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Dressage-Arena

Glossary of Dressage Terms D to I

While reading through the Dressage-Arena ( your practical guide to riding) you might encounter unfamiliar words. These words are part of the technical jargon or language used by instructors, trainers and riders when discussing riding and training.

The United State Dressage Federation has compiled a long list of these words and phrases in order to “improve understanding of, and standardize the usage of, terminology...."
I have included terms that would be useful to the rider who is at the introductory to 1st level of riding. The other terms will be added in subsequent pages and associated to specific Dressage-Arena applications. I have also added some other terms that are not considered in the USDF Glossary, but that are commonly used in books and the daily language of riders.

Remember Horse-Training Tip # 4
Learn through observation, gain experience through practice and most of all.....increase your ability to LISTEN to the horse with all your senses.
You are actually not ready to learn and understand a training or riding concept until you have actually experienced it albeit in a non cognitive way.
Don't worry....come back to it. :)

Dressage-Arena Glossary

D-F

DISOBEDIENCE
Willful determination to avoid doing what is asked, or determination to do what is not asked.
1. Positive Dissociation—the hind hoof of the diagonal pair touches the ground first (as in canter pirouette and racing gallop—4 beats.)
2. Negative Dissociation—the front hoof of the diagonal pair touches the ground first (as in lazy, constrained, or disorganized canter—4 beats). both gaits.
DISUNITED (CANTER)
The horse canters on one lead in front and the other lead behind. Same as Cross-canter
ELASTICITY
The ability or tendency to stretch and contract the musculature smoothly, giving the impression of stretchiness or springiness.
ENGAGEMENT
Increased flexion of the lumbosacral joint and the joints of the hind leg during the weight-bearing (support) phase of the stride, thus lowering the croup relative to the forehand (“lightening the forehand”). Engagement is “carrying power,” rather than “pushing power.”
EVASION
Avoidance of the difficulty, correctness, or purpose of the movement, or of the influence of the rider, often without active resistance or disobedience (e.g., tilting the head, open mouth, broken neckline, etc.). Bit evasions are means of avoiding correct contact with the bit.
EXPRESSION
Increased impulsion, with harmony, balance, and cadence-– imbuing the performance with “feeling” and artistic quality.
strong> FALLING IN, FALLING ON INSIDE SHOULDER, FALLING OUT, FALLING OVER OUTSIDE SHOULDER
Lateral deviation of the forehand/foreleg(s) caused by, or causing, loss of balance.
FIGURE
Geometrical component of a dressage test, such as a circle, change of rein, figure of eight. Erroneously used interchangeably with “Movement.”
FLEXIBILITY
Range of motion of joints—the ability to move the joints freely. Suppleness, pliability.
FLEXION
1. In the limbs—articulation of a joint(s) so that the angle between the bones becomes smaller.
2. “At” the poll, there are three directions of movement, the first two of which are described as flexions: a. Direct flexion (or “longitudinal flexion”)—brings the chin toward the underside of the neck. b. Lateral flexion—closes the angle between the cheek and the side of the neck. c. Rotation—causes tilting of the head.
3. In the rest of the spine, movements occur in the same directions as at the poll but to a lesser degree. It is the combination of these movements that creates carriage, bend, displacement of the ribcage, etc.

FOOTFALL
A hoof, or pair of hooves virtually simultaneously, striking the ground.
FORWARD
To or toward the direction that is ahead or in front of the horse, or moving or tending toward that direction. Forward indicates the direction in which the horse goes (in contrast to sideways, backward, or standing still); it does not indicate how he gets there. References to specifics such as impulsion, energy, reach, length of stride, and tempo more accurately express how the horse should proceed in a forward direction.
FRAME
The longer or shorter outline of the horse dictated by the relative degree of extension or collection. Incorrectly used to address the horse’s level of training, as in “Second-Level frame” or “Fourth-Level frame.”
FREEDOM
The reach, scope, and lack of constriction in the movement of the fore and hind limbs.
FREE WALK
A pace in which the horse is allowed freedom to lower and stretch out its head and neck. Both the horse’s strides and the frame are lengthened. May be performed on a long rein (maintaining contact)or a loose rein (with a loop in the rein—no contact)
.

Dressage-Arena Glossary

H-I

HALF-HALT
A momentary increase of collection, or an effect of the aids, which increases the attention and improves the balance of the horse.
HASTY
Usually refers to the tempo, though strictly speaking it could refer to MPM. Therefore, it is best to specify (as in “hasty tempo”).
HOLLOW BACK
Sagging or depressed back caused by slackness of the back and belly muscles (passive) or by sustained contraction of the back muscles, impeding swing and elasticity (active).
IMPULSION
Thrust, releasing of the energy stored by engagement. The energy is transmitted through a back that is free from negative tension and is manifested in the horse’s elastic, whole-body movement. (Note 1: Impulsion is associated with a phase of suspension such as exists in trot and canter, but which does not exist in walk or piaffe. Therefore, impulsion is not applicable to the walk or the piaffe.
Note 2: Compare the original French with the later English translation of the FEI score sheets under “Impulsion.” The English translation of the French reads “the desire to move forward,” whereas what the French actually says is “the desire to carry itself forward” [“Le desire de se porter en avant”].
Note 3: For purposes of the Training Pyramid, the German term “Schwung” is translated

Dressage-Arena Glossary A to C

Dressage-Arena Glossary J to Q

Dressage-Arena Glossary R to Z

Quote for a Monday

"A good horse and a good rider are only so in mutual trust ~ H.M.E"