subject: Why You Should Continue Your Dressage Training in Winter [print this page] Why You Should Continue Your Dressage Training in Winter
Repeating an exercise several times allows your horse to learn it properly. It is believed that horses learn through sixty repetitions. Once you've trained your horse something new, you should revisit the routine in the future to ensure the horse remembers it.People in colder regions of the world who do not have access to indoor riding arenas may not have the advantage of being able to practice and train with their horse during the cold winter months. If you are lucky enough to have access to an indoor riding arena you should maintain your dressage training plan throughout the year. Working on your horse during the long winter months will only ensure a well trained horse ready for the spring season of dressage competitions.Another great way to keep both you and your horse it top competition form is to try to find winder competitions to participate in. Not many dressage competitions are held in winter but if you are fortunate enough to be within travelling distance of one you should make the effort to participate.Participating in dressage competitions all the year around will help keep your horse supple and responsive; it also gives you and the horse more experience around different situations and environments. This type of experience is invaluable because with each competition you go to, the more confident you will become. Staying out of the show ring during the long winter months can be counterproductive to your training schedule as you begin to lose the feel of competitions.Ideally you should board your horse in full service year round equestrian facility that has a dressage arena so you can train with your horse any time of the year to maintain and build on your rapport with your horse. A professional facility with the ability to hold competitions all year around is a dream come true for any aspiring dressage rider so try to find such an equestrian centre to keep your horse at as it will ensure you receive all the competition exposure you need as well as all year training opportunities.Dressage is a discipline that requires many, many years of training and dedication and being able to compete during the winter can boost your training tremendously. This makes it vital if you'd like to tap into your horse's full potential.
