Has anyone ever told you dressage is not natural?

Question

When people say dressage is not natural, what is your response to it? Dressage is certainly natural, horses preform it in the wild. We used to use it for military purposes in defense, as horses use it in the wild for defense. Just curious...

Answer 1

Well, as some stated by others, being ridden just in itself is not natural at all. In the wild, they use some of these movements - but not all of them. However, they can be taught to do these movements (of course lol). I do believe however, that humans do have a huge part in creating these movements - at least amplifying them. Maybe like a horse doing a stride of a leg yield to trot around a snake it noticed in it's path - however, doing a leg yield for 5 seconds? That in itself, is not natural.

Answer 2

A horse being ridden at all by us is not natural at all.  Otherwise we would not have to gentle, tame or "break" them to our touch.   The motions of dressage are natural for a horse to  do on its own for the most part, though some of the school maneuvers we ask of them are exaggerations of natural movements, that they rarely if ever do on their own.

Dressage came from the need for a well trained horse that would protect a rider on the battle field, clear space around itself, Elevate a rider to see over the mass's of footmen, and work in harmony with other horses close by in cadre.

Enjoy your horse. Do dressage if you will.  ignore the people who say it is or isn't natural and realize that the bond of horse and rider isn't exactly natural at all to begin with.  Biology says a herbivore should not be letting a omnivore or a carnivore sit on its back.  Its just that simple

Answer 3

I've never heard anyone say that, but it's not natural.  That's not a bad thing or a criticism, just a fact.  Yes, it makes use pf natural movements; but is no more 'natural' than hurdle races or synchronized swimming.

You could say it's a method for maximizing the horse's natural abilities.

Answer 4

No its not natural but why does that matter?  Using horse's for human use is not natural but we've been doing it for 100s of years.  Just because something isn't natural doesn't mean its bad or harmful.  Dressage is the art of training the horse to do things it wouldn't do in the wild.  Why would a horse in the wild need to trot in place or pivot while trotting?  While there are techniques based from horse's in the wild such as balance with collection other than that I have never seen a quarter horse lift his knees almost level in the field trotting but thats ok.

Answer 5

I believe I know where you are coming from.  When I look to purchase a horse, I want to see it running freely, and chase it around in an arena to evaluate it's natural movement.  Dressage is based in developing the natural movements of a horse to adapt them for balanced and athletic performance under saddle, or on long lines.

If someone told me it was not natural, I would first agree, as no riding etc. can be called truly natural.  But I would then say petty much what I am saying here.

Answer 6

As a rider mostly interested in dressage, i'd have to say i'd agree with others on this, it's not natural.

What level are you talking about? i mean if its just a school horse doing walk/trot/canter then yeah sure but look at grand prix dressage and it's a no.

The head carriage on properly taught dressage horses is not normal for them, horses prefer to stretch and use their neck/back muscles. In dressage we ask for a higher 'tighter' carriage (i don't mean rolkur) then you would see in a  normal riding school horse for example.

we did not play a part in creating these movements? i have to say i have never ever seen a horse perform a pirouette, piaffe or a half pass out in the paddock in the manner they do in dressage tests, and spinning in a circle is not a pirouette, or prancing a piaffe etc.

Not trying to be mean, but frankly i'd see jumping as a more natural thing for the horses to be doing.

edit: oh yes, i certainly agree with the airs above the ground. And i think what is meant to be said that they very core or basics of dressage are natural?

Answer 7

When people say that dressage is not natural i usually explain to them that dressage is a rider controlled management of natural movements performed in the wild.  Usually i have to back this up with an explanation.  If people took the time to observe the natural behaviour of horses out in the paddock they would see an abundance of uncontrolled free dressage.  The shortening and lengthening of paces, collected walk, trot and canter, extended walk, trot and canter.  Flying changes and yes! Pirouettes.  Have you ever seen a horse canter then quickly turn on its hind feet only to come back in the direction it came, well that's the natural form of a controlled pirouette! The art of dressage has just created the speed it is performed at.  Now piaffe and passage are the hardest ones for people to see in the natural state, and head carriage comes into this too! Ever seen a stallion in with a new mare for the first time?  You'll see NATURAL on the bit carriage, piaffe and passage all in what i call the mating ritual, dominant mares will also display these movements/actions in a herd situation.  Overall Dressage movements are natural, you can see them in a wild or free state if you take the time to observe and learn!