Too Much Spur and Too Much Hand – Finding A Balance In Dressage

Leg VS Hand

United States Olympic team member Allison Brock talks about riding the horse in front of the leg and onto the bit in this video. The part that nobody really wants to talk about is there is a balance between the leg and the spur and often riders are overusing both.

We have talked a lot about riders using too much spur and the appearance of blood on Grand Prix horses in the dressage ring.

In this video, Allison Brock correctly addresses how to use the spur as an effective aid, while talking about why the horse doesn’t want to go forward. Kicking a horse forward with the spur and continuing to hold it with the hand will not accomplish the goal of a forward-moving horse.