Current management and training practices for UK dressage horses

There are many instructional texts for dressage management and training, but little scientific knowledge of these practices. It was hypothesized that there would be an effect of horse competition level on management and training. The objectives were to record rider, horse, management and training information from UK dressage horses and to investigate relationships between the variables. A questionnaire-based study was undertaken in all the UK-registered dressage horses. Data from 2554 respondents showed most riders in groups 7/6 with horses competed at novice medium and trained one level higher. Horses were 164–171 cm and warmbloods were the predominant breed. Age and time in competition increased in training and competing from Preliminary to Prix St George. Horses competed twice per month except at Grand Prix (once per month). Most horses had 15–30 h turnout per week. Ninety-five per cent of horses received non-dressage exercise; hacking was the most common, then lunging and jumping. Non-elite horses were significantly more likely to be hacked/jumped than elite. Horses received dressage training three to four times a week, mean warm-up of 16min and cool-down 11min at all levels. Mean training duration was 36min: 21% walk, 45% trot and 32% canter. Preliminary, Novice, Intermediare I and Grand Prix horses trotted most and cantered least in training. Overall, time spent in transitions (30–39%), specific movements (30–39%), working paces (40–49%), collected (10–19%) and extended (0–9%) varied between levels; elite horses spent more time in collected and less time in working than non-elite. Overall, there were differences in training and management practices between competition levels. This information provides baseline data on which to provide future advice.