Daniel Buxton Dressage

21/08/2025

This is Why I’m Not a Fan of Side Reins

👉 Look at this video: the horse is tucked behind the vertical.

A lot of people think this is correct, but it’s not true collection — it’s a sign the horse is avoiding the contact, not accepting it.

I’m not saying side reins are evil

I know a lot of riders use side reins as part of their training, but personally, I’m not a fan. Here’s why:
• They can restrict natural movement. Horses learn balance and self-carriage by finding it themselves. Side reins can lock the head and neck into a fixed position, which doesn’t encourage true engagement from behind.
• They mask problems instead of solving them. A horse that’s tense, hollow, or not tracking up needs correct riding, not artificial gadgets. Side reins may create the “look” of roundness, but they don’t teach the horse how to use its body properly.
• They can cause discomfort. If adjusted too tightly or used without enough understanding, they can make a horse feel trapped, anxious, or resistant.
• I prefer building trust and strength. My focus is on exercises that encourage suppleness, relaxation, and willingness — like long and low work, poles, transitions, and varied riding. These methods develop a horse naturally, without forcing a frame.

— some trainers use them responsibly in very specific situations — but for me, they’re not the tool I reach for. I’d rather invest the time in helping the horse find balance and softness through correct riding.

11/08/2025

Some moments in training just fill your heart — and this is one of them. 💖

This is my favourite time of the month with Nobby, watching Nicole Garnett dedication and quiet determination shine through.

The bond between them is growing stronger every day, and the progress they’ve made together is nothing short of inspiring. Feeling so grateful to witness this journey. 🐴✨

10/08/2025

“Every young horse is a blank page, and dressage is the art of writing their story with patience, kindness, and clarity. 🐎✨ Today’s session wasn’t about perfection—it was about building trust, balance, and understanding, one soft step at a time. The best movements start from the heart. 💙 ”

09/08/2025

As a dressage trainer, my job is to inspire and push others forward — but the truth is, my own fire is lit from many sources.

I work a full-time job, train in the gym, manage a lifestyle and I do this in the hours most people spend resting — early mornings, late nights, weekends in the saddle or at the arena.

It’s not easy, but passion rarely is.

I’m driven by the silent honesty of the horse — they never fake effort, never hide truth, and never hand you respect without earning it.

Every ride is a mirror, showing me my strengths and my flaws without judgement, just clarity.

I’m fueled by the riders who fight for harmony over control, who understand that greatness isn’t built in a day but in thousands of imperfect moments strung together with patience.

I’m compelled by the craft itself — the endless refinement, the pursuit of a language so pure it’s spoken without words.

Dressage is not just a sport, it’s a meditation, a discipline, a quest to become the kind of person a horse would choose to follow.

And deep down, what drives me is this: the belief that each ride is not about proving we can master the horse, but about proving we can master ourselves.”**

08/08/2025

✨ The Quiet Power of Trying ✨

In the dressage arena, progress isn’t always measured in ribbons or perfect scores — sometimes it’s in the little moments no one sees.

Like the rider who arrives early to groom her horse, even in the rain.

The student who practices transitions again and again until they’re smoother than yesterday.

The one who rides through mistakes, not around them, and listens more than they speak.

She may not feel like the “best” in the class, but she shows up. Every time. With patience, humility, and the willingness to learn.

Her horse trusts her more each week.

Her seat is quieter, her hands softer.

Her confidence grows — not because it’s easy, but because she refuses to give up.

In dressage, that’s the real victory.
The kind that stays with you long after the applause fades. 💙🐎 Karen Winter

06/08/2025

🌅🐎 Morning Rides Hit Different 🐎🌅Up before the sun, just me and my horse,crunching along the trail while the world wakes up slow.Cool breeze, quiet roads, mist on the fields —this is the kind of peace you can’t buy.No traffic, no noise, just breath and hoofbeats.Coffee tastes better after a ride like this.Grateful for mornings that start in the saddle. 💛

05/08/2025

Now and then, I find myself reflecting on why certain instructors—whose methods may not always prioritise classical foundations—often have busier schedules than those who teach in a slower, more correct, horse-focused way.

There are many reasons, and most of them have nothing to do with a lack of care or intention from the riders:

🔹 Quick results can be appealing.
It’s human nature to want progress to come quickly. But true dressage—rooted in feel, balance, and partnership—takes time. It’s not always glamorous, but it lasts.

🔹 Encouragement is important—but so is honesty.
Sometimes riders stay where they feel confident and validated, which is understandable. But growth often starts with gentle, constructive challenge.

🔹 Not all riders have been exposed to what ‘correct’ really feels like.
Without that reference point, it’s easy to mistake flash for quality. That’s where education—not criticism—makes the biggest difference.

🔹 Access, cost, and convenience play a huge role.
Not every rider has the time or ability to seek out more specialised instruction. That doesn’t reflect on their dedication—it’s just reality.

The truth is, correct dressage can be quiet, gradual, and less visible. It often doesn’t show up on social media the way fast results do. But for those of us committed to the long road—for the sake of the horse—it’s always worth it.

Let’s keep teaching thoughtfully, riding kindly, and sharing what good training really looks and feels like—without judgment.

05/08/2025

04/08/2025

597 likes, 28 comments. “Your horse knows what your nervous system is whispering”

02/08/2025

Working with young horses is such a rewarding experience! Watching their curiosity and personality blossom as they learn new things is truly special. It takes patience, consistency, and a gentle touch to build trust and confidence early on.

01/08/2025

“This must be where my love of horses comes from — it’s in my blood. Passed down through the quiet strength and grace of my grandmother, her bond with these beautiful creatures lives on in me.”