The Dressage Pyramid Of Training

• Takt (Rhythm)
• Losgelassenheit (Relaxation)
• Anlehnung (Contact)
• Schwung (Impulsion)
• Geraderichten (Straightness)
• Versammlung (Collection)


The Dressage Pyramid of Training or Scale of Training is a term you will often hear in the dressage world. It was developed from the German cavalry’s “Heeresdienstvorschrift H.Dv. 1912, 1937,” and the term “Skala der Ausbildung” (literally translated as “Training Scale”) started being used in the 1950s.

The manual outlined the principles and goals for the training of a horse. It provided a detailed training plan as guiding rules for training a military horse that is still used worldwide by riders and coaches. Also, as part of the judging foundation of dressage competitions, we know today and commonly referred to as the German Training Scale.

Today, these classic principles are applied to the present-day training of the dressage horse and used as a platform to illustrate the steps that are crucial to the correct training for the horse and rider from the young horse through to Grand Prix and international levels.

Each step can be developed at different stages depending on the horse. However, the scale is to be used as a reference for understanding the general progression and interactive development from the beginning of the training to assessing how the training is progressing.
None of the six elements of the training scale stands by itself. They all work together and interact and depend on one another. Each quality of training is systematically incorporated into the training of the horse.

There is a flow between the elements, and you have to be open to listening to your horse as to what needs to be considered next. The goal of training a horse is to reach the best possible level of throughness and obedience by teaching them to carry more weight in their hind legs as they move through the different levels of training.

Phase 1
Rhythm, relaxation and contact form the initial phase. In this part of the training, the horse is accustomed to the rider and his aids. This phase is used for the warm-up in daily work.
Phase 2
Relaxation, contact, impulsion and straightness serve in the development of driving power (thrust) of the hind legs. In this phase, the horse is asked to work more from behind and step diligently forward to the bit. This phase focuses on versatile gymnastic work to build horses’ flexibility and strength. When the horse is straight, it can use its back correctly and move more freely.
Phase 3
Impulsion, straightness and collection aim to develop the carrying power of the hind legs. The horse is supposed to bear more weight over his hindquarters, which is mandatory for true collection and elevation. Of which are necessary to reach higher goals in dressage training.