A close up image of the letter B of the dressage arena while the sun sets

ASKHQ: COUNTER-CANTER

Q: What is counter-canter and why is it worth practising? Counter-canter is when a horse deliberately canters on the outside lead. For example, the horse canters on the left lead on a right-hand circle, or the right lead on a left-hand loop. In ordinary canter work, the horse’s leading leg matches the direction of travel;…

BylizzieDecember 13, 20250Comments

Dressage letters on the edge of a dressage arena at a riding school in South Africa - HQ Magazine

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: FREE WALK

Q: The dressage judge described my horse’s free work as ‘lacking impulsion and stretch’. How can I work on this? My horse is slow and deliberate in the walk and prefers to look around than hang his head. Is this fixable, or is my dressage score for the free walk always going to be low?…

BylizzieNovember 17, 20250Comments

Horse Training

CIRCLES

The wonders of circles Dressage is all about suppleness. Without consistent bend throughout your horse’s body lots of exercises become difficult and you’ll struggle to get a respectable dressage score. Here we give you two simple exercises that you can work on that will ultimately help to improve your circles: Spice it up: Circles are…

BylizzieOctober 23, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

DRESSAGE FOR THE SHOWJUMPING HORSE

Text: Shari Michaelis While showjumping might seem like a ‘point and shoot’ discipline to some spectators, a good showjumping round requires much more from the horse than just clearing the jumps. Showjumping demands that the horse is adjustable, flexible, in balance, has straightness in his body and has a good and powerful canter. Working the horse…

BylizzieMay 1, 20210Comments

ASKHQ: COUNTER-CANTER

ASKHQ: FREE WALK

CIRCLES

DRESSAGE FOR THE SHOWJUMPING HORSE

HQ Newsletter