April brings a plethora of exciting events to the dressage competition calendar as we get further into spring. See our list below for upcoming events near you. Plus, our April to-do list offers training advice from Laura Graves and Olivia Lagoy-Weltz, tips on creating beautiful “button” braids, pasture, tack and health checks and tips for safe trailering.

Events

• TerraNova Dressage I: April 3 – 6; Myakka City, Florida
• Welcome Back to White Fences IV: April 4 – 6, Loxahatchee, Florida
• Florida Dressage Concours I: April 5; Venice, Florida
• Florida Dressage Concours II: April 6; Venice, Florida
• World Equestrian Center April Dressage: April 9 – 13; Ocala, Florida
• Equine Affaire: April 10 – 13; Columbus, Ohio
• Golden State Dressage Festival: April 11 – 13; Rancho Murieta, California
• Texas Rose Dressage Classic I: April 11 – 12; Tyler, Texas
• Gold Coast Dressage Finale II: April 13; West Palm Beach, Florida
• Texas Rose Dressage Classic II: April 13; Tyler, Texas
• Del Mar National Horse Show: April 17 – 20; Del Mar, California
• Tryon Spring Dressage 1: April 18 – 20; Mill Spring, North Carolina
• Spring Fever: April 19 – 20; Aiken, South Carolina
• Devonwood In The Spring: April 24 – 27; Sherwood, Oregon
• Global Dressage Series Final: April 26 – 27; Wellington, Florida

Watch & Learn on E+

Contact Versus Connection: Do You Know the Difference? Olympic dressage rider Laura Graves breaks down the distinction between contact and collection and how you can improve both in this video series on EQUESTRIAN+.

Get Your Horse in Front of Your Leg: Teach your horse how to respond positively to your leg aids with the strategies in this video series from Olivia Lagoy-Weltz.

To Do

Braiding beauty: For breathtaking beauty in the competition ring, a well-appointed dressage horse knows no equal. Adding to the allure are the exquisite “button” braids that are traditional in our discipline. Larger than hunter braids, they form little rosette-like decorations along the crest. This style helps highlight the muscles across the horse’s topline as he executes one precision movement after another. Learn how to create beautiful button braids here.

Update your membership info: Make sure all of your membership information is up to date with US Equestrian, USDF and any other affiliate organizations you belong to.

Blanket inventory: Check your horse’s blankets and sheets for any rips, loose straps or damaged hardware and make repairs as needed. Wash all blankets and store securely for next winter.

Donate: If you have any blankets or turnout sheets past their prime, donate them to an equine rescue organization. Volunteers can often get creative with makeshift repairs. Many dog and cat shelters will also accept them as bedding for their animals.

Create/update your show-day checklist: Reduce unnecessary pre-competition stress by creating a reliable show checklist. Click here for ideas to get you started.

Blood work: Your horse’s annual exam should include a wide spectrum of blood work to check for mild forms of anemia, the effectiveness of your deworming program and the presence of any lingering low-grade systemic infections. These days, it’s also wise to check for diseases such as EPM or Lyme, especially if prevalent in your area.

Adopt a smarter deworming program: You may have heard that rotational deworming charts are old news. But there are other new parasite-control recommendations you should follow to protect your horse. If you need to reevaluate your deworming plan, click here.

Check and Manage Pastures

• Regularly walk pastures and note any changes in grass or weeds, harmful or potentially toxic plants or other hazards like downed tree limbs or holes.
• Provide sufficient pasture space based on the number of horses you manage to prevent overgrazing (which can also leave horses more exposed to parasites).
• Maintain healthy pastures by keeping them mowed and weeded.
• If possible, rotate pastures or section off portions to give fields time to “rest” and regrow.
• Consider having your soil tested to determine its pH level and nutrients (primarily nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Your local cooperative extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service or conservation district office can advise on how to get your pasture’s soil tested and can often recommended specific fertilizers that might be necessary to correct pH levels.

Tack Safety Inspection

Conduct a rigorous safety examination of all your riding equipment.

• Bit: Check your bit for tiny cracks or areas that appear worn down, as these are signs it might be close to breaking.
• Reins: Undo the reins from the bit and inspect the internal stitching next to the hook stud or buckle that fastens the rein around the bit. The stitching should still be complete, and the hook stud or buckle itself should still be solidly fixed on the inside of the rein. If the leather piece that wraps around the bit is beginning to show a groove, it’s time to replace them.
• Bridle cheekpieces: Make sure the leather is in good condition and replace any keepers that have stretched so much that they no longer “keep” the cheekpieces.
• Saddle: Thoroughly inspect your saddle for cracks, worn stitching, excessive wear, broken hardware and make sure stitching on the billet straps is sound and the tree is in good condition.

Healthy Hauling

Especially if you’re going to be traveling a lot this spring for shows, keep these tips in mind to ensure your horse is healthy and happy on the road.

• Encourage hydration: Provide access to clean, fresh water at all times to ensure your horse remains hydrated during travel. Check you horse’s water source every few hours. If you’re hauling in excessive heat, you might also consider giving him electrolytes to replenish any key nutrients he’s lost through sweat.
• Tidy up: Every stop, pick out manure and thoroughly wash out all manure and urine after a trip.
• Offer hay: Provide your horse with hay during his travels to give him something to do and to keep forage in his stomach to help stave off any digestive problems that might arise due to travel stress.
• Allow for air: Maximize ventilation in your trailer to prevent hot, stagnant air or exhaust fumes from building up.
• Ulcer prevention: If you horse is prone to ulcers or even mild gastric upset when he’s on the road, consider giving him an ulcer-preventative before you hit the road.
• Provide ample rest time: If you’re traveling long distance, try to arrive at least several days (ideally a week) before a big competition to give your horse plenty of time to rest and recover from travel stress.

Happy April from Your Friends at Dressage Today!