The Dressage Training Scale: A Practical Framework for Developing Horses

The dressage training scale is associated with competitive dressage, but it applies to developing any riding horse. Whether you ride English or Western, show jump or trail ride, start colts or bring along seasoned horses, the principles remain the same.

The scale is a pyramid. It starts with rhythm, then suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and, finally, collection. It illustrates how training builds on itself over time. Rather than being a checklist to push through, it demonstrates the building blocks that create a well-trained horse.

In this blog post, I'll walk through each element of the scale and what it entails.

1. Rhythm

The bottom of the pyramid is rhythm. It is the consistent, repeatable sequence and timing of footfalls in each gait. At its simplest, it is consistent movement. A clear rhythm tells us that the horse is physically comfortable and mentally settled.

Rhythm combines two things: correct beats in each gait (four beats in walk, two beats in trot, three beats in canter) as well as steady speed. The horse should maintain a consistent tempo and length of stride.

2. Suppleness

Suppleness describes the horse's ability to move, bend, stretch, and adjust without tension. It is the physical and mental ability to move freely and work without stiffness. A supple horse feels elastic, relaxed, and comfortable to ride.

Suppleness is about both physical and mental relaxation. Physically, it involves the relaxation of muscles, freedom through the joints, and free movement. Mentally, it is a horse that is relaxed, willing, and responsive. True suppleness cannot be rushed and is developed through patient, progressive work that prioritizes relaxation before aesthetics.

3. Contact

Contact refers to the consistent connection between the horse and rider, often associated with the connection between the rider's hands and the bit in the horse's mouth. While it's often associated with the tension of the reins, correct contact is the result of rhythm and suppleness. It should come from the horse, developed over time, not be imposed by the rider through pressure on the reins.

I view contact as a conversation: light, responsive, and adjustable depending on the horse's stage of development and state of mind.

4. Impulsion

Impulsion is the controlled, purposeful energy generated from the hindquarters and carried forward through the body. It is not just about speed. Without rhythm, suppleness, and contact, attempts to add impulsion often create tension instead— seen in a raised head, hollow back, and rushing horse. When the right building blocks are in place, impulsion develops naturally as the horse becomes stronger, more coordinated, and more confident in their work.

This stage especially highlights the importance of progressive conditioning and realistic expectations for each individual horse.

5. Straightness

Straightness refers to the horse's ability to carry themselves evenly without falling onto one shoulder or drifting through the body. Because horses are naturally asymmetrical, straightness is a trained skill. Going in a straight line is harder for a horse than we might expect. It's much easier for them to travel on a curve.

Improving straightness protects soundness, improves clarity of aids, and supports long-term physical health. It's also an important part of correctly riding a pattern or a line in anything from reining to dressage to showjumping.

6. Collection

Collection sits at the top of the scale because it depends on everything beneath it. It can sometimes feel like the holy grail of horsemanship. It's difficult to achieve, and not everyone knows exactly what it is. True collection goes far beyond a head position. It reflects a horse's ability to shift their weight onto their hindquarters, lighten the forehand, and maintain balance with minimal effort. True collection is a beautiful sight.

This stage is not appropriate or necessary for every horse or every goal. When it is proposed, it must be developed gradually, respecting the horse's physical maturity, mental readiness, and all the layers of the training scale that culminate in it.

The most important thing to remember about collection is that it should not feel forced. In true collection, the horse becomes lighter, not more restricted.

How the training scale guides my work

I don’t use the dressage training scale as a rigid formula. Instead, I use it as a planning tool. When a horse struggles, the scale helps identify why and guides where adjustments are needed. It also helps me build thoughtful, individualized training plans.

Across disciplines and individual goals, the scale reinforces principles I value deeply:

• Prioritizing relaxation and understanding

• The importance of building blocks and developing skills progressively

• Supporting long-term confidence and soundness

• Letting the horse's responses guide the training process

At the end of the day, the dressage training scale is all about developing horses in a way that sets them up for success.

Illustration of The Dressage Training Scale by Beatrice Stocks