Whether you are planning your first visit, looking for advice on dressage training, or wondering which stage fits your level, this page points you to the right place. Browse the sections below or contact the estate office directly.
Whether you are planning a visit, have a question about our dressage stages, or want to know more about the young horses in training, the team at Haras du Prélude is here to guide you. Reach out by phone or email, or stop by the stables during visiting hours.
Straight answers about what we offer, what we do not, and how our programs actually work.
Stages are split by experience, not by age. A first-time rider starts with groundwork and basic mounted work on a calm schoolmaster. Riders who already canter comfortably move to suppling exercises and lateral work. If you are unsure where you fit, send us a short note about your riding history and we will place you in the right group.
Yes, but only a limited number at a time. Each horse stays for a minimum of eight weeks so the work can be built gradually. Before we accept a horse, we ask for a short video of it moving on a lunge line and under saddle, plus a vet reference. This keeps the yard calm and the training consistent.
Guided visits run on Saturday mornings from April to October. You walk through the stables, see the foals in the paddocks, and watch a short lunging demonstration. Visits are limited to twelve people and must be booked in advance through the contact page. There is no charge, but a donation box supports the young horse program.
It means we train the horse through clear, progressive steps: rhythm, relaxation, connection, then collection. We do not use gadgets, forced frames, or quick fixes. The horse is worked from the ground first, then under saddle, always at a pace that suits its age and physical development. The goal is a horse that carries itself willingly and stays sound for years.
Yes. We run a separate track for young riders aged eight to fourteen, focused on safe handling, grooming, and basic riding on lead or lunge. Beginners over fourteen join the adult groundwork group for the first two sessions before moving to mounted work. Everyone starts where they are, and no one is pushed beyond their comfort level.
Straight answers about lessons, stable visits, and what to bring before you arrive at the domaine.
No. Most of our stages pair you with a school horse suited to your level. If you prefer to ride your own horse, let us know when booking so we can plan the right paddock and stall space.
The demonstrations are open to everyone, including complete beginners. The working-horse sessions are more technical, so we suggest at least a year of regular riding before joining those.
Yes. Guided visits run on weekday mornings and cover the breeding barn, the young-horse paddocks, and the tack room. You will see how we handle daily care and feeding without interrupting the training schedule.
Long trousers, sturdy boots with a small heel, and gloves. A helmet is required for any mounted work, and we have loaner helmets if you do not own one yet.
Summer stages fill about six weeks ahead. Spring and autumn sessions usually have places two weeks before the start date. For private lessons, booking three to four days ahead is enough.
We accept a limited number of horses for young-horse starting and for retraining after time off. Each case starts with a short assessment ride so we can confirm the horse is a good fit for our programme.