- Dressage Definition -

Dressage (French, "training") refers to training a horse to be thoroughly supple, balanced, and responsive. Basic dressage work includes collection and extension (shortening and lengthening the horse's stride) at the walk, trot, and canter, and such lateral movements as the leg yield, in which the horse moves forward and to one side simultaneously. Dressage can be used as training for other disciplines, for competition, as in horse shows, or for exhibition. The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Australia, founded about 1572, is the world's most celebrated center of exhibition dressage; among the haute 'cole (highest-schooling) movements are the piaffe, or trot in place, and the so-called airs above the ground, including the levade, controlled rearing, and the capriole, in which the horse simultaneously leaps and kicks out its hind legs.

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