Bookshelf > Dressage > Selecting the Dressage Horse

Selecting the Dressage Horse: Conformation, Movement, Temperament
By Dirk Willem Rosie
Notes and comments by Anky van Grunsven

Hardcover: 120 pages (Mar 2007)
Language: English
Trafalgar Square Publishing ISBN: 1570763623

This is a well-thought-out book that covers the subject of the dressage horse in a significant amount of depth. It works something like a treatise on the current depth of horses competing in international dressage, and frequently refers to recent studies or calls for more research in particular areas.

The author, Dirk Willem Rosie, worked for the KWPN (Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook) from 1994 to 2006. The book features comments thoughout by Anky van Grunsven, one of the world's top dressage riders. It also draws from the research of Dr. P. René van Weeren and Dr. Kathalijne Visser-Riedstra from the Netherlands.

Despite the detailed analysis packed in to the 120 pages, I can't help but feel something is missing - namely, a focused discussion of the required angles that international-level dressage horses must posess. While the book covers the topics of bone length and angles in the front and hind legs, it doesn't come to any definitive conclusions. When talking about ‘a strong and supple topline,’ ie the horse's back, the book talks about length of back in relation to the horse's body, with no mention of the relative strenght that different bone structures will produce, regardless of the “length” of back.

The book is worth buying for discussion and comparison purposes. However, I also recommend that readers see Judy Wardrope’s articles on dressage conformation and bone structure (available as a free download from her website, www.jwequine.com); and Horsemanship by Walemar Seunig for a better understanding of the muscular structure used to produce collection.

Table of Contents

Part I: Conformation

The Goal of Dressage; Jumpers vs Dressage Horses; The "Uphill" Horse; The importance of long front legs; The Neck: An excellent instrument; A strong and supple topline; A croup to "sit" on; Hind legs built to carry; Built like an archer's bow and string

Part II: Movement

The importance of movement; Natural qualities; The walk: Incorrect or Brilliant; The Trot: Hind legs that "accelerate"; The Canter: The FEI and Mother Nature conflict; Comparing Roman and Gothic Churches; "Hay-Balers" and Turbo Horses

Part III: Temperament

The survey; Opposing characteristics; The importance of sociability; Learning ability: A gray area; The horse and rider partnership; "When I drop the reins, the world opens up again"

Apres: The Happy Athlete, Acknowledgements, References, Index

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