Best Breed for Dressage?

I would say the most popular these days are the Warmbloods -- Holsteiners, Dutch Warmbloods, Oldenburgs, Swedish Warmbloods, Hanovarians to name but a few.

 

But there are plenty of breeds in the less costly ranges that can be terrific as well - I have a 1/2 warmblood who moves just beautifully - there are also Arabians who are wonderful at Dressage, 1/2 Thoroughbreds -- it's really not so much a matter of breed but a matter of physcial ability and temperment I think. There are breeds that are almost predisposed to the sport -- but there are always exceptions to the rule! I think it depends on how serious you want to be in the art -- if you want to be able to show the upper levels, you will need a horse that can physically handle the collected moves -- if you are only interested in Training through - say - Second Level - you can be a little less picky and possible leave a little more cash in your wallet  It's always a good idea to go out and look with a trainer or -- if your trainer can't be there - get a video tape of the horses you're looking at. And always always get a vet check -- lots of vets can tell you that a horse may have problems in collection later on with an examination.

 

Sorry I'm rambling but I hope it helps a little!

it seems we all have very different Ideas as to which is best I suspose here in the uk people tend to go for the Hanovarian and the Warmbloods for the ultimate Dressage horse. The trend seems to change over the years I think it depends on what's fashionable at the time.

How about everywhere else in the world what is everyone elses thoughts!!

 

 

I think WBs are the easiest to do dressage with becasue they naturally have that quiet, rhythmic way about them and they don't mind spurs the way Arabs and TBs do. They are also responsive enough to respond to the aids without an insane amount of leg. But I also think they are just really trendy right now. . .

 

Hey admit it, we women sort of like bossing around the big BIG horses, don't we? LOL j/k

Well I hope this info. gives you something!

 

In my humble opinion, ALL breeds of horses are enhanced when properly ridden Dressage.  The only differences are "fads", "region or country" and of course "personal opinion".

 

Everyone knows about the Lipizzan horses of the famous  Spanish Riding School.  They tend to set the bar pretty high where Dressage is concerned. 

 

Dressage is a wonderful method for communicating with your horse.