How to Retrain a Horse From Dressage to Western Riding

Dressage riding and Western riding are two different disciplines, but both require a horse that is balanced, responsive and controlled. A dressage horse will have been trained to understand a more formal set of aids than a Western horse, and to carry itself in a different way. However, it will already have a good grounding in control and responsiveness, so should be able to make a smooth transition into becoming a Western riding horse. A little patience is required; the two disciplines sometimes teach different aids for the same movement, so work with your horse slowly and consistently to help it understand what's required.

Things You'll Need

  • Western tack
  • Secure, fenced riding area
  • Assistant (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fit Western tack. If your horse has only ever been ridden in English-style gear, start slowly. Check the fit of your Western saddle by making sure you can slide your hand between the pommel of the saddle and the horse's withers on both sides. Tighten the cinch gently. Western saddles are far heavier than English dressage saddles, so it may feel strange to your horse at first. Lead it around for a few minutes so that it can get used to the weight, and also to the feeling of the split reins lying across its neck. Have your assistant hold the horse while you mount.

    • 2

      Mount and ride around the arena a few times at the walk; keep your assistant on hand. To begin with, hold the reins in the English way, one in each hand, but keep your hands wider apart and the reins longer than usual.

    • 3

      Teach the horse to neck-rein. Have your assistant stand in the middle of the arena to mark the center. Keeping your hands wide apart, bring both reins in toward the center of the arena (toward your assistant) so that your outside hand crosses over the horse's neck. As the outside rein touches the side of the neck, simultaneously apply pressure with your outside leg. The horse will gradually learn to move away from the feeling of the outside rein on its neck. Practice this movement several times until the horse is comfortable with neck-reining, an integral part of Western riding.

    • 4

      Teach your horse to stop by using the "Whoa!" command. Ride into the corner of the arena, and bring your hand back toward you, while giving the command "Whoa!" At the same time, push your weight back a little into the saddle. A dressage-trained horse should respond to the distribution of the rider's weight and the feeling of the reins by halting, but will need to learn the "Whoa!" voice command. Practice several times until the horse associates the voice command with the action.

    • 5

      Introduce the rein-back. Ride your horse back into the corner of the arena, and ask it to "Whoa!" Once the horse has halted, continue to apply gentle but firm pressure with the reins while squeezing the horse with both your legs. Once the horse takes a step backward, release the pressure and praise it. If the horse fidgets sideways rather than stepping back, have your assistant place his hand on the horse's chest and push back, keeping time with your leg signals. Continue to practice the rein-back until the horse will halt and take two or three clear steps back on command.

    • 6

      Continue to practice the paces. A dressage horse is used to carrying itself in a certain way, helped by the rider's contact down the reins. A horse ridden Western-style has little contact on its mouth and carries itself in a longer, lower outline. Once your dressage horse has become used to the lack of contact, it'll start to lengthen and stretch its back and neck and carry itself in a more relaxed manner.