Anybody remember the old Dressage & CT magazine? It’s been defunct for years–a fact that is very unfortunate. It was a magazine that marched to its own drummer and included articles about such controversial topics as French lightness and how to train the Spanish Walk. I miss that magazine, I learned so much from it.
Making a good effort to fill the gap in support of classical dressage is an online magazine called “Horses for Life”. The recent Blue Tongue controversy gave the magazine a platform to show their stuff. They launched a campaign to support Dr. Gerd Heuschmann by giving [more...]
I just watched this DVD. I really enjoyed it! I didn’t learn anything earth-shatteringly new because I’m already on the positive-reinforcement-works bandwagon. However, it was a delight and inspiration to see and hear of someone who trains horses to an advanced level insist that gentle positive methods are best. So, on that alone I can recommend it.
The video isn’t really a how-to program. Instead, a variety of topics on how to inspire horses in the most effective manner are discussed and illustrated with him as well as his pupils working a wide variety of horses [more...]
Much of my appreciation for classical dressage training comes from my lessons with Karl Mikolka. One of the (many) things I remember him saying (probably while my horse was having a fit) was, “the horse is allowed to say NO!” I’m not saying that fits are desirable! Of course, what we’d prefer is a resounding YES. But if you want to be more than ‘just’ a rider you need to be willing to listen to the horse and if he says No then you need to accept responsibility for that feedback. Then you [more...]
Those who have hung around me for some time will know that I’m very fond of saying, “If the horse knew what I wanted and believed he was able to do it, he’d BE doing it.” I used to say “…and was able to do it…” but people would just say that they knew a horse who knew very well thank you very much what they wanted and simply didn’t WANT to comply. So, I adjusted the phrase to include the word “believe” because it is my opinion that those horses who “don’t want to” usually have something else on [more...]
A few weeks ago I wrote about a mare I’ve been working with. I’d only had a handful of sessions with her at that time. We’ve since had a few more sessions together. Each time the mare has improved dramatically. I just love seeing these kinds of transformations. When we first started the mare, Cheyenne, was very distant. Mentally, her thoughts were so back with her buddies. As you may recall, the first time with her in the round pen was spent mainly with her wanting to hang out in one part of [more...]
On the DressageDisgrace.com site there is a discussion about some videos which have been posted as representatives of the ‘right way’ to do dressage. The idea is to identify riders who are not using rollkur as a regular part of their training program and support them. Interestingly, one of the videos posted was of a rider who has taken a stand against rollkur. YET, the horse still showed signs of the same disconnection seen in the rollkured horses. What gives?
This is my theory. What really is the difference between “deep and round” and “hyperflexion”? [more...]
Gerd Heuschmann is a German veterinarian who is also a dressage rider. After years of seeing the damage inflicted on horses as a result if incorrect riding he began to change his own riding methods and starting ‘treating’ horses by first asking owners to change the way they ride. He does clinics around the world now helping people to help horses become more supple and move more freely.
A member of the Ultimate Dressage forum posted her notes from a recent symposium. Let me just say that I agree 100% with everything he says.
Check out the full report [more...]
No, it isn’t going away and that is a good thing. On Sunday, the folks at DressageDisgrace.com hosted a teleseminar with Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling to talk about the history of rollkur and how it has lead to the death of the spirit of the horse. This was a live event but it was recorded so if you want to listen just go to the DressageDisgrace.com site.
While there you can sign up to get updates on what is happening with regard to the rollkur issue. Speaking of what is happening, the FEI recently made a Statement on horse welfare. Read it [more...]
Right now, I don’t know if I’m inspired or just plain envious. Lovely horses, ridden beautifully. This was an interesting video because it begins with a rider on a 3 year old horse who had just been ridden a few times. The horse is calm and relaxed and quite frankly looking “like a million bucks”. Clearly not the average 3 year old! So that is the envy part.
Part of me questioned asking ’so much’ of such a youngster. Was the neck too shortened? But the proof is in the pudding. The video continues showing the same horse a couple months [more...]
I know I’ve been hot on this topic but it is an important one! A petition which will be presented to the FEI has been started. I urge all who care about horses to SIGN IT.
Just found out there are multiple petitions! Here’s another.
It’s easy. It’s free! I signed both.
