JP Giacomini, from the Equus Academy site
Jean Philippe (JP) Giacomini is an internationally recognized teacher, training, author and coach. His latest project is Equus Academy, an educational subscription website dedicated to teaching the classic principles of horsemanship.
Among his many training accomplishments, JP is also an innovator. He developed a method for cultivating improved relaxation and movement through a percussive massage technique called “Endotapping”.
I experimented a bit, about 10 years ago, with JPs endotapping technique. At the time I found it “interesting” but put it on a back burner for lack of real certainty about what to do with [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...]
I’m really glad that this incident is causing quite a stir. Here in Tennessee we’re all too familiar with the abuse taking place within the ‘big lick’ Tennessee Walker community. We’d like to think that Dressage riding would somehow be ‘above’ that. But, not so.
For some years now, it is scary to think of the parallels to what happened to the TWH, certain individuals in high level international competition have been advocating for ‘hyperflexing’ the horse’s neck during training. This was purportedly to further enhance the super bred horse’s already extravagant movement. Unfortunately, the reality [more...]
Another video rental. This one features the work of Jim Masterson. In this video he demonstrates the Masterson Method for Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork which he developed.
Like a lot of people I’ve watched horses getting massage therapy numerous times. I’ve read some books too. Sure, I’d rub on my horses but I had no illusion of thinking anything I did was actually beneficial from a massage point of view. How was I to know what area should be worked on? Or, for how long? No idea!!
Anyway, what I loved about this [more...]
You have to watch this. Make sure to watch all the way through. It just gets more impressive!
OK I’ll be honest!! I can’t stand watching the little dance of line up horse to mounting block, he moves as soon as rider starts to get on block, so rider stops getting on and repositions the horse, and the whole thing starts over again ad infinitum. Good grief it doesn’t need to be like that.
Here’s the thing. If a person is unable to change this situation in a few sessions then what it tells me is one or both of the following: a serious lack of ideas when it comes to actually TRAINING (not just hoping [more...]
I have been working for the last couple/few months with a 6 yr old gaited mare named Pamela. The mare is owned by a lovely, but mostly inexperienced, older couple who are so tickled with the change in their horse. When we started this mare was so not OK. The slightest sudden move would have her leaving just as quick. Even though this mare had been ridden before (in fact had been a ’show horse’) it was full of tension and worry. As soon as the rider mounted the mare was… outta there. The [more...]
Just the way top ballet dancers practice and take class at the barre, longe lessons are for everyone. Longe lessons are a great way to discover those little things we do that get in the way of the horse so we can eliminate them. My approach to advanced rider longe lessons is to challenge the rider in creative ways that result in the rider discovering within him/herself the balance and suppleness needed to ride effectively. It is all about being able to access and control one’s own body parts so that which leads to the possibility of influencing [more...]
