Editing Dressage (section)

== Training scale ==
Competitive dressage training in the U.S. is based on a progression of six steps developed by the German National Equestrian Foundation.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jennifer|first1=Bryant|title=The USDF Guide to Dressage|date=2006|publisher=Storey Publishing|location=North Adams, MA|pages=320|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHp40CJHd_gC&pg=PP1|access-date=13 November 2015|isbn=9781612122748}}</ref> This system is arranged in a pyramid or sequential fashion, with "rhythm and regularity" at the start of the pyramid and "collection" at the end. The training scale is helpful and effective as a guide for the training of any horse, but has come to be most closely associated with dressage.<ref name="40-Fundamentals">McNeil, Hollie H., ''40 Fundamentals of English Riding'', Storey Publishing, 2011, p. 83</ref> Despite its appearance, the training scale is not meant to be a rigid format. Instead, each level is built on as the horse progresses in training: so a Grand Prix horse would work on the refinement of the first levels of the pyramid, instead of focusing on only the final level: "collection." The levels are also interconnected. For example, a crooked horse cannot develop [[impulsion]], and a horse that is not relaxed will be less likely to travel with a rhythmic gait. However, this training scale as presented below is a translation from the German to the English.

=== Rhythm and regularity (''Takt'') ===
Rhythm, gait, tempo, and regularity should be the same on straight and bending lines, through lateral work, and through transitions. Rhythm refers to the sequence of the footfalls, which should only include the pure walk, pure trot, and pure canter. The regularity, or purity, of the gait includes the evenness and levelness of the stride. Once a rider can obtain pure gaits, or can avoid irregularity, the combination may be fit to do a more difficult exercise. Even in the very difficult [[piaffe]] there is still regularity: the horse "trots on the spot" in place, raising the front and hind legs in rhythm.

=== Relaxation (''Losgelassenheit'') ===
The second level of the pyramid is relaxation (looseness). Signs of looseness in the horse may be seen by an even stride that is swinging through the back and causing the tail to swing like a pendulum, looseness at the poll, a soft chewing of the bit, and a relaxed blowing through the nose. The horse makes smooth transitions, is easy to position from side to side, and willingly reaches down into the contact as the reins are lengthened.

=== Contact (''Anlehnung'') ===
Contact—the third level of the pyramid—is the result of the horse's pushing power, and should never be achieved by the pulling of the rider's hands. The rider encourages the horse to stretch into soft hands that allow the horse to lift the base of the neck, coming up into the bridle, and should always follow the natural motion of the animal's head. The horse should have equal contact in both reins.

=== Impulsion (''Schwung'') ===
[[File:2011 FEI 112.jpg|thumb|upright|An upper level dressage horse at the [[canter]]]]
The pushing power (thrust) of the horse is called [[impulsion]], and is the fourth level of the training pyramid. Impulsion is created by storing the energy of engagement (the forward reaching of the hind legs under the body).

Proper impulsion is achieved by means of:
*Correct driving aids of the rider
*Relaxation of the horse
* [[Throughness]] (''Durchlässigkeit''): the flow of energy through the horse from front to back and back to front. The musculature of the horse is connected, supple, elastic, and unblocked, and the rider's aids go freely through the horse.

Impulsion can occur at the walk, trot and canter. It is highly important to establish good, forward movement and impulsion at the walk, as achieving desirable form in the trot and canter relies heavily on the transition from a good, supple, forward walk.

Impulsion not only encourages correct muscle and joint use, but also engages the mind of the horse, focusing it on the rider and, particularly at the walk and trot, allowing for relaxation and dissipation of nervous energy.

=== Straightness (''Geraderichtung'') ===
A horse is straight when the hind legs follow the path of the front legs, on both straight lines and on bending lines, and the body follows the line of travel. Straightness allows the horse to channel its impulsion directly toward its [[center of balance (horse)|center of balance]], and allows the rider's hand aids to have a connection to the hind end.
When working on straightness in the horse, a common exercise is used called 'shoulder in'.<ref name="The Shoulder In">{{cite web|last1=Dressage Academy|title=The Shoulder In|url=http://www.dressage-academy.com/schooling-tips/shoulder-in.php|website=Dressage Academy|access-date=November 24, 2016}}</ref> The exercise is the beginning of straightness in the horse as well as collection and can increase impulsion in the horse.<ref name="The Shoulder In"/>

=== Collection (''Versammlung'') ===
At the apex of the training scale stands collection. It may refer to collected gaits: they can be used occasionally to supplement less vigorous work. It involves difficult movements (such as [[flying change]]s) in more advanced horses. Collection requires greater muscular strength, so must be advanced upon slowly. When in a collected gait, the stride length should shorten, and the stride should increase in energy and activity.

When a horse collects, more weight moves to the hindquarters. Collection is natural for horses and is often seen during pasture play. A collected horse can move more freely. The joints of the hind limbs have greater flexion, allowing the horse to lower the hindquarters, bringing the hind legs further under the body, and lighten and lift the forehand. In essence, collection is the horse's ability to move its centre of gravity to the rear while lifting the freespan of its back to better round under the rider.