Can you talk to your horse during a dressage test?

Question

Like, can you say 'whoa' or 'trot' or whatever? Or do you have to do it by your hands, seat, and legs only?

Answer 1

In the dressage ring you cannot use your voice to cue your horse. You must use your other aids to get your horse moving or to do what you need.

The person commenting dressage during the Olympics was also talking about this.  

Answer 2

Your aren't suppossed to talk to yoru horse durring the class. If the judge hears it they will deduct points. However, if you are on the far side of the arena or have your back turned to the judge you can cluck to your horse or whatever, jsut do it so the jsudge doesn't see/hear it

Answer 3

yes you can but it is easier to use the reigns as well as saying the words or using the seat and your legs

Answer 4

just dont let them see your lips move.

Answer 5

You are not permitted to use your voice during a dressage test, if you are seen to do so points are deducted for that movement...but if you feel you need to, try and do it without moving your mouth very much, and talk quietly so that the judges cant see or hear you lol.

Answer 6

You can not use your voice during a dressage test, you must use your other aids.  

Answer 7

If you use your voice during a dressage test (where the judge can hear it), it is a two point penalty on the movement. After some number of voice uses, the penalty goes up. So, you could use your voice, but you will pay for it on your score. It's best not to give up points that way. Some dressage judges will look the other way or assume the voice must have come from some other arena, but you can't count on that.

Answer 8

My granddaughter does this, and she only uses her feet, legs, reins ect...and you never hear a word from her.

Answer 9

No, you can't. I was watching the Olympics dressage and the lady broadcasting was explaining that the point of dressage is obedience from the horse from the rider's aids and that the rider can't use voice commands or talk to the horse. Then she made a joke...'at least not so the judges can tell or hear you,' implying it's known some do (though I'm certain it's not whoa and trot, more like 'lighten' 'more' or whatever their personal encouragement is for certain things).  

Answer 10

that really depends on the judge. i had a judge at a place called Olde Hope that said i could try to calm my horse with worlds cause it was his first show and he tried to jump out of the arena! but when i did that at another show the judge deducted point for it because in dressage everything is supposed to be almost invisible

Answer 11

No you can't. You can only use your hands, seat, and legs or other non-verbal aids. The judge will deduct points if she/he hears you talking to the horse.