The Right Approach for Dressage
Oct 27th, 2009 by Carolyn Resnick Method
It looks like we might not be running the ‘In a Box’ Program this winter after all as the weather looks like it will be too cold for most people, so I may end up postponing the course till sometime late spring. If this happens, those who have prepaid will have their tuition fees returned.
This is Julia Felton’s last week with me as a working student. For people who live in the UK and would like to learn my Method from her, you can contact her at Julia@connect-thru-horses.com. So now I am looking for another person that would like the opportunity to be a working student with me. I have a great horse for you to learn how to train bridleless and to develop your dressage skills under saddle with my Method plus all my ground training at liberty. You should be aware though that there is no salary attached to this position and you will have to take care of your own living expenses but of course all the tuition is free! If you are interested in this position or for more information, please contact me at info@carolynresnick.com.
Recently Mark sent me a video of a horse in the warm up area for a dressage competition that was being severely abused by his rider. Take a look at the video at www.DressageDisgrace.com and see what you think.
I usually stay away from commenting on controversial subjects like this but in this instance I felt I must speak out. I would love to read your thoughts too on this and by writing your comments on the site there, you will also support the campaign. I think that with enough public interest, this kind of abuse can be stopped. As a contrast, I would also love to see pictures of riders demonstrating a centaur connection where holding firm or pulling on the reins is not necessary. I invented the Überstreichen exercises to create a light horse so that the style of riding you see in the video is not needed.
I would love to hear from you, any suggesting you might have for topics you would like me to cover on the blog or questions you might have regarding my Method of training. For example, if we do not run the ‘In a Box’ program, I thought it might be a good time to start writing about my Überstreichen exercises that you have all asked about. I have a new horse, Sonador, who has come in for advanced training and this would be an ideal opportunity for me to share with you his experiences with the Überstreichen exercises. Sonador is a highly trained Andalusian gelding and a National Champion English Pleasure horse.
National Champion English Pleasure Horse, Sonador
I will continue his education in dressage and exhibition work although I’m not looking to improve his performance in what he was trained to do. Instead, I want to add to it and help him become more comfortable in his own skin and enjoy his performance and he will never experience being trained in a double bridle. The Überstreichen exercises are designed to prepare a horse for the bridle. We first teach the horse to be ridden with lightness from a halter and then when the bit is used, the exchange will be without the need for pulling or needing a contact rein to intimidate the horse to stay round.
So as I start you on your journey with the Überstreichen exercises, no matter what form of riding you do, these basic exercises will help you to have a relaxed ride from the connection you are able to achieve through your rein aids, which will be a simple halter and lead. These exercises can be accomplished by anyone who has made a connection with their horse using the Waterhole Rituals. Or any horse that will walk at your side and stop when you stop walking without using the rope or halter to stop him. Or when you start walking he will automatically start walking with you without you having to pull him forward to get him started.
I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
Carolyn
No related posts.
I am looking forward to your sharing of the uberstreichen exercises. I also hope you will do a book and/or video outlining them. They sound WONDERFUL!!
I am somewhat new to this blog site, but truly love and appreciate beyond words Carolyn’s generous sharing of her learning. It is providing hope and change for both myself and my 25.5 yr mare. I am learning slowly from her DVDs and books and from this wonderful site (I print out and study every blog entry). I am truly grateful. I submitted a comment to the video clip site to help spread the word of Carolyn’s and other’s programs. We can make a difference by linking together in spirit (through this blog) and in our daily physical relationship actions with our horses. Where ever we are with our horses our new ways will be noticed and so add to the vibrational raising of the way horses are valued and treated on our Earth. Thank you Carolyn for heralding and leading us all to a true and better way.
Überstreichen exercises, Yeah!!! Can’t wait!
I’ve signed both petitions, posted them on my facebook page and on the Horse Council facebook page as well. Sent to all my horse contacts – 1 person at a time can make a change.
I am very interested in the Uberstreichen exercises. I am teaching my horses to yield at the poll having watched you do it in a dvd, and learned it at a Josh Nichol Clinic. So far we’re doing it at a halt and a walk with a halter and leadrope, just softening them there, not holding them and I would love to add some more progression or detail to the work. I do do some ttouch ala Linda Tellington-Jones and connected riding ala Peggy Cummings exercises to help them if they’re struggling and I am learning to do it from one side at a time on the ground with a rein attached to a side-pull as well so I get yield and then send them forward. I figure I’ll see some real change when we’re ready to work at a trot. Any help I could get from you on this would be much appreciated.
I pretty much threw my reins away years ago because I didn’t know how to ride with contact in a way that supported self carriage. I didn’t have any weight in the reins unless the horse initiated a movement that caused them to run into them like grabbing for grass or heading for home. Otherwise I just tried my best to stay off their heads and make sure I was half halting with breath and cueing with seat and hands first before adding pull or direct pressure as a last resort. For the last couple of years I haven’t been riding at all as I’ve been focusing on my groundwork and really learning to connect mindfully. I think I might be ready for riding and reins again. So your timing works for me.
Hallo everyone, Im from Denmark and I will start out with saying that Im am so ashamed that the kind of riding shown by Mr Patrik Kittel is being allowed here. I do not understand the FEI.
I have signed both petitions and I have emailed each and everyone of my horse contacts – I also posted the video on FaceBook with a request to froward.
I have also written and mailed a letter directly to Mr Kittel.
I contacted Ms Susan Kjærsgaard who took the initiative to a TV broadcast called LPS (all kinds of sports portrayed in a different angle) regarding horsetraining and rollkur. She is now more optimistic.
With regards to this great blog, Überstrechen exercises sounds GREAT !
) I look so much forward to hear much more from the two of you.
and please, Carolyn, could you post a big picture of Sonador. He is gorgeous
Dear Alessandra,
great to hear about you giving clinics in Europe!!!
I would be interested in anything in or close to Germany, Stuttgart.
Thank you and best regards!
Rebekka
Has anybody seen the youtube video of Anky defending Rolkur? She claims she does the hyperflexion for variance in her training and that she only uses it on the upper level, very strong horses, not on the young ones. Not that I agree with her methods at all – but I find it interesting to hear her justicification for what she does.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svOBsSdjUvU
Dear Andrea,
this morning Carolyn asked me to write to you because of your interest in learning her method. I have been working with Carolyn for the past three and a half years, learning her method and training horses applying it.
Last April I have given a clinic, in Rome, about Carolyn’s Method and I am planning on coming back in the summer to hold a couple more in Europe. I will keep you posted on the dates of these events, they will be held in Italian or in English depending upon the location.
For anyone else interested in those events, you can contact me through the blog.
Sincerely.
Alessandra Deerinck
Dear Andrea,
I have a certifed coach in my methods that does clinics in Italy. Her name is Alessandra Deerinck. She goes there once a year. I will tell you later how to reach her.
Dear Tina,
You are right. The differets between companion walking and leading from behind is that leading for behind you are activly direct the horses actions and with companion walking the horse is stuck to you matching your movements with out your influance.
It would be great to take the journey further Carolyn and I remember when you bought it up on one of your calls and I would appreciate learning more about, Überstreichen. It seems a natural progression and as you would realise it would be Zippin on this journey not Sakima who is still in kindgergarten.
I think it is so important that the ethics of certain dressage movements and practices are openly debated and quesitoned. Congratulations for posting this link and challenging such behaviuor. It confirmed for me what I find difficult to accept in the dressage world. There was nothing skillful or humane about the video.
hallo Carolyn,
always thank you for your wonderful blog and generous sharing of your methods and knowledge. I’m German but living in Italy. Also here there is still much violence against horses, ridden in the so-called “Butteri”- style (sort of Italian cowboys), tying their horses heads up. In the place where I keep my horse (a former race-horse), we have one horse that probably has been ridden in that style. Even if we leave his head completely free while riding him he shakes his head up and down in a violent manner, especially when you ask him to trot.
So I’m really looking forward to reading about your Ueberstreichen methods and hope that one day I’ll have enough money to come to the US to attend your courses. Or is there the possibility that you will come to Italy?
My very best wishes to you.
Andrea
I can strongly subscribe to all the comments. If our culture could teach young human beings that one simple thought: How would it be for me to be in the role of that horse ( or any other animal) to be treated like this? Would I like to be in the role of the horse I ride? Why do people loose empathic thinking in dealing with animals? Humankind stlll seems to think of itself as supreme and ‘above’ all other creatures. I believe we are just on the same level, only that our intelligences are different – not higher (rather lower if you watch the blue tongue clip).
There is a very informative dvd out there by Dr Heuschmann : ‘if horses could speak’. It explains the biomechanic anatomic aspects behind the rollkur in an objective critical manner.
I’d love to learn about the Ueberstreichen exercises.
I also have a question regarding the waterhole rituals: when I lead from behind I’m anywhere behind the horses drive line, that is his withers, right? When I do companion walking I’m slightly in front of his drive line? Did I observe this right, Carolyn?
Thank you so much for taking me on this wonderful journey and sharing with all of us what is so beneficial for our relationships to our beloved four legged companions! Tina
You know this whole dressage thing made me think of how all my life, even when I knew next to nothing about training, I would think if I saw a “questionable” training method/technique, “How would I feel if I were put in that position or held that way for that long” And if my answer was “ouch” It would probably hurt! It was cast out as a potential approach for me. I work with western and english and there are violators in all areas. Head tieing, Rollkur, Huge gnarly bits in bad hands. It goes on. I ask myself as an athlete, if I was being trained to move that way, would I like it? I wasn’t always as aware as I am now and I see more often then not we will find acceptable for other beings what we find acceptable for ourselves. A lot of athletes dope and train beyond there natural human capacities. We work unnaturally long hours and crazy schedules. It it only natural that those expectations are passed on to our animals. For the people who wondered how those “top” dressage professionals could do this…this is why in my opinion. They do it to themselves as well…this doesn’t make it right just shows a lack of awareness outside themselves and an eye on the prize attitude…The horse is seen merely as a vehicle..unfortunately for the horses they are put second. The show world needs a LOT of pressure to stand up and take notice! Many professionals will not speak out right now due to fear of political consequences. Such a shame…
Dear Miriam,
I am sure the Mark has this patition on Horse Conscious. I do not have this second patition. I would like to make a donation and I would hope my students would like to give a donation to this cause as well. I am so glad we have gotten so many people wanting to help make a change. If enough people support that this kind of dressage training is abusive it can be stopped and if we can stop this one thing we can then move on to a higer form of dressage.
Just like with the race horses being whipped over the finish line in front of the world to see and the world continues to support the whipping of race horses. Of course there are things that are more grose but this subject is and important stand because of the impact it can make to the evolution of the show world. I love arts and creativity with horses as an art and I see dressage should support a higher princable of horsemanship.
Dressage sets the standards in what is not abusive for alot of equestrian and if this can be turned around it will make a big change world wide and a large step in evolution in ethical princables in the schooling and riding of horses. What we need to continue to speak out and to also point out that to use strong devises like nose bands the way they are being tightened down are abusive to the horse. If a horse can not preform the FEI movements with out these devises and methods the horse should not ever be asked to preform them. This is the evolution of true horsemanship.
“Non- violence leads to the higest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.”
Thomas A. Edison
I have posted this with out being edited but it could not be helped. When I write I can not see my mistakes so please excuse my mistakes. Spell check does not work in the comments section.
Hi,
I am glad that action is being taken against this method!
I have recently forwarded two petitions, I will try to post them here for everyone to be able to sign them if they wish.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/5803066
I could find only one, perhaps Carolyn still has it?
Thank you
Miriam
Carolyn,
‘Thank you for taking a stand regarding the exposed treatment of the horse in the video and for all the others who may suffer from such treatment. I also thank Mark for letting us know about it along with the brave station who did the filming. We can all vote with our voices and prayers. On my own personal journey with my horse guides, I am continually evolving from their input about what should define the human/equine relationship. They are such forgiving souls whom constantly amaze me by their brilliance. Everyday is a gift in their presence. I encourage others to follow in your footsteps and speak-up or be visual examples of kindness when faced with such cruelty to any species.
Dear Carolyn,
This morning I only had time to read the first part of your blog. I can’t even think about Uberstreichen anything untill I learn the WHR. I have saved for a year and waited for a fall class. Why cancel if your part is only on “line” and weather should play no part. PLEASE don’t
cancel. Blessings
Thank you for posting the dressage torture video link here on the blog so many people can see it and learn what dressage is and what it is not.
Please take time to get active, write on your facebooks, publish the link to this dressage horror, write to FEI and discuss and show to your horse friends.
You could also write to EPONA TVs Julie and Louise and thank them for once again for daring to make such video clips and publish them, earlier in June this year they had another shocking and eye opening video called “Shall children learn to beat on horses?” They had filmed a children and
I am sure Julie and Louise will need all the support they can get as someone is already trying to get that video off the YouTube.
How bad is bad for modern dressage?
Speak up and do something, it feels really good!
All the best from over here in the Caribbean to all of you in the classroom!
Its nice and warm here, so if you need some heat and inspiration, just come on down for some vitamine D from the heartwarming sun!
Did anyone see how the guy defended himself when he was questioned?
http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blogs/patrik-kittel-interview
He said it was all edited. Well if you look at the film, you see that it’s one long shot without cuts.
Marja, I read that too, it’s on horses.nl, actually. People are so used to seeing rollkur that they don’t longer see the abuse. It’s funny that when you bring non horse people to a show, they can see it immediately. Experience makes blind, so to speak.
I really want to learn more about these Überstreichen-exercises!
I was just wondering if it`s a good way of teaching young horses to accept and understand the purpose of the bridle? I don`t really wanna use bit on my horse in the future, just the opportunity. My horse is still a baby, but could you use these exercises to help her find her form and carry herself in a good way?
Yes, I’m looking forward to the journey of the Überstreichen exercises as well!
Concerning the Rollkur … here in Germany, Gerd Heuschmann is doing a great job speaking up. Also Philippe Karl, who wrote an open letter to the FN, Germany. He mentioned e.g. about nosebands … it’s a must to use them in any public competition in Germany.
WHY???
OK, Carolyn, you asked for further suggestions. I recently wonder a lot about balancing a horse or doing proper gymnastics, thereby making him comfortable with his movements. Is there anything you could share on the blog concerning this? Thankyou!
Dear Carolyn,
My heart was singing, I made arangement at work to take the time off. Know I am so sad. The weather here is not too cold! If you wait till the spring it will be too HOT.I live in Florida, my childeren are in school. What a better time then now to spend hours of time with my horse. Isn’t there some thing I could do to still take your cource? Abundant Blessings Debi
Being a beginner rider and horse owner I read the blog and responses with great interest. I’ve just finished the book Naked Liberty and have the Waterhole Rituals DVD on order. My horse and I have begun enjoying time together each day sharing his paddock (obviously a new experience for him) and he’s learning to respect my space. This afternoon for the first time, I decided to lead from behind. I thought there was a good chance he would ignore me, lay the ears back or even get aggressive but he did exactly as I asked. Amazing. And tomorrow is another day for us both to learn something else. I look forward to the Überstreichen exercises. Thank you Carolyn.
Yes, I’d really like to learn about the Überstreichen’s
!
As to the horrific video: it pops up everywhere at the moment; yesterday I saw it for the first time on the Dutch Icelandic horses forum. What actually worried me the most in the reactions on that forum, was that some people defend this method as if it weren’t so horse-unfriendly as everyone says. So even among Icelandic horse riders there are some people who are already brain-washed and convinced of the ‘value’ of the rollkur, just by thinking that world champions are right and doing everything in the best interest of the horse, just because they are champions….. This terrifies me because it proves that people just follow gurus and aren’t able to think and FEEL for themselves anymore…
Yes please Carolyn, That would be really great.
Anything I can learn that helps me evolve toward becoming the person my horse is eager to have ride him, in a connected partnership, bitless and tack-free, is at the top of my list of things to learn. If the Uberstreichens are a step along that path, I’m in!
I have been working with the first few Uberstreichens but there are 16! So i haven’t got through all of them. What I have done has helped both my horses. I wanted to get you some video footage soon…
With regard to the video, the only thing sadder than this horses’ suffering is that only one person complained to the steward!
Thank you Carolyn for including this in your blog. And yes to your proposal on the Uberstreichen exercises.
The Blue Tongue video is beyond sad to me. The rider is Patrik Kittel. About the only thing he could say when asked by the media was “Talk to my attorney”. The man cannot even defend what he does, himself. I have to wonder what has gotten into the Dutch competitors.
I have never ridden with a double bridle myself nor do I believe in Rolkur or any kind of a forced frame. If a horse’s top line is released by gymnastics and looseness there is no need to force a frame. I do ride in a Dr. Bristol bit and ride with very light soft hands. I have ridden in a Bitless Bridle as well. I don’t really have an opinion on them and I didn’t notice much of a difference in my horse.
I see the bit as a tool of communication but when I see riders like Patrik Kittel and all the other Rolkur followers, the bit becomes a device of torture, the horse has no choice in the matter. You gotta wonder how they can see themselves as winners when it is such a hollow victory.
Carolyn
It would be wonderful if you could share your exercises with us!!
This Rolkur is so very real in every state dressage show I have attended. We have Anky to thank as she practices this type of riding.
This video is not as extreme as I have seen, very sad indeed.
Would love to be working student…maybe in the next few years when my children are older!!!!! hopefully you will still be taking on a few yearly.
This was so heartbreaking and horrific. I actually saw a recently published book supposedly writing about modern breakthroughs in riding etc and a whole chapter was devoted to defendng this type of thing as acceptable. This book is carried by major equestrian booksellers and catalogs. I cannot remember the name of the trash since I removed it from my home immediatly and demanded my money back. They shold not profit from abuse.
I strongly believe that the FEI steward who refused to act on the complaint be relieved of his or her job and held accountable as well. I also believe this riders name should be published and bring the faces of the offenders into the daylight.
Yes to learning about the Uberstreichen exercises.
I know this video will have people putting down dressage, but it is not only dressage that is at fault. I believe it is the whole culture around showing and competition that begins to erode the thinking of otherwise caring people. They get so worked up about winning, and gaining a sense of self esteem from the competition, that they lose sight of the horse that should be an equal partner.
We need to be careful about how we approach these things, not adding to the confrontation, but being sure within ourselves and setting an example of how things can be. The more we work with your methods, Carolyn, the more we will be at peace within ourselves, and able to meet these challenges in a charismatic manner that people want to follow, not defend against.
And I send out my prayers to all of the horses out there who are giving of themselves to help make this shift happen, because it is happening, and we are at the forefront.
Dear Carolyn,
thank you for making the point about not using the double bridle on Sonador. Now i don’t want this to become a discussion about bits or no bits, and I am certainly aware that riding with a bit does not need to be abusive to the horse, but I am wondering what the use of these things is. “refinement” is what you frequently hear. But you and I know that refinement is perfectly possible without bits. And it’s not the bit that makes the horse round. You can ride in a rope halter, or even bridleless, and have a refined system of communication with the horse. In fact, it seems more refined to me, needs to be more refined, the less tack and stuff you use because you got nothing to yank on. your horse needs to be in tune with your aids and want to understand and follow them…. It stands to reason that the more refinement you achieve with your horse, the less stuff is necessary to communicate. I fail to understand how a double bridle, with two bits, can be the expression of more refinement than a simple snaffle. Is it just that you don’t see the yanking so clearly when someone rides with a curb bit. It *looks* refined, les brutal, but is actually more brutal. To get that horse’s tongue blue or his mouth bloody, the Danish rider would have made more of a spectacle of himself with a snaffle than with a double bridle. That’s for sure.
And it’s a bit like the gun argument. The problem with the damn things is that if you have one, you are more likely to use it when there is a dubious situation. People who don’t have a gun in their drawer aren’t going to use it. If you do loose balance or if the horse has a big spook, or if you do get carried away in the direction of wanting more flexion from the horse than they are currently offering of their free will, isn’t it likely that you will use that bit in a less than refined and friendly manner? We tie their mouths shut with nose bands and curb chains so they can’t get away from the pressure. It’s like when you say, Carolyn, working with a horse with tack on is like tying up a person to a chair with duck tape around their mouth and asking: what do you think. Only without tack will we get their honest opinion. That’s why we work at liberty. My point is: less tack, more refinement. If that rider at the worldcup didn’t have a double bridle on that horse, he would probably be sitting in the sand if he was that rude and abusive to a high-spirited athletic horse like that. Any horse has the means to put us on the ground if they want us there. That horse had plenty of reason to want the rider on the ground, and with less tack, he would have had a chance.
And yes, please please please, we want to learn the Ueberstreichen excercises. Lilly and I are delving into more dressage work now, and would benefit so greatly…..
Always in gratefulness,
Christian
What is wrong with these callous and insensitive riders?
Don’t they realize that they are riding a real, living, breathing being with many feelings which are similar to ours…pain, fear, sadness, anger.
We should feel humbled that such a proud and beautiful animal will allow us to sit on it’s back, which in turn allows us to pretend to be more than we actually are, but instead we see this type of abuse of one of God’s most gentle creatures.
I see this abuse and I’m disgusted and ashamed of where this sport is going in the name of competition. I used to watch in awe at the champions of this sport. Now I cringe! It’s time the big-time media got a hold of this and certainly the sponsors.
Put an end to this torture NOW! at any cost.
I was sent ther ‘blue tongue’ clip a week ago. I just found myself feeling really sad and tearful and wondering where it all went wrong. I asked myself: ‘Who is going to be their voice?’ I think once people are educated into understanding that this is in fact a form of abuse – not ‘poetry in motion’, people simply won’t accept it or want to see rokur anymore. There are many traditional paintings done of horses at war, or placed on the grounds of grand estates and in many of these paintings (sorry i don’t have an example) the neck is bent to an unatural degree, or the fleeing horse has it’s mouth wide open and fooaming with ears flat back. This i believe has taken on an unatural symbolic picture of power, speed and yet somehow still beautiful. So to an inexperienced eye, the image may be quite pleasing, rather exciting.
Also, i believe many judges of dressage need to stop marking up for such practices. This is not something i can comment on with any experience as i have never been in the world of dressage. But common sense tells me if the criterian changes, then people won’t be training and riding horses in that way??
Education, education, education (i sound like a certain English MP!)
Also, as the ages move on, we are coming into an era, especially in the last 20-30 years, where much more reserach has taken place on the biomechanics, physiology and ofcourse psychology of horses. I think there is more scientific back up then there ever has been to prove the damage that can be done to a horse in all 3 of these areas. I know studies have been done, but we need more.
I think even just talking to people you know can help. I have friends who were ‘seduced’ into thinking a very bad demonstration of dressage was good. When i took the time to explain in a freindly non-judgemental way my own personal problems with the demo, they begun to see where i was coming from. I then pointed them in the direction of KLaus and his therories on certain types of dressage. Funnily enough, since then, they have been riding their family pony bitless. I’m sure this has a wider knock on effect…everything has to start in your own back yard.
So all in all, we ARE the voices for horses. And i truely believe that the world will be better for them if everyone keeps speaking up with all our new found knowledge and practices of horsemanship, CR method included!
I’m sure dressage can be beautiful and would like to see the horse in motion in a real sense…one thing i notice is a lot of is tail swishing, that to me is a sign of a horse that isn’t experiencing freedom in it’s own body. And of course, dressage should ultimately be about freedom. We just need to reascess how people actually view this word in relation to horses.
Can these exercises be used to help a horse move correctly and athletically while on the ground and while driving? In other words, could I use them while driving some minis in a cart?
They should also do something about the “western and english pleasure” horses in the quarter horse world, arabian world, paint horse, etc….it’s horrible what they now promote as the proper head positions for these horses…..dragging their heads down with draw reins and gag bits with their noses practically between their front legs…who could think that is pretty??? I don’t get it…
Hooray for Carolyn training with a halter – and promoting for a natural and balanced style of riding…
Again, we must remember – these beautiful creatures are first and formost our friends….they depend on us for all their needs…….to me that includes emotional as well as physical.
Please Carolyn share with us your training method starting with riding with the halter.
What do you think about the bitless bridles? I understand they are being accepted now in quite a few of the organizations.
Carolyn,
I too am interested in learning the Überstreichen exercises. I have a horse I recently began to ride after two years of ground work and lots of “hanging out” together. He is a very curious and playful horse, and likes to be kept busy. He is very soft in his bit, and also in the halter. He has been under saddle just over 60 days now, and is very willing when I ask for any type of movement. He seems to be self collected and loves the suppling exercises we do. Anything to keep him busy and happy would be a bonus. Most times, he runs to me when I show up at the barn. The times he does not, he lets out a big whinny and waits for me to go to him and then walks back with me. I’m looking forward to learning something new.
P.S. Anne, thank you for the link petitioning the FEI. I have signed and sent off.
I received an email from Jenny Rolfe who wrote the book Riding From the Heart- excellent by the way- and her husband, Barrie. They are more than upset with the Epona tape, that is now called the Blue Tongue world cup.
They urge people to sign the petition directed at the FEI to stop all Rolkur in the practice rings. They have fought this for the last 10 years.
Not only does this destroy the physical and emotional/mental health of the horse but it destroys his dignity. Hempfling calls these forced means -”instruments of torture” and Dr. Gerd Heurschman who wrote another great book Tug of War has been very vocal.
If any of you are inclined to agree here is the site to the petition. You don’t have to donate, you can just sign.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/antiHF/index.html
I have signed and sent it off to friends.
Thanks for speaking about and bringing to light the rollkur.
It is a real challenge for me personally to find the right way to speak up for the
horses. I have come across some very disturbing training methods at events such as Extreme Mustang Makeover and struggle to speak to this effectively.
May more and more horses find people who use methods like the WHR to maintain their dignity.
Carolyn – Learning how to do your Überstreichen exercises would be fantastic! Would love it if you would share your experiences as you start the new horse.