dressage turnout tips

[flintyboy]

Im doing a preliminary dressage test next thursday, im pretty excited as i have been working casper towards this for a while as i wanted to get the best out of him!
How shall i turn him out for him to look his smartest.
Should i do dressage plaits? Or normal? Leg bandages etc?? Any tips on enchanching his natural look?

Thanks alot!! XxX

[Perfect Pony]

hi there, im no pro at dressage but i hope this helps but it is just my opinion, grooming tips which work wonders, wash all brushes in hibiscrub the night before you groom her, and when you go to groom use a rubber curry comb, going in circles which loosens any loose hair and dust or dirt under the coat, the using one of them brushes with really really long bristles (Flicky prushes as i call them) to flick the hair and dirt off instead of brushing it back into the coat!!! Use a damp cloth on the face to get any grub off and remember to do unter the tail too!!!
I usually hose shadows leggies down and scrup his hoofs then trim his feathers, whiskers etc!!!
as for plaiting dressage plaits look professional but i dont personally like them but thats just personal preference and white leg bandages look great!!!
Well good luck and sorry for ramblin on and let us all know how you do!!!
GOOD LUCK
carla and shadow xxx :D

[**Krista**]

Ooh how exciting for you!!

When i do dressage i plait tail and mane and groom til he shines!! Also, clean tack thoroughly and wash numnah/saddle cloth. You aren't allowed any boots or bandages in your test but they are ok for warming up, just dont forget to take them off before you go in!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/KristaJaye/Devlin/Dressage12thJune.jpg

[Volvic]

You're exactly like me last year when I did my 1st dressage test on Sky! I plaited her up & scrubbed her to within an inch of her life! We warmed up in boots as Sky should have had support boots on at all times, but it was a bit of a faff & I wouldnt use boots or bandages unless absolutely necessary.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/Vicavvi/Skytrotheadin.jpg

[Roheryn]

I've read the posts here about braiding for dressage competitions and I just found an offsite article on tail-braiding for dressage. I've been told by someone here that tails aren't braided for dressage. Is that a US thing? Or a regional thing? Or do different dressage organizations have different practices regarding plaiting/braiding?

[Bay Mare]

NO bandages or boots for the test, you can use them for the warmup but they're not allowed for the actual test.

If you're good at plaits then plait, if not it's probably better to make sure that the mane is clean, neat and tidy and leave it 'au naturel'.

Apart from that make sure that you've given him a good groom, you don't need to 'tart' him up too much, just make sure that he's clean and well presented.

Oh, and GOOD LUCK.

[Caz&Irena]

Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread but are you allowed a full cheek french link snaffle or does it have to be a loose ring? I assume from one of the photos you are allowed a flash noseband. I would love to do a dressage test too but don't know what you are allowed and what you're not :o

[augermoon]

Gillian,

yep snaffles with cheeks are allowed. If you want to double-check, there is a link to the BD rules on a sticky post at the top of the dressage forum. Point 60 covers permitted snaffle bits. And yes, you're okay with a flash.

As for dressage plaits, do you mean the ones with white tape? I do tend to do these when we compete. The tape makes everything look super smart, and can be useful for sticking down stray ends (which is a must for Arnie, as he tends to rub his mane and leaving stubby bits that won't fit in the plait.) But normal plaits are just as acceptable.