These short snippets are written by Sue Hughes from Plymouth, Michigan.

Sue Hughes is a Level III Centered Riding Instructor, USEF Licensed Judge in Western Dressage, Dressage and Eventing, Life Member CHA, Region 2 Director USDF, Retired Clinic Instructor for Certified Horsemanship Association, has participated in Dressage through Prix St. George and is an USDF “Distinguished Member”.

Sue has a lifetime of experience working with both horses and riders and she is also the WDAMI Vice President and a respected judge and clinician. Thank you, Sue, for your contributions to the wellness of horses.

Click on Short Articles About the Mechanics of Western Dressage to read or download all of Sue’s Snippets at once or click on an individual Snippet to read or download information about the title of the Snippet.

Enjoy and Learn!!

Sue’s Snippets:  Short Articles About the Mechanics of Western Dressage

Snippet 1:  Essential Ligaments

Snippet 2:  Hollowness and Straightness

Snippet 3:  Correct Bend on the Circle

Snippet 4:  See the Bend from the Top

Snippet 5:  When Spines Meet

Snippet 6:  Cracking the Half Halt Code

Snippet 7:  Engaged

Snippet 8:  What To Do With the Reins? 

Snippet 9:  Transitions Between the Gaits

Snippet 10:  Transitions Within the Gaits

Snippet 11:  Intro to the 4 Kinds of Half Halts

Snippet 12:  Building Blocks

Snippet 13:  The Importance of Counting

Snippet 14:  Three Words-Contact, Connection, Collection

Snippet 15:  Throughness

Snippet 16:  Help!  How Do I Get My Horse to First Level

Snippet 17:  Circles and How to Solve Their Mysteries for Dressage

Snippet 18:  How the Horses Rhythm Affects Its Balance

Snippet 19:  How Horses Turn Themselves

Snippet 20:  What’s All The Fuss About The Outside Rein?

Snippet 21:  What Does Ring Geometry Teach Us