Multiple Disciplines - Can you do it?

[WB Mom]

Increasingly, I am being tempted to do multiple disciplines with my horse. My trainer agrees. Within the last month we have done the jumpers, hunters, dressage and a simple combined test.
I would appreciate any and all feedback from you. Have you done this? What worked and what didn't? Before I get in much 'deeper' I'd love to see where those of you who have already taken this road have ended up.
My horse is a 7 y.o. Holsteiner gelding. He is quite broke, but still needs to get out and get lots more experience - and finish maturing. :winkgrin: We have been taking things very slowly as I just began riding again a couple years ago from a VERY long time off.

[The Brainless Horseman]

Thats why I ride Arabs. Extremely versatile. My old horse could do English and Western and placed well in both. He even enjoyed a little jumping (even though he didn't look too pretty). My new one is more Hunter Pleasure but does have nice dressage movements and can jump pretty good. So I guess he will make a nice arab sport horse

[bugsynskeeter]

My 5 y/o QH mare can lay down a pretty decent reining pattern (boy can she drag her @$$ in the dirt) and she has also gone around a 2'6 course w/ no problems. I don't show in both, but I enjyo having fun with her. And her popping over some jumps for fun is a great way for her mind to relax fromthe stresses of the reining pen.

[idtogo]

My irish draught and I have competed and done well in eventing (novice level), dressage (tr and 1st , schooling 2nd), low jumpers (schooling to 3'11"), combined driving (training single horse) as well as trails, beach and hunter pacing. I now have a 4 year old morgan that I hope to do all of the above with in addition to some judged distance rides. Cross training and multidiscipline riding keeps things fun and interesting to say the least !!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/565446186WEBkhl

[RegentLion]

I did dressage, hunter/jumpers, and eventing with my TB/Welsh cross pony.

Granted, we weren't doing A level hunters, and we WERE only doing Beginner Novice/ Novice Events, but that was less due to his abilities and more due to me being a leeetle bit of a chicken--and being super paranoid about his soundness. (He never had a lame day in his life).

ANYWAY, YES it can be done. I feel that the dressage-eventing-h/j combo is totally do-able. I think cross training keeps the horse and rider fresh and might teach you both some skills in one discipline that will improve your riding in the others.

I think that since your coach said to "go for it" and your horse ( I assume) is also fine with it, that it is a great idea.

I'm in the process of teaching my WP/HUS horse how to jump and do beginner dressage. He's never going to be a super-top-level-horse, because he is BRED for the pleasure disciplines THROUGH AND THROUGH, but we are having fun doing it.:)

So as long as your goals aren't to do the A hunters, Rolex, and Olympic Dressage, i think you're good to go!

[SmokenMirrors]

I have a Percheron mare that has won the versatility award and were going for a second year this year. She can do ladies fine driving, under saddle, farm work, go into any hitch and position you wish her to be, can pull logs, do farm obstacles with a log or a skid, and halter. At the end of the day it is her easy going nature and her willingness that I want and look for, if the horse doesn't show interest or a want, then I won't try it or make them do it.

[archieflies]

A lot of eventing folks compete in dressage, jumpers, and even the occasional hunter class in addition to their eventing. My mare foxhunts as well. A well-rounded horse is always more fun. You may not go to the top of any one discipline that way, but you can have a lot of fun.

[Kementari]

Did (http://picasaweb.google.com/jecondon/JudeEnglish#5271605527279587922) I (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YkpOGcDJXCF9Vvtzn7j1yQ?feat=directlink) hear (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cV60Dlm4dj65_04wTddOGQ?feat=directlink) someone (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_f-o90q5nRdBz0u3EiX-DA?feat=directlink) mention (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ci0SZJqxpoCtUjrYKJzoZw?feat=directlink) versatility (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TwBlwcZ9Z1OpRID4MNDBxQ?feat=directlink)?

Yeah, we do that (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4EDfliV5Rg9bKQM2FPpP4g?feat=directlink)... :lol:

Seriously, I can't claim to be world class at anything, but we have a darn good time doing a little bit of everything at the lower levels. Like someone else said, I wouldn't expect one horse to be Olympic material in multiple disciplines, but as far as having some fun cross-training, I think it can only be a good thing. :yes: I know my horses don't get sour, and I think that's largely down to having some variety in our lives - and, with proper training, there's no reason for the different disciplines to have an impact on how good the horse is at their "main" job.

[sam1979]

Go for it! I believe I speak for most if not all of us- we started riding for the joy of it. I want to have fun with my horses- I mostly event- but am interested in it all. I think my horses enjoy the "change of pace" too. I believe this will also help develop your partnership with your horse. Sometimes people, myself included, can get so tied up with one thing/idea, we forget the basics- have fun, be safe, and enjoy the wonder gift of developing a true partnership with a wonderful animal that can teach us so much about life.

[SarahandSam]

Agree that multiple disciplines is good for you and your horse... keeps everybody entertained and balanced and happy, as long as you're not pushing for world-class material in *everything.* (:

I don't know what I want to focus in yet with my horse, because I've just started jumping and like it, but don't know yet what he'll like... hunters, jumpers, things that have nothing to do with jumping... so I go trail riding with him, I did a dressage clinic and dressage lessons, we did flat classes and trail classes and even (very slow) barrels at open shows last summer, we helped out at team roping practices, we took hunter lessons, we do medieval horsemanship and mounted combat. He's happy every time he steps into a ring because it might be something different and entertaining, and so am I. Whatever we choose to focus on, I'll still do the other stuff... because as much as I may like the "hunter princess" world and hope to compete in it for real someday, it's darn fun to chase cows and hit people with swords too.

[Texarkana]

I've never had a problem with it probably because I was exposed to multiple disciplines from the start of my riding "career." I learned to ride with arab folks who did everything-- hunter/jumper, western, saddle seat, driving, dressage... often on the same horse.

Some arab breed shows even host multi-discipline versatility classes. You start off english, switch tack, then continue riding the class western (or vice versa). I've also seen ride & drive classes.

The way I see it, learning another discipline is one more tool in your proverbial toolbox for both you and your horse.

[clm08]

Another multi-discipline Arab owner here. My daughter showed our older guy in huntseat, Western pleasure, horsemanship, showmanship, trail, combined training, mini events and dressage and has a collection of ribbons and trophies for just about every discipline she's shown him in. In his previous life he was shown in the Arab A circuit and did really well in Western, Country Pleasure, and driving. He is very handy in Pony Club games too. He is truly an all-around gem.

Our younger Arab used to be a barrel racing and Western pleasure horse in his previous life. Now he is a successful eventer at the BN/N level and could probably do training. Daughter tried polocrosse with him, he didn't bat an eye when she swung the racket around his head. This summer I am hoping to take him on a competitive trail ride and intro to endurance. I think he'd also be good at foxhunting. Gotta love the versatile horses, we never get bored, neither do they!

[Tiffani B]

I've always shown my Saddlebreds in multiple disciplines. I've had several that competed, at the same show, in Western, Saddle Seat and Driving. The requirements to be GOOD in each division are so different, and when you have an individual who can do it all - you have a truly special horse.

I think it's a great way to get your horse paying closer attention and thinking more (and yourself! ;)), and you really find out what they enjoy doing.

[Beasmom]

I've had several "versatile" horses over the years. They enjoy the variety, too!

Bill (QH) started out as a cow horse, ended up as my junior hunter. Also did speed events at the neighborhood gymkhanas.

Josephine (Appendix) jumped, did a little dressage, took me to my first three-phase, and ended her days as a broodmare and ranch horse.

Gallito (Arab) was purchased as a ranch horse, liked cow work, but hated our hired guys riding him. I bought him and did a little jumping, one three-phase event (won it!), lots of dressage and took trips back to the ranch to help with cattle gathers and brandings.

Hurricane Dorothy (TB) failed as a race horse, but excelled at cattle work and jumping.

Figaro (Hannoverian) can no longer jump, but loves to trail ride, is good at dressage and seems to have a "cowy" streak in him.

[MyGiantPony]

I've always required my horses to be versatile.

I've done everything from jumpers to western pleasure with many of mine through the years.

[county]

One of our QH stallions had points in Halter, Cutting, Team Penning, Heading, Heeling, Calf Ropind, and was shown in Reining.

[shawneeAcres]

Increasingly, I am being tempted to do multiple disciplines with my horse. My trainer agrees. Within the last month we have done the jumpers, hunters, dressage and a simple combined test.
I would appreciate any and all feedback from you. Have you done this? What worked and what didn't? Before I get in much 'deeper' I'd love to see where those of you who have already taken this road have ended up.
My horse is a 7 y.o. Holsteiner gelding. He is quite broke, but still needs to get out and get lots more experience - and finish maturing. :winkgrin: We have been taking things very slowly as I just began riding again a couple years ago from a VERY long time off.


My nine year old app stallion has been shown in app shows in hunter in hand as a four year old, was shown once in "heritage" (where you dress in native costume) as a four year old. He then went on to show in dressage, eventing, last summer he did some jumpers and hunter shows and now he is driving! See him driving here after only two weeks of training:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwteXBAZfB0

I think multiple disciplines is good for a horse and many horses can easily do this.

[Vesper Sparrow]

My OTTB mare raced and, although her forte was eventing (Training), according to her passport, she has also done hunters (Green), low-level jumpers and equitation. I've done dressage with her and she's also been foxhunted. She's quite agile and I'm sure would have made a good polo pony, Western barrel horse and, with her temperament, probably would even be good with cows.

[purplnurpl]

Increasingly, I am being tempted to do multiple disciplines with my horse. My trainer agrees. Within the last month we have done the jumpers, hunters, dressage and a simple combined test.
I would appreciate any and all feedback from you. Have you done this? What worked and what didn't? Before I get in much 'deeper' I'd love to see where those of you who have already taken this road have ended up.
My horse is a 7 y.o. Holsteiner gelding. He is quite broke, but still needs to get out and get lots more experience - and finish maturing. :winkgrin: We have been taking things very slowly as I just began riding again a couple years ago from a VERY long time off.

I have an eventer.
We do:
Jumpers
Hunters
Dressage
Eventing
Competitive Trail.

: )

Though USEF names me a 'pro', I'm not really. I have my one horse and I like to do it all with him. He and I have a family relationship and not so much an eventing 'business' relationship.

Today I'm looking forward to going home and riding him bareback in the rain. We pretend we are indians sometimes too. LMAO.

[BuddyRoo]

I don't think there are very many horses or *riders* who can do it ALL and do it well. You've heard the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none."

BUT...if you're in this for fun, why not? If you're not trying to be supremely competitive, why NOT spend a little time across the board? It's good fun!

Both of my horses were initially started Western. In fact, I've roped off of them, team penned, done WP, load of trails...wasn't until the last 5 years that I started riding H/J/Dressage and would LOVE to do some low level eventing with my older mare (who incidentally is an Arab/QH cross--see a pattern here?).

I say go for it. Keeps your mind and the horse's mind in a good place with some variation. And cross training will point out some holes really quickly if they exist. Sometimes you get overfocused on one aspect and when you swap to another discipline, it becomes apparent.

I think that my horses enjoy the variation and I know I do.

I think it's cool that you have a trainer who is cool with it. I have not run into many trainers who encouraged such things.

Have fun!

[pattnic]

Hee, hee! That's why I ride Morgans! We do hunters, jumpers, dressage, carriage driving, trail riding, a little Western, and are starting to get our feet wet in the eventing world. While my horses do each have their strengths and weaknesses, they're pretty damn good at all those things.

Several Morgan shows have Versatility classes, as well, in which you ride, drive, and jump.

There is NO reason to not dabble in a bit of everything. I think that it keeps both horse and rider happier. :yes:

[Beverley]

I've always done everything with mine. Way back in 4-H in the 1960s, my mare did, and won at, everything from western pleasure through reining to timed events- barrels, poles, keyole, etc. And the barn manager borrowed her occasionally as a pickup horse at rodeos. Even my 'really good' western pleasure horse in the early 70s went trail riding and riding/swimming at the beach now and then. He later foxhunted for 20 years.

My now- 6 yo appendix goes both English and western, has packed and camped in the back country, gone foxhunting, done team penning, and rounded up buffalo. Normally we 'just' trail ride. He won't be schooled over fences because he has conformation flaws that wouldn't hold up to a whole lot of jumping. Which is not to say he can't already jump sagebrush or ditches in his path while out foxhunting. My 4 yo has not yet started under English saddle, but so far has trail ridden solo and in groups, rounded up cattle, and won a little competitive trail ride. Eventually she'll be schooled over fences (I don't do much but crosspoles before age 5) though, seeing her talent, she may be detoured to do a little cutting if I can muster the enthusiasm for showing (or hire someone to show her for me).

Variety is the spice of life. And just like people, horses benefit greatly, even in their 'chosen' discipline, from getting to do different things and master different skills.

[Apolloflyin]

I used to have a half arabian x paint gelding that I had since he was born.

From the time he was weaned until he was 2 I used him for:

Trick horse.. lol clicker training.

pack pony ... small amounts, I don't own a real pack, just a bare back pad with pockets.

Walking / Jogging partner up and down country roads and neiborhoods... I didn't have a dog. He learned to trot a my pace and not pull or push me very quickly

Pulling...when he was about one we had a tree fall on the fence and I fashioned breast plate out of some thick cotton rope and asked him to pull some pieces (cut) off the fence and out of the way.

once he was old enough to ride.

Trail horse
Western horse - reining
Dressage horse - some nice ribbons, including reserve champion at our 2nd show. Training lvl
Jumper / Eventer

With his new owner he does all of this and some cattle driving, hunter paces, and pulling kids in plastic snow sleds.

[mypaintwattie]

I love doing a little bit of everything, it keeps me and my horse entertained! When I first got my mare I was very focused toward hunters, but doors opened up and now we compete in western, halter, hunters, trail, showmanship, and are planning on a dressage show this year too! I love that my horse can do pretty much anything, even ride down the trail. When I get a more solid base on her over fences we will even try jumpers and eventing. I also plan on teaching her to drive. Some days I get down to the barn and have a plan of how I'm going to ride that day, and other times I throw whatever saddle I want on her- that's the best part!

[Fairview Horse Center]

One of the Nevada youngsters is pretty versatile. ;)

She qualified for the Young RIder Dressage Championships, then did a bit of Combined Training, and Hunters. For fun she tried roping! :eek: :lol:

[WB Mom]

Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm glad to see others out there who embrace multiple disciplines. My trainer started out western and then switched over to english and is completely open minded to everything, which I find great.
I originally bought my horse as a 'strictly hunter'. One day we were taking a lesson and she pipes up "You know, Dressage people would absolutely LOVE your horse". And thus it began. I made the initial plunge by attending an adult multi-day live in dressage camp. I was floored! Everyone, the clinicians included, went goo goo over him. I really had no idea! This helped open me up to possibly doing multiple disciplines, and actually doing some of them quite well. Now I am having difficulty in choosing what to do and when. If you are just riding hunters, for example, then you will just go to these events. How do you pick which events to attend when you are doing 'them all'? Is there a time you found you needed to back off from the variety? Did any of your horses possibly become confused by the changes - wanting something done this way today and another way tomorrow?
As I sit here typing, I realized that I may be finding that doing it all is overwhelming to me at this point. Perhaps it is because of the lack of focus of doing just one thing? Maybe it's something else? Your thoughts??

[Beasmom]

Relax! Lots of us are doing, or have done in the past, exactly what you are considering.

For instance, eventers, besides attending two and three phase events, will do dressage shows and Hunter/Jumper shows to polish specific skills. No biggie. Just look through the show schedules, perhaps with advice of your trainer, and pick events and shows to attend.

In the end, it's all riding, and it's all about having a happy, productive relationship with your horse. If something is not making you or Dobbin happy, ask yourself why and change it.

Happy riding!

[RegentLion]

One thing that helps me pick which things to attend (beyond what works in my schedule) is the VENUE. Some places are more fun to show than others.

Also, I like to show with other people I know.

Just go with the flow for now. You'll figure it out. And no, I don't think that going from dressage to hunters will confuse your horse.

Good for you and your trainer for trying something new. You must be thrilled that the dressage people love him too! Always nice to discover a talent you didn't know your horse had.

[NoDQhere]

Actually, Dressage and Jumping are closely "related" and do complement each other, especially for the Warmbloods.

All of our youngsters jump as well as dressage school. They do cavalletti, free jump, and jump under saddle, both in an arena and cross country. This results in a well rounded, well "broke" horse that is never bored.

[Beasmom]

Yes! Agree completely with RegentLion that a fun venue counts!

Dressage and jumping are very complementary indeed. I'm sorry my gelding has issues that prevent him from doing anything but lines of ground poles. Jumping would have been soooo much fun.

So we trail ride when we can.

[zippandrich]

My 5 year old AQHA who is a western pleasure horse all the way loves to move out for english loves a good gallop in the field loves to save my butt over jumps. He does awesome in western/english pleasure and halter he finished 2nd out of 23 horses in versatility at a big show around here with a girl who only rode him 2 times before the show. only reason he got 2nd was he bucked when she asked him to go. verstillity around here is equiation english pleasure horsemanship western pleasure and barrels one after another one :) He's fun!

[FancyFree]

Actually, Dressage and Jumping are closely "related" and do complement each other, especially for the Warmbloods.

All of our youngsters jump as well as dressage school. They do cavalletti, free jump, and jump under saddle, both in an arena and cross country. This results in a well rounded, well "broke" horse that is never bored.

That's so true. Incorporating jumping into a dressage horse's program does so much for them, imo. I can not wait to start jumping my baby. I think she's going to enjoy it. I know it gets my heart going. If I weren't such a chicken, I do eventing. Hunters is the limit of my risky behavior. :lol:

[tabula rashah]

That's exactly why I have Morgans and Arabs. My most versatile one, Belle- a Morgan mare, has competed in: Hunter US and OF, Jumpers, Dressage, Western Pleasure, Barrels, Poles, Endurance and Saddleseat. She has also been used as a mounted patrol horse for MD State Parks and beginner lessons. She's about as versatile as it comes:)

[veebug22]

I do think it's hard to be really competitive in a certain discipline if you're trying to do okay in three others at the same time. Takes away from focus. That said, I think it's great to diversify, depending on the horse, rider, and their goals. I consider myself to be a "jumper", own two horses best suited to jumpers, but I haven't done jumpers competitively since spring of 2007!! This has a lot to do with horses and moves, but during that time I've dabbled in eventing, hunter paces, foxhunting, riding lots of green ponies and horses, and learning about harness/TB racing. I've done some dressage in the past, and I started out on the AQHA circuit way back when. I think all of that ultimately benefited my riding and expertise. It just means bringing all of that into focus when you turn back to your focus area. For example, when I go back to jumpers, there are certain things that need to ride differently. My horse needs to be cued up for certain things. But some time spent in other areas never hurts! Heck, I've thrown a Western saddle on my gelding when he was being particularly peevish (he was actually started Western, although it was short-lived).

[Kementari]

The way I do it is that I have one primary discipline - eventing - and everything else is, to one degree or another, just for fun. If it's stressing me out and not fun, then I don't do it. :yes:

Now, there are plenty of years I do more "other" than I do eventing (usually for monetary reasons, though also if my horse isn't ready to event), but my overriding bent in training is towards eventing.

I do think most disciplines compliment each other, though, if you look for the connections: hunter stuff helps focus on quietness and evenness, which is much preferable to me over the "crazy eventer" look. Got a fence that requires a bit of an agile approach (or need to make time in a jump-off in the jumpers)? My horse's sideline in gymkhana makes those a piece of cake. I can't stand a horse with poor ground manners regardless of what s/he does under saddle, and NOTHING teaches that like some good showmanship training. Horses who have BTDT in rail classes (be they WP, HUS, or whatever) can handle a crazy warmup MUCH better than horses who don't spend any time outside the white box.

Versatility can really blow some people's minds, and for them, maybe it's not such a good idea. But if you look at it right, each thing we learn is a tool we have to use in the future - and the more tools, the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Plus, hey, I have horses for FUN! If all I wanted was a huge pit to throw money in while getting really stressed out about it, I'd invest all my horse money in the stock market... :winkgrin: