Dressage Terminology                      

Cadence—The hind legs must "swing through" and engage well underneath the horse. The moment of suspension is more clearly defined.

Collection—When a horse is working in collection the quarters take more of the load. The haunches (hip and stifle joints) are flexing more and the hind legs step more under the horse's center of balance. This lightens the forehand and allows greater freedom of movement. The strides become shorter without losing energy and activity. The horse looks and feels more "uphill." In the trot as well as in the canter, the impulsion needs to be fully maintained, rendering these gaits more expressive and cadenced.

The horse's anatomy is such that it carries most of his own weight on the forehand. This situation is adversely effected by the rider's position directly behind the shoulders. Therefore, it is also in the interest of soundness and safety of the footfalls if the hindquarters are induced to carry more of the weight. Consequently, it is advantageous for every horse to go in a certain measure of collection.

Contact—A soft, steady connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth. A correct, steady contact allows the horse to find it's balance under the rider and find a rhythm in each gait. Contact must never be obtained by pulling back with the reins. It must result from the correct development of the pushing powers of the horse. The discreetly driving aids of the rider cause the horse to step into the hands with confidence.

Elevation —Relative elevation is relative to the horse's ability to collect at any particular stage of his training according to his conformation.

Impulsion —The energy created by the hind legs transmitted into the gaits and into every aspect of the forward movement. Impulsion is the result of the correct influence of the rider, utilizing the natural gaits of the horse and combining them with relaxation, and the development of the horse's pushing power and throughness.

Rhythm—The regularity and the purity of the steps or strides in each gait, covering equal distance and of equal duration. The metronomic "beat" of the horse's footfalls. It should not vary.

Rhythm and Regularity —Rhythm and regularity have to be maintained on straight lines, in all bending and/or lateral work, and during transitions. If an exercise or a movement is not regular it cannot be rated good. A training exercise is non-productive if it causes irregularity.

Relaxation —Relaxation has been achieved when the horse is willing to stretch his neck forward and down in all three gaits (allowing the horse to chew the reins out of the rider's hands). A relaxed horse moves with a swinging back and in a natural, regular rhythm without hurrying. The horse accepts the driving aids and allows a supple rider to sit comfortably.

Straightness—In a straight horse the pushing powers work directly towards the horse's center of balance. The forehand is in line with its hindquarters allowing the horse's longitudinal axis to follow the straight or curved line of the track. The rider's restraining aids will then pass through the horse correctly, via the horse's mouth, the poll, the neck, and the back through to the quarters and influence both hind legs equally.

Submission—The horse's willingness to conform to directions from the rider.

Suppleness —The horse's body is free of tension. He looks dimensional with clear muscular definition.

Tempo—The rate of repetition of the rhythm. Ideally, it appears easy and without tension.

Throughness—Throughness is the quality that allows the horse to move with relaxation and obedience equally in both directions, accepting easily the forward or sideways driving as well as the restraining aids. Throughness is the key characteristic of a correctly trained horse.