Dressage Today

23/09/2025

Has your horse’s threatening behavior toward other horses made you unpopular on group rides or in the warm-up arena at shows? Does he have a reputation for being aggressive when turned out in the herd?

In this article from My New Horse, an equine behaviorist explains how to handle horses who tend to be aggressive under saddle or when turned out with others. Click on the link below to learn more!

If your horse is aggressive toward other horses, use this guide to learn why and get strategies to help improve herd interactions.

22/09/2025

🐴"Unlike horses whose diets are forage based, horses consuming a concentrate (grain-based) diet have tremendous fluxes of water into and out of the intestine due to intense periods of fermentation to digest the concentrate."🐴
~ Anthony Blikslager, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, on why some horses on grain diets might be more prone to free f***l water syndrome (FFWS)

Could your horse be suffering from FFWS? Click on the link below to learn about the symptoms and how to manage this gastrointestinal issue.

Learn about the symptoms of free f***l water syndrome (FFWS) and how to manage this gastrointestinal issue.

21/09/2025

🐴PH GALLOP POLL🐴 We're curious: Would you consider adopting a BLM mustang to be your next dressage partner?

After witnessing the talented, versatile mustangs excel in dressage, jumping and working equitation at the and with the seemingly ever-rising price tag of more traditional sporthorse breeds, adopting a trained mustang could be a great option for many aspiring horse owners.

If you missed our live coverage of this year's Mustang Classic, held from September 4 - 6 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, you can still catch the action on Equestrian Plus!

Click on the link in the Comments below to read more about the 30 mighty little mustangs who showcased their talent in dressage at the 2025 Mustang Classic.

19/09/2025

🐴“If suppleness isn’t cultivated first, the horse’s hind legs cannot develop more pushing power. Transitions can help improve relaxation and suppleness and ultimately allow the horse to release his back and engage his hind end."🐴
~ Christine Traurig, explaining the importance of developing suppleness in your dressage horse for improved hind-end engagement

Click on the link in the Comments below for Traurig's tips from the 2025 USDF Trainers' Conference on how to improve your dressage horse's suppleness and help him develop more pushing power.

18/09/2025

🐴"When your breath is free, the seat bones ground evenly, the spine naturally lengthens and the body finds support from underneath. The result? A seat that is stable yet soft, balanced but alive."🐴
~ Dave Thind, on how to improve your breathing for a better ride and happier horse

You may not realize it, but your breath affects all aspects of your riding. Click on the link below for Thind's easy exercise to improve your breathing for a softer seat, more upright spine and overall better ride.

You may not realize it, but your breath affects all aspects of your riding. Use this easy exercise from Dave Thind to improve your breath for a softer seat, more upright spine and overall better ride.

17/09/2025

🐴"It's easy to criticize on social media, but a single photo or video clip never represents the full story because they only capture a split moment in time. We need to be kinder to one another. As riders, we're always looking to improve, and most of us are out there trying to get better with every ride."🐴
~ Aviva Nebesky, reflecting on the negative impacts of social-media "critiquing" on dressage riders in a new Dressage Today Podcast

In this podcast, Aviva and Stephany talked with bit maker Beth Haist for a second time to take a deeper dive into dressage bits and discuss the double bridle. Plus, Aviva reflects on the negative impact social-media "critiquing" can have on your riding. Click on the link below to listen!

And as always, if you enjoy our podcasts, please like and share them on social media!

Aviva and Stephany talked with bit maker Beth Haist again to take a deeper dive into dressage bits and discuss the double bridle. Plus, Aviva reflects on the negative impact social-media "critiquing" can have on your riding.

16/09/2025

🐴"Many equine professionals are surprised to learn that the basic Equine Commercial General Liability insurance policy does not cover liability arising from wrongful acts as a professional, liability involving non-owned horses or injuries to employees. These risks require additional endorsements."🐴
~ Carolyne Connaway Tanner, of Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc., on what types of coverage equestrian operations should consider

Click on the link below to learn more about the unique risks equine businesses face and the types of coverage available to help ensure your dressage operation is covered in case of the worst.

Learn about the unique risks equestrian businesses face and what types of coverage you should consider to ensure your operation is covered in case of the worst with this advice from an insurance specialist.

15/09/2025

🐴MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY!🐴 Check out these wise words from Olympian Sue Blinks in her article "Creating Excellence in Dressage," where she examines the top seven qualities that contribute to dressage success at every level.

Click on the link in the Comments below to learn more.

14/09/2025

🐴DRESSAGE SOLUTIONS!🐴 To encourage your horse to travel around turns and circles in an upright balance …

Imagine his head, shoulders and hips as three connected train cars. All the parts have to follow each other along the same track. And the cars need to stay upright. To do this, put more weight in your outside stirrup while maintaining a level pelvis, and stay lifted in your core to allow your shoulders to follow the direction of travel, pointing your belt buckle up the track as your horse enters the turn.
— David Marcus

🎨 Sandy Rabinowitz

12/09/2025

🐴“When riding shoulder-in, it’s very important that you pay attention to your weight placement. Your inside hip should be down in the shoulder-in to send energy diagonally down the rail. That is the trajectory of the energy in shoulder-in. If you sit in, it will cause your horse to collapse in. You don’t want to lean out either."🐴
~ Grand Prix dressage rider Laura Ashley Killian, on how to help your horse execute a correct shoulder-in

We top off this week's deep dive into shoulder-in with Killian's video lesson on how to achieve the right connection for this important dressage movement. Here, she explains and demonstrates the correct aids and rider position to help you and your horse achieve proper engagement for shoulder-in.

Click on the link in the Comments below to learn how you can use her tips to improve your dressage horse's shoulder-in!

11/09/2025

🐴"To help her horse find better balance, I would advise this rider to imagine that she’s the anchor for his head and neck. Her backline is needed to provide support for her horse so he can reach out and forward without tipping out of balance. Lengthening the rider’s neck and lifting the toes—by thinking ears up and heels down—will give stability to her position."🐴
~ Susanne von Dietze, on helping a rider adjust her position for a more effective ride

Click on the link below to learn how stretching tall while relaxing your chin and neck can help both you and your dressage horse find better balance.

In this Clinic with Susanne von Dietze, the equestrian biomechanics expert offers tips to help a rider adjust her position for a more effective ride.

11/09/2025

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Click on the link below for your chance to win with Kemin Equine!

Enter now for a chance to win one of three $100 Amazon e-gift cards! Don’t miss out—your next shopping spree could be on us!