In this space, Yolanda— founder of Gallery Horse and a leading figure in classical dressage—shares her experience, recommendations, and reflections to help you choose your next horse and accompany you every step of the way in the world of high-level equestrianism.
Kissing spines (overriding dorsal spinous processes) are often feared in dressage, but they’re not always a career-ender. We explain what they are, how to spot them, why training and saddle fit matter, and the paths—from rehab to surgery—that can bring a horse back to work.
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True suppleness isn’t built overnight — it’s shaped step by step through correct lateral work. From the leg yield’s quiet obedience to the half pass’s collected strength, each exercise teaches balance, elasticity, and communication. Together, they form the language of harmony — the poetry of dressage in motion.
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Dressage begins and ends with love for the horse. Beyond medals and scores, true excellence comes from harmony — a partnership built on trust, patience, and understanding. Because when training is guided by love, the result is not just technical brilliance, but joy — the kind you can see in a horse that wants to dance.
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Cribbing, weaving, and stall kicking are not contagious — they’re cries for help. When several horses in the same barn develop the same bad habits, it’s not imitation, it’s a management issue. Lack of turnout, poor feeding schedules, and social isolation are the real culprits. Stable vices don’t spread like viruses. They spread like stress.
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We often focus on when to start riding a young horse — but what about when to stop? Age is just a number. A 12-year-old with a weak topline may be more at risk than a well-conditioned 6-year-old. Riding longevity depends on muscle, balance, conformation, previous injuries, and honest observation. A horse can be ridden as long as they can carry us without pain — not based on age, but on function.
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In this post, we explore the real bottlenecks of modern dressage: from the physical and mental demands of a 10-year journey, to the pressure from competitions and market expectations. We question whether today’s system — including breeding priorities, test design, and progression structure — is truly sustainable for horse welfare and long-term success. Maybe it’s time to rethink the way we measure excellence.
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True dressage mastery lies not only in technique, but in the ability to observe, feel, and adapt. Horses don’t speak with words, but they communicate everything — through tension, stillness, movement. The best riders are those who listen when the horse “says” something’s not right. At Gallery Horse, we believe that building a deep relationship, based on respect and awareness, is what transforms a rider from good to exceptional.
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In dressage, it’s increasingly common to see exceptional horses that never reach their full potential — not because of a lack of talent, but due to how they’re managed. Many riders, breeders, and trainers overlook the horse’s true nature: a social herd animal designed to move, graze, and interact for most of the day. Instead, horses are often confined, isolated, and subjected to unsuitable routines, leading to stress, health issues, and wasted potential. At Gallery Horse, we’ve seen remarkable transformations when horses are given space, fair training, social contact, and consistency. True horsemanship starts with deep knowledge, empathy, and respect for the horse’s physical, emotional, and mental needs.
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At Gallery Horse, we’ve spent years listening to riders, breeders, and sellers — and we’ve seen a pattern: everyone is facing real challenges, but no one talks about them. This blog is here to change that. Whether you're searching for a horse, selling one, or simply trying to stay true to your passion, this space is for honest stories, real insights, and shared experiences. Welcome to a blog made for those who live and breathe dressage — not just the highlights, but the journey.
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