Horses for LIFE Publications

March 2008 • VOLUME 31 • © HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine

Tell us what you think about this issue!

Are you outraged by the FEI's leap that rollkur is "good" for the horses?

What makes a horses beautiful to you? What words would you use to inspire others in their riding?

Add your voice to others and together we all get heard.

Comments

Written by julie keys on 2008-04-02 20:29:01

"It's all money honey" is the only reason I can see for using Rolkur it is so disgustingly ugly and cannot possibly be good for horses, how can it be? People who use it either do so because all they want to do is win, or possibly could it be they are really scared of their horses and it is the only way they can control them as they are too ignorant to learn a better way. I also find it inconceivable that the FEI has dropped "relaxation " from the scales of training, is this really true or is it an April Fool's day joke? All I know is, if I am training in the gym and I am relaxed I can ask of my muscles a little more but if I am tense, forget it, this is the same for horses. We must all keep on keeping on to make this rolkur socially unacceptable.

horses as beautiful
Written by harmonyvl on 2008-04-03 19:26:45

The beauty of a horse is in its natural spirit. Watch how they are naturally, left alone in the field, with or without other horse buddies. Watch how they move. One of the most beautiful moments I remember with my horse was when I went to get her out of the field and she did not want to be caught just yet. Instead, she impishly raised her head and took off past me at a spirited trot, at one point doing an "extended" trot, and the sight of that was awe inspiring. Her movement, her natural grace, her beauty in her own natural movement was something I will never forget. I didn't care that she left me standing there...I would watch her do that again and again just to enjoy the sight of her! It was worth it! Something I have learned...when I get it right in my own mind first, the horse does 'what I ask' perfectly. I think the training is for me!

Michelle Guillot Super Prix
Written by pine on 2008-04-04 00:17:19

Michelle,
Thank you so much for your article! Besides causing one to laugh its head off, it offers an abundance of points to reflect on, from the idea of making a competetive sport out of training an animal, to the misinformation and ignorance of the "sponsors" it collects along the way. Maybe you can send it to those who are playing a decisive role on the decisions made on Dressage today..

What makes horses beautiful?
Written by Verna on 2008-04-04 01:38:37

I think it's their mysteriousness. They have this eiry all-knowing side and yet a pure innocence. They are free and independent spirits and yet so very dependent upon us. They could stomp all over us but they instead carry us and lift OUR spirits. We can walk away from them but they remain with us always. This is their beauty to me....this mystery about them.

Mi Hermoso by Lisah
Written by lindajoy on 2008-04-05 14:46:16

Thank you for the ride Lisah...your poetry expresses perfectly the passion and entwinement of the horse and rider. This is the ultimate ride, and the memory of past rides that is not read but felt as a knowing and an experience we have all had with our horses. What a wonderful ride you took me on sitting at my computer in the damp and chill of the westcoast spring!

Thank you!
Written by lisah on 2008-04-05 17:27:43

Thank you both so much for the sweet comments. I agree, horses are a true passion of mind, body and spirit. I am delighted that my art and writing makes people feel that. To me, that's what it's all about! Thank you Nadja for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful magazine. Bravo! Lisah

Written by medievalhorse on 2008-04-09 00:50:44

As an equine veterinarian, I cannot see how rollkur could possibly be good for the horse. These horses are clearly tense, and I can only see it as a short cut for the trainer and torture for the horse. After many years of competing, I've stayed away from dressage shows, since I'm sickened by what I see. Too much emphasis is placed on year end awards and not enough on the good of the horse. If rollkur and modern methods were good for horses, we'd see them sound and performing well into their twenties, as the stallions of the Spanish Riding School do. If constant joint injections, shock wave treatments, and poulticing with tight wraps daily are necessary to keep the horse in the ring, something is very wrong. Likewise, how can the FEI allow crank nosebands? Clearly, if the mouth must be straped closed, the horse has not accepted the bit, and the rider has completely missed the point.
I'm lucky enough to own an FEI level horse, and the beauty of riding a willing piaffe is too wonderful to express. For what it's worth, we school in a rubber mullen mouth snaffle, and sidesaddle at that! He has a mouth like velvet, and I stive to keep it that way.

Thank you for your e-zine. It's very refreshing.

worried eyes
Written by ocotillo on 2008-04-18 14:46:30

I am quite new to the horse world....through my work with them over the last year at the track and as a massage therapist I have been so saddened by the forceful tack used on these beautiful creatures.....and now I'm taking lessons as well and I understand just how sensitive they are!!!.....spurs are another thing that I see as an aid for a lazy rider.......using forceful tack as in those photos creates an incredible amount of tension to the poll...which radiates through the whole horse over time........horses in pain are not happy horses......and using ever more forceful tack .......well imagine!!!!

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