How Dressage Helps Horses

Dressage has been referred to as "classical training" because it incorporates gymnastic exercises (which are a series of movements, patterns, and up/down transitions performed at precise moments) which have been studied and improved upon for centuries. When performed systematically and correctly, the exercises will cause the horse to be supple laterally, and to respond willingly and obediently and exactly while moving freely and energetically (called impulsion) with pure gaits and eventually, to the maximum level of its personal athletic ability.