What Do You Think About Using Thoroughbreds For Dressage?
Are they capable of being good dressage horses, or are they simply not suited for some of the movements? I ask because I’ve always loved riding Thoroughbreds and I find that a lot of them are quite good at getting round. Personally I think they’re one of the most intelligent breeds as they learn so quickly, yet everyone disagrees. They say they don’t like using TBs for dressage because they’re harder to get the form correct and execute some of the movements. Thoughts?
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I myself have a Thoroughbred- an OTTB to be exact. We do mainly dressage (along with some jumping), and I’ve been told by a retired ‘R’ judge I know, that he could do 3rd level- and win. We’re slowly working towards this and are learning together!
Look at this famous Thoroughbred-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb8H3YyDx…
Another Thoroughbred in Grand Prix-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOhcuwzrF…
I love them, but the problem with thoroughbreds is they’re everywhere. Meaning, there are a lot of low quality thoroughbreds being added into the mix, along with a lot of OTTBs. Low quality horses of any breed simply don’t have the conformation to perform some of the high level dressage moves. OTTBs are started under saddle and training so early that they will almost always develop joint or ligament issues that will again leave them unable to perform the high level dressage moves.
I think a thoroughbred would make an excellent dressage horse for the reasons that you listed, but a good quality sound thoroughbred who was raised and backed properly is hard to find – it’s like looking for the metaphorical needle in the haystack.
From personal experience, I’ve trained many TBs and the problem I have ran into for most was that they just aren’t flexible enough for the more advanced movements. However if you want to do lower level dressage they would be suitable! I’ve worked with many breeds and I have trained dressage horses and most TBs just can’t physically do some of the movements and they can be quite stiff. It’s not that they aren’t smart enough for it because they definitly are! They just aren’t as ‘maleable’ as some other breeds. They also carry themselves a little different but of course this can be different between horses.
Hope this helps!
Don’t listen to people who say finding a good throughbred is like finding a needle in a haystack. I’ve yet to find a bad one, although I know they are out there. Getting an ottb is a good option, and they will not “almost always” develop joint issues. In fact, 2 of ours are off the track and they are fine. There are 2 18 year old ottb 3rd level dressage horses at the barn who are also sound. Sure you will find some with porblems and some who aren’t bred properly, but finding a well bred thoroughbred is a lot easier to do than finding a lot of other back yard breeds. If you know what you are looking for and have an educated eye come with you, you will be able to find an awesome thoroughbred that has the potential to take you far. Also, they are hot blooded which does mean that they are quick learners.
I have a TB who I do dressage with, after retraining him from a racehorse and he has always been placed (we are only doing prelim and novice) hes had some very good comments and marks and is admired by others but he is unable to do some movements that my warmblood can do. He is usually calm in the ring as well which is unusual for some TB’s and hes only been out of racing for 7 months and have already got him being placed in novice dressage, go thoroughbreds!!
I love thoroughbreds. They learn so fast and they have great personalities and are very willing! I event on TBs and they are great. I think they are good at dressage and when they are round they have very nice form. When people say TBs can’t execute some of the movements, well I say it depends on the horse and how it is trained. Any horse can be trained to do anything and if you work with the horse on the movements alot and train them how do do them, I think your good to go. Especially since TBs are so easy to train and they are extremely smart.
I definitely reccomend them for dressage and eventing! 
I use a ottb for dressage and we’re starting him piaffe right now . Sometimes he just can’t handle it. I’ve thought about using a different horse with more brain power than him. But he’s almost 17 hands and he is black and I think i look good on him. I just don’t think we will do much better. I hate knowing we’re gonna have a difficult lesson. I’m the only tb in my dressage barn of about 12 serious people and about 40 lesson ppl. Everyone uses some type of warmblood. I swear there’s a couple of ppl on qh’s that do better.
They might not be able to go around like some warmbloods do as easily, but they are perfectly capable. I mean, really, look at Eventers. Alot of the horses they use are TBs- And they do Dressage as well as Jumping, which is more difficult than doing Dressage alone. (You try doing a Dressage test when your horse knows that after it they get to gallop around Cross Country lol)
This is Becky Holder’s horse Comet- She was at the Olympics for Eventing last year. Comet’s a OTTB. http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&ei…
And, another question similar to yours with a good answer: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?…
It all depends on what your TB’s confirmation is like,http://www.darrentaplin.com/ (click on breeding services)
That’s a TB you would use in dressage, that horse is actually the father of the TB I have, who looks more like a Selle Francais.
Now if you have a different TB, http://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-98275
Sure you could do training maybe 1st level, but you probably won’t do very well, and you for sure won’t advance up the levels.
It all depends on the horse, sometimes your lucky, sometimes your not.
I think TBs are the best breed also. They are versatile and intelligent. If you have the ability to train it correctly, your TB can do whatever you ask him to. If I did dressage, I would use a TB or a TB cross. Those warmbloods are just way too much work for me! I have two TB crosses and I love ‘em!
Properly trained and well conformed TB’s can be great as dressage. I know one that does Grand Prix.
It is true that warmbloods tend to have an uphill build which makes it easier for them to do collected work, whereas TB’s tend to be more level. But that does not make TB’s bad horses for dressage.
Thoroughbreds are incredibly versatile, and I’ve seen TBs do beautifullyy at dressage. Personally, I prefer Warmbloods, but thats just me, and I think a Thoroughbred with good training can do just as well as any other horse in any other discipline.
i have a thoroughbred who i event and do dressage with. in my experience judges love thoroughbreds and i have gotten a high score award with him with a 72%. they have a very fluid trot and rolling canter and are every agile. you will do fine! good luck!
with proper training they can. thoroughbreds generally have very nice confermations and are very versitile with there abilities. i personally prefer thoroghbreds with a little bit of a mix in them they seem to be calmer
Thoroughbreds are very versatile. So yeah, they can be dressage horses. My friend has a TB mare that she does dressage with, and they’re wonderful. Although, some people prefer Warmbloods.
Every trainer will have a different opinion about thoroughbreds, they can be and are very good dressage horses if you have the patience to train them which some trainers do not.
if you train him for it, then why not! Just because hes a thoroughbred, doesn’t mean the only thing hes good for is racing. good luck!