Teaching a horse some basic dressage is very important, regardless of what he is used for.  Actually, dressage came from a French word dresser meaning "to train".  There is dressage for any level of riding.  There is the dressage that is used for training horses, and then there is the competition dressage.  Both have to do with horse and rider learning proper balance.  The horse learns to get into a frame and carry the riders weight on his back, rather than his forehand; while the rider learns how to "talk" to horses through their hands and seat.  For this article we are talking about getting a horse into a frame.
     When we say, the horse is in a frame, we are saying that he is light on his forehand, and his hind legs are stepping up under him, rounding him through the back.  In this position, he is properly carrying your weight, making it easier for him to balance; whereas, if a horse is not taught to get into a frame, he will be unbalanced and carry his weight on his forehand.  Carrying weight on his forehand can result in tripping and later on going lame because of unnecessary strain on his joints.  This is another reason it is important to teach a horse how to properly carry a rider.
     Now that we have an idea of what a frame is, you must know how to teach a horse to reach for the bit; this will result in him getting into the a frame.  To encourage him to reach for the bit, you need to keep soft contact with him and drive him forward into the bit with your legs and seat.
     We will further discuss teaching a horse to reach for the bit, after we talk a little about what bit to use.  A light snaffle will be ideal, since the horse will be more encouraged by this.  Most snaffles will do, whether it's a D-ring, loose ring, egg-butt, or full-cheek.  A snaffle with a French link encourages the horse to soften.  Avoid using leverage bits, such as curbs, Tom thumbs, or Kimberwicks.  A stronger bit in an experienced rider's hands is fine, but only on a horse that has already been taught to soften and reach for the bit.  Any young or green horse should be ridden in a light bit.
     If you have a light snaffle, you can start teaching your horse to reach for the bit.  First of all, you will ask your horse to lower his head.  At a walk, check and release with each hand while lightly squeezing.  By checking and releasing, you are talking to him and telling him you want him to do something.  He won't lower his head immediately because he won't understand what you're asking.  He might slow down, so be sure to keep him moving forward at a good, energetic walk.  As soon as he lowers his head slightly, give a little rein as a reward.  Continue to ask him to lower his head.  Each time he lowers his head, give a little rein.  Don't let him lower his head too much at a time or he will get the idea he is pulling the reins out of your hands.  He needs to learn that he can only lower his head when you ask him to.  When he has his nose almost to the ground, slowly gather the reins back up.  If his head pops back up, ask him to lower his head again.  You want him to be relaxed.  Through consistency, he will quickly learn the cue for lowering his head.
     With that cue established, you can start working on framework.  You want his head to be level with his body and his head on the vertical.  Be sure not to have the reins too tight or to have his head too low or behind the vertical.  Get a good, energetic walk and ask him to reach for the bit by driving him forward into the bit with your legs and seat.  When he puts his nose further into the bit, he is reaching for it.  Don't give him any rein though.  You aren't asking him to lower his head; you are asking him to reach for the bit, which is what he is doing by "pulling" on it slightly.  At first it may feel uncomfortable or like he is pulling on you, but he is really asking you what you want him to do.
     When he starts reaching for the bit and getting into frame, his hind legs will be stepping up into the tracks his front feet stepped in.  He will be rounded through the back.  Ask him to do this at a trot.  First, establish a good, long trot.  Drive him forward with your legs and seat but keep him from going fast by keeping light contact on the reins.  Ask him to extend his trot rather than speed up.  Then you can start asking him to reach for the bit.
     Circle work is great for dressage, also, and will teach him to supple and bend through the body.  Your contact goes from the inside leg to the outside rein.  Get on a circle and start with a walk.  Your inside leg should be behind the girth, inside hand open, outside leg at the girth, and outside rein pulled straight back.  Squeeze with your inside leg to push his ribcage out, bending him.  Use your outside leg at the girth to push the outside shoulder around the turn.  You will use your open inside hand to set up his head, turned slightly to the inside.  When you have his head to the inside and his body bending, release the inside rein.  If he tries to go straight, refrain from pulling him around with the inside rein.  Use more leg and add a little open inside rein, but be sure that there is plenty contact with the outside rein and that you aren't turning him with your inside rein.  When you get into dressage tests, you will be asked to drop your inside rein and turn with your inside leg to your outside rein.
     You can also do these exercises at a trot and canter when your horse is ready.  Do not rush your horse.  Some horses will learn quickly, and others will need more time.  Be patient and whenever teaching your horse something new, give them room to make mistakes.  Concentrate more on praising them rather than reprimanding them.  Always end your session on a good note so both you and your horse feel like you've accomplished something.  End by asking them to do something they already know well, and can do with confidence.

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Sarah - A.Knights.Tale