How to Get Dressage Lessons

Dressage is a beautiful dance where horse and rider function as a single unit and demonstrate a high degree of connection between each other. Whether or not you have your own horse, you can learn the art of dressage to better communicate with your horse or to develop your skills for show.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide whether you'll take dressage lessons with your horse or on a horse that the instructor provides. If you have a horse that you'd like to do dressage with, it's best to find a dressage instructor who will work with your horse as well as with you.
2. Define your goals for the dressage lessons. Dressage can help you make a stronger connection with your horse, and can just be used for personal development. Dressage can also be competitive, and you may want to sharpen your skills for use in the ring.
3. Find a dressage instructor locally. Most areas with a large pleasure horse population will have at least one local dressage instructor. Ask at local riding arenas, stables and tack stores, and check out any local horse-focused publications for dressage instructors. You can also find instructors online through such websites as World Dressage.
4. Talk to the instructor before you commit to taking even one lesson. Start by finding out her training and instruction philosophy to make sure it's compatible with yours. Then, ask more practical questions about the lessons.
5. Find out what to wear to your lesson. If you're bringing your own horse, or if the instructor is coming to your property, and find out what type of tack you should use.
6. Start with two or three lessons. If everything goes well, commit to a series of lessons.