So no one told me that my mare had dressage training...what is this move called?

[3eme]

Hi dressage folks!

I am a jumper rider and have no pure dressage experience whatsoever, nor do I know anyone who does, so I thought I'd ask a couple of ?'s here.

So Mr. 3eme bought me a great gift a few weeks ago. A little mare whose sire is Fabriano...apparently he is more known in dressage circles.

Anyway, in addition to being the easiest horse I have ever ridden and having the ground manners of a saint, she has apparently had some classical dressage training.....which I discovered much to my surprise during my first flat lesson with her.

So I was doing some pretty basic flatwork and at one point was working on having a steady contact at the walk. My mare starts to relax and all of a sudden she starts sort of throwing her front legs, sort of snapping her knees straight and jutting them forward. Almost like prancing on the forehand. Sorry to sound like an idiot, but is there a name for this? I have easily been able to repeat this, when she is warmed up and relaxed and I have a steady contact.

I have to say that I don't know much about her background. If she is doing moves like this, what level dressage training might she have?

Also was wondering if anyone has has any experience with Fabriano offspring. Are they usually this freakishly easy to ride? (her previous owner was a 12 year old girl, whom she was packing around 4 ft courses...)

[Ibex]

Like a Spanish Walk?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToGnj8QrwU&feature=fvsr

Not actually the part of any dressage test, but a fun trick at least! I've mostly seen it done with baroque breeds like the PRE.

[Ambrey]

Spanish walk? It's not really a dressage movement, but many people teach their horses to do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_walk

[3eme]

Like a Spanish Walk?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToGnj8QrwU&feature=fvsr

Not actually the part of any dressage test, but a fun trick at least! I've mostly seen it done with baroque breeds like the PRE.

Yes! That's it!! :yes: :D

[pluvinel]

The Spanish walk is not just a trick...it is also an exercise taught to horses as a precursor to passage. It is used to "explain" to the horse that you want it to elevate the forehand.

Perhaps your horse knows passage.

If so, then this horse was at least 4th level and probably schooling some FEI movements....though Spanish Walk is also used to just teach elevation of the front at any level.

[chipkalee]

Yes, as pluvinel suggests, it is a dressage 'movement', just not in the main stream these days. Great for passage and also better canter departs. Lucky you. Half your work is done. :)

[Dressurfan]

Definitely sounds like spanish walk.
Fabriano offspring have a reputation for being very rideable with great temperments. I have also found this to be true in my experience. Lucky you!!
http://www.bridlewoodhanoverians.com/fabuleux.php this popular breeding stallion is also by Fabriano.

[Foxtrot's]

Your hubby just went out and bought you this neat horse???? Hug him.

[3eme]

The Spanish walk is not just a trick...it is also an exercise taught to horses as a precursor to passage. It is used to "explain" to the horse that you want it to elevate the forehand.

Perhaps your horse knows passage.

If so, then this horse was at least 4th level and probably schooling some FEI movements....though Spanish Walk is also used to just teach elevation of the front at any level.

Even if she did know passage, this lowly jumper rider wouldn't even begin to know how to ask for it! ;)

I do think that I will find a use for the Spanish Walk, though: prize ceremonies!

Thanks for the great info, everyone.

[3eme]

Your hubby just went out and bought you this neat horse???? Hug him.

Oh I did!

He doesn't know how to buy jewelry. I think I'll "settle" for horses!

[Peggy]

What fun! And good that you have found both the on and off button. Years ago my mom and her friend went in together on this mare b/c she was supposedly trained in dressage and she was cheap. Fairly ugly, pretty old, but she really did know dressage. We all rode our first lateral movements on her. She also had a Spanish walk, but we were never sure of the on button and definitely couldn't find the off. In retrospect, she probably used this when she was sick of our attempts to figure out dressage. At any rate, she would go into the Spanish walk for no apparent reason, and then we couldn't figure out how to switch it off. Cool, cool mare, tho.

[Alpha Mare]

I know of another, gelding, by Fabriano. Lovely horse, lovely gaits, lovely temperament. Easily goes in the ring with minimal warmup.

[caevent]

What fun! And good that you have found both the on and off button. Years ago my mom and her friend went in together on this mare b/c she was supposedly trained in dressage and she was cheap. Fairly ugly, pretty old, but she really did know dressage. We all rode our first lateral movements on her. She also had a Spanish walk, but we were never sure of the on button and definitely couldn't find the off. In retrospect, she probably used this when she was sick of our attempts to figure out dressage. At any rate, she would go into the Spanish walk for no apparent reason, and then we couldn't figure out how to switch it off. Cool, cool mare, tho.

I rode an Andalusian like that! You could only ask for the Spanish walk at the very end of the ride. He seemed to enjoy it so much that he wouldn't want to stop!

[Dune]

Your hubby just went out and bought you this neat horse???? Hug him.

I think the guy deserves more than just a hug! ;):yes:

[stryder]

What fun! And good that you have found both the on and off button. Years ago my mom and her friend went in together on this mare b/c she was supposedly trained in dressage and she was cheap. Fairly ugly, pretty old, but she really did know dressage. We all rode our first lateral movements on her. She also had a Spanish walk, but we were never sure of the on button and definitely couldn't find the off. In retrospect, she probably used this when she was sick of our attempts to figure out dressage. At any rate, she would go into the Spanish walk for no apparent reason, and then we couldn't figure out how to switch it off. Cool, cool mare, tho.

One of the school horses where I ride will offer the Spanish Walk when the rider raises the hand and pinches with the thighs. It's a little difficult to tell the instructor that one isn't pinching and clutching, when, in fact, horsie is well into the Spanish Walk. "I'm not gripping." "Yes, horsie says you are."

OP, have fun with your new horse!