use of voice

[carrie160]

I want to start doing a bit of dressage soon (only at riding club level tho) to get my horse used to doing dressage tests as i hope to do a bit of eventing when shes ready.

I've schooled her on the flat and she knows the basics, and goes her best when i use my voice (eg steady or good girl) as she stays relaxed and works calmly.

I've always used my voice with horses as it is a natural aid, and at shows when i do working hunter classes the judges don't mind. However a friend who does dressage said i'll get penalised for it, is this true? If it is, then why?

[galadriel]

I don't know the specific rules for the UK, but in US dressage, you are penalized 2 points for each use of voice.

I talk to my horses constantly while riding, so I know what you're saying. But when practicing for a dressage test, I have to get another set of aids and cues set up. I usually view it as an interesting challenge, to see how much they're responding from my voice, and how much from legs/seat/reins.

One of my mares, when we started getting ready for her first dressage test, refused to trot without the voice command! It didn't take long to get past that :) but it was cute. So it's interesting what you find when you *stop* using your voice.

[Ginger Thing]

I can say 'steaddyyyy' without moving my lips!

If you have to use your voice, do it when your back is to the judge, but to be honest at unaffiliated level they probably won't be that bothered. OH left his horse's boots on once, we thought he'd get disqualified but he got placed and they just wrote in the coments 'horse wearing boots'.

It would be different at affiliated competitions, but at riding club etc, it's more about having a go and enjoying it. The judge last week even let my OH take my horse back in and do the test again after he'd run off with me! They like to encourage you, not be all strict and stuffy and put you off !

[IrisSilverMoon]

don't try it eith your back to the judge, they don't have to see your lips move, they just have to hear you. Personally i dont' want to lose points because i was trying to make a guess about the judges hearing ability.

I cluck a lot, i'm always paranoid i'm going to cluck in the middle of a test without realising it...:o

[TBEventer2002]

I can sympathize with galadriel -- my guy is so on verbal commands that I actually have to give him a verbal half-halt! And he has two different verbal half-halts, one for canter and one for any downward transistions. :rolleyes:

I will talk to my horse quietly in the ring because horses have very sensitive hearing and I can do it without moving my lips. However, I try very hard to keep all my verbal commands at the opposite end of the ring.