As Kelly learned to bend through her ribcage and carry more weight behind, she became lighter in the front end and more balanced throughout her body.
It’s exciting to see moments where a horse begins to truly collect. Those few strides where they sit, lift their shoulders, and push uphill are the building blocks for everything that comes later.
Lateral Work can Benefit any Horse
One of the greatest lessons from this series is that Dressage is not about breed. It’s about developing your horse – and making your horse the best it can be. Whether you ride a Gypsy Vanner, Arabian, Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, or Warmblood, the principles remain the same.
Through patience, consistency, and correct training, every horse can become more balanced, athletic, and confident.
Happy Riding!
Amelia
P.S. Today is your last chance to join 30 Days to Dressage: Foundations with Amelia! If you’ve been wanting a clear, step-by-step system to build confidence, improve your riding, and better understand the foundations of Dressage, I’d love to have you in the program. Enrollment closes today, so don’t miss your chance to join us!
