Choosing the Right Dressage Horse

There are few times more exciting than searching for your first dressage horse—or the next horse to take you further up the competition ladder. It is an exciting journey, but it is also one of the biggest investments you will make, both financially and emotionally.

Before you even begin looking through advertisements, set yourself a realistic budget and have a clear picture of the type of horse you are searching for. More importantly, write down your ambitions. What do you hope to achieve? Are you looking for a safe horse to learn the basics and progress through the novice levels, or are you aiming for Grand Prix and international competition? Are you riding as an enthusiastic amateur, or do you aspire to become a professional? The clearer your goals, the easier it will be to recognise the right horse when you find it.

One of the oldest sayings in the horse world is also one of the truest: buying the horse is often the cheapest part. Ongoing costs such as saddlery, clothing, rugs,agistment, feed, shoeing, veterinary care, lessons, and competition expenses will far outweigh the purchase price over the years. That is why it is so important not to rush. There are plenty of horses available, and taking your time will almost always lead to a better decision.

When you begin looking through advertisements, make sure the horse fits the purpose for which you are buying it. If you are looking for a dressage pony, ensure it measures within the required height. Likewise, consider your own size. A rider who is 6'2" generally needs a larger horse than someone who is 5'2". The aim in dressage is to create a harmonious picture where horse and rider appear balanced together.

Many people immediately focus on extravagant movement, but in my opinion the single most important quality in a dressage horse is trainability.

A horse may have spectacular paces and impressive movement, but if it lacks the temperament to accept training, it will never reach its potential. A willing attitude, an intelligent mind and a generous personality are worth far more than extravagant action alone. You need a horse that wants to work with you rather than against you.

Of course, quality paces remain important. Look for a clear, regular walk that maintains its rhythm and does not become lateral when collected. The trot should have elasticity, allowing the strides to lengthen and shorten with ease. Remember that the trot is the pace that can often be improved the most through correct training.

The canter, however, is often the most important gait for horses destined for the upper levels. Grand Prix work relies heavily on balance, collection and self-carriage, all of which are showcased in the canter through pirouettes, tempi changes and transitions.

Balance is perhaps the greatest natural gift a dressage horse can possess. Think of a ballerina or a gymnast. Their movements appear effortless because they have exceptional balance and strength combined with elegance. Dressage horses require exactly the same qualities. A horse with natural balance will find the work easier, remain sounder and ultimately progress more quickly.

Conformation is equally important. Dressage places considerable stress on joints and muscles through collection, lateral work, small circles and repeated transitions over many years of training. Straight, correct legs and overall soundness are essential if a horse is to enjoy a long and successful career.

Then there is the factor that cannot be measured on paper.

The moment you arrive to view a horse, take notice of your first impression. Does the horse interest you? Do you feel drawn towards it? There should be a feeling of connection, curiosity and mutual trust almost from the beginning. Experienced horse people know this feeling.

If, despite everyone telling you what a wonderful horse it is, you simply do not feel that connection, don't be afraid to politely thank the owner and leave.

Whenever possible, take an experienced dressage coach or knowledgeable horse person with you. Always ask the owner or rider to ride the horse first before you get on.

As soon as you ride the horse, pay attention to how safe and comfortable you feel. The horse should give you confidence. If you immediately feel unsafe or over-horsed, listen to your instincts and discuss your impressions honestly with your coach. If you feel it is very much in your range, then you should ride the next day to see if it is better or different. If it is for trail as well make sure you see it ridden outside or if you expect to take it on the roads also check this out. Don’t spend hours, you will know fairly quickly or your coach will and be decisive it will either gel with you or not. No compromising and saying BUT IF !!

Buying a dressage horse is not simply about finding the most spectacular mover. It is about finding a willing partner with the temperament, athleticism, soundness and trainability to help you achieve your dreams.

Choose with your head, but never ignore what your heart is quietly telling you.

Veterinary Inspection

Once you have found a horse, ridden it and decided that you like it, the next step is to arrange a veterinary inspection.

Before the inspection, ask the owner or agent direct questions about the horse’s history and habits. Has the horse ever been unsound? Does it windsuck, weave, crib-bite or display any other stable vices or undesirable behaviours?

The extent of the veterinary examination will depend on the horse’s intended purpose. Are you buying a horse for Pony Club or lower-level dressage, or are you purchasing a potential international competition horse that may later have considerable resale value? The horse’s age, experience, purchase price and expected workload will all help determine how extensive the examination should be.

A basic clinical examination may be sufficient for some horses, while a more valuable competition horse may require extensive radiographs, scans, blood tests or other investigations.

The presence of minor changes on an X-ray does not necessarily mean that the horse will be unsuitable. Like people, horses are rarely perfect, particularly as they become older. Some horses remain completely comfortable and perform successfully despite showing arthritic or degenerative changes, while others may be affected by comparatively minor abnormalities.

The findings must therefore be considered in relation to the job you expect the horse to perform. It is important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages, discuss the risks carefully and trust the advice of an experienced equine veterinarian.

Very few horses receive an entirely clean bill of health, particularly when extensive radiographs are taken. The purpose of the examination is not necessarily to find a perfect horse, but to identify any existing problems and assess whether those problems are likely to interfere with the horse’s intended use.

When buying a horse interstate, the veterinarian performing the examination can send the radiographs and reports to your own veterinarian for review. This gives your own vet a valuable baseline should you proceed with the purchase.

Depending on the nature and significance of any findings, the veterinary report may also influence the final purchase price. Vetting can be a stressful time for both the seller and the buyer, so the results must always be kept in perspective.

Consider how frequently the horse will be worked and at what level. Those factors determine how much weight should be placed on particular veterinary findings.

Once you are satisfied with the examination, arrange payment and transport. Before the horse leaves, obtain full details of its diet, worming programme, vaccination history, dental records, veterinary history, shoeing schedule and any medications or supplements performance papers and transfer of all registrations.

Reaching this stage is tremendously exciting—and the best part is still to come as you begin building a partnership with your new horse.