| One of the things that so many people would find | | | | horses, this is changing and we are seeing more |
| surprising to learn about horse riding is that there | | | | Warmbloods. |
| are a number of different styles of riding. These | | | | Dressage |
| styles of riding are known as disciplines in horse | | | | Dressage is another English disciplines. This style is |
| lingo. | | | | one of the oldest in the world. It was originally |
| Before you buy or lease a horse, or even take | | | | used in ancient Europe for military maneuvers. |
| lessons, you need to determine which discipline | | | | The word dressage is French for "training". |
| you are interested in. Each of these disciplines | | | | Dressage is the guiding of a horse through a |
| includes different types of tack (riding equipment | | | | series of complex maneuvers by very slight |
| like saddles and bridles) and the rider also assumes | | | | movements of the rider's hands, legs, and weight |
| different riding positions in the saddle. For | | | | (aids). In dressage, riders compete in tests of |
| example, in saddle seat, the rider sits further back | | | | increasing levels of difficulty. The levels include |
| on the horse's back. | | | | Introductory Level, Training Level, First Level, |
| Your choice of riding style is a personal one. You | | | | Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level and |
| should choose a discipline that appeals to you. | | | | Olympic Level. At each level, the horse is |
| Some of the most common disciplines include | | | | evaluated for rhythm, relaxation, impulsion and |
| Hunt Seat, Dressage, Western and Saddle Seat. | | | | contact. Although any breed of horse can be used |
| Hunt Seat | | | | in dressage, warmbloods are often the breed of |
| The English discipline of hunt seat originated from | | | | choice. |
| the British sport of fox hunting. Hunt Seat is | | | | Western |
| probably one of the most popular disciplines in the | | | | If you have watched a cowboy movie on |
| world. If you are interested in jumping, then this | | | | television, then you are already familiar with the |
| could be the discipline for you. It is not uncommon | | | | Western style of riding. Western riding and the |
| for those who do hunt seat to go on to do show | | | | western saddle can be credited to the American |
| jumping, which is a timed sport involving higher | | | | West. People who herd cattle in the West still |
| jumps. Many people who participate in hunt seat | | | | enjoy Western riding, but it has also become a |
| also participate in horse shows where horse and | | | | form of pleasure and show riding. Classes often |
| rider are judged over fences (jumping) and on the | | | | include western pleasure, trail, gymkhana, reining, |
| flat (at the walk, trot and canter). Although many | | | | roping and cutting. A popular western horse is the |
| people who ride hunt seat ride Thoroughbred | | | | American Quarter Horse. |