Horse Supplies for the Dressage Horse

Dressage is a horse riding discipline that highlights grace, elegance, and beauty. Its simplicity makes this discipline even more appealing and popular.

When considering the outfit for the rider, the rule of less is better certainly applies here. Riders competing in the lower levels should be wearing well polished black hunt or field boots, a pair of britches, and a white collared shirt. A dark jacket should be worn over the white shirt. The rider's hands should be covered in dark colored gloves that will minimize the appearance of movement of the rider's hands. Riders with long hair should have it gathered and tucked neatly out of sight. All riders should have a black helmet. If the rider is under the age of eighteen, many show committees require that the rider's helmet should meet ASTM/SEI standards and have a fastened harness. Unless the rider is aboard a high spirited horse, the rider should have a pair of spurs which help dress up the rider's outfit.

Riders competing in the lower levels of dressage need to make sure their horse's tack follows the same simple guidelines as the rider's apparel. The horse's coat should be clean and well groomed before entering the show ring. On the morning of the show, the rider should have plaited the shortened, thinned mane into several tidy braids. If the horse has a nice steady head set, the braids can be wrapped with white adhesive tape. At the lower levels of competition the braids are not actually required but they are a sign of respect. The horse's hooves should be polished with either clear or black hoof polish. The horses bit should be a simple snaffle, curb bits nor bits with copper are not acceptable in dressage competitions. The bit should be attached to a plain leather bridle, and the saddle should be leather. At the lower levels of competition the rider can choose between a black or brown colored saddle and have the option of using a dressage saddle. Under the saddle their should be a saddle blanket which can be black or white and be either square cut or shaped with the saddle.

Once a rider has reached the upper levels of dressage competition their are a few minor changes in their show attire. FEI rules require that white britches be worn. Hunt coats are no longer allowed, as riders are now required to wear the longer, more elegant shad belly. Although there is no rule banning the wearing of a helmet, most riders choose to wear a derby style hat. Black gloves are now replaced with white gloves.

Just like the riders show clothing there are some adjustments made in the horses tack. The bridle must be made of black leather, in the horses mouth their should be two bits - a snaffle bit and a curb bit. A whip is no longer allowed in competition. The saddle must be a dressage style cut and be made of black leather. Some riders have chosen to add a jewel encrusted brow band to dress up a plain horses head.