Horses for Life

JULY 2006 • VOLUME 11 • ©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?

Comments

rollkur
Written by tiberius on 2006-07-03 07:59:26

As a scientist I am very interested in the scientific literature upon the subject of rollkur. However, it doesnt take a PhD to see that the existing literature is fundamentally flawed with redundant control groups and that the x-raying of a couple of horses does not prove that rollkur is harmless. However, who would fund and who would participate in an unbiased study regarding this subject?
As a horse owner I am disgusted that a professional body can pander this way to their more successful competitors, thinking they can do no wrong. Mind you, you only have to look at the latest FEI approved bridle to see that harmony is not something they seem to believe in.
I have a young lusitano-he will never be required to work in such a way and although I originally wished to compete I now have no desire to-we have a partnership and it will always be that way.
Unfortunately I feel nothing will be resolved until people admit that rollkur is NOT being used fleetingly but instead is being used to facilitate learned helplessness and is tantamount to abuse.
Dr F Nunn

Saumur video
Written by christuris on 2006-07-03 15:54:51

This film brought tears to my eyes, from laughter, from the beauty of the horses, most especially the passaging horses along the fields and the pesading towards the end. What a coup to have acquired this wonderful and entertaining video!

Kudos to you, Nadja -- what a fabulous magazine!

Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado

Rollkur
Written by kharakterc on 2006-07-06 19:32:49

I had thought that the "dressage world" had acheived new lows last month. However, the FEI has really stepped up to the plate with their latest proclaimation that Rollkur is in fact beneficial.
I think many of us entered the sport of dressage believing that humane progressive training was the essence of dressage, that dressage was different from most sports in that no cruel tools or barbaric methods were used, and finally that all breeds of horses are welcomed.
Well, I guess I was naive. Not all breeds are welcomed, training methods are not always humane and there are some downright cruel methods (Rollkur).
This comes at a time when I waiver in my commitment to showing etc...I have decided to continue on with my little Arabian ballerina, but to stay out of the showring, and progress together slowly and enjoyably. I am also increasing my participation in some natural horsemanship exercises to increase my communication with the horse that has stolen my heart. Thanks always for this wonderful forum because it is nice to know there are kindred spirits.

L. Carpe
Apple Valley, Ca

Written by EnlightenedUK on 2006-07-07 07:42:17

"As you can see from that report, the scientific evidence shows that practiced by experienced riders, as is the case with FEI events, Rollkür is not only harmless but in some cases beneficial.
The FEI takes an extremely strong stand on all welfare issues and does so every day throughout its eight disciplines."

Words fail me. How can the FEI state in one sentence that rolkur can be beneficial, and then in the next, pronounce that it takes an extremely strong stand on all welfare issues?

IT is a total copout, an absolute disgrace, and proof that the FEI is on the side of the rider, and NOT the horse. This is the sort of 'spin' used by political parties to try to mollify an outraged electorate, but it wont wash with the horse loving public, who can at least, see further than the end of their nose- which is more than can be said for the unfortunate animal forced into rolkur.

Written by dlrcat on 2006-07-10 00:55:05

Let them (FEI) experience - physically - it themselves, and then see what the reaction is. Are they nuts? former dressage competitor.

Dressage Competitor/ Trainer
Written by snhodges on 2006-07-15 10:26:34

It is just such a shame that the "pliable" warmbloods do not wear a little more of their heart on their sleeve like the "fractious"thoroughbreds, they would soon see that some things are too, seen by the horse as cruel, unfair and unjust. I certainly hope that my new warmblood 3yo (though unfairly already had an unjust "breaking in") shares a little more of herself to me as we develop a partenership, after all what is communication if you cannot talk to your friend!

Rollkur
Written by xenophonma on 2006-07-21 22:06:56

I am truly saddened by this rollkur debate. Humanity is on a downward trend, spiralling ever more quickly to inhumanity. Research all you want, but really the empirical evidence is all you need to see what a terrible thing this rollkur is to the horse. Look in his eyes and then search within yourselves for the answer. I am truly appalled at the travesty this sport has become, but, even more than that, I feel the horses' pain and wonder at the lack of people's humanity.

Rollkur
Written by xenophonma on 2006-07-21 22:08:40

Very Sad
Written by Parmy on 2006-07-22 21:09:18

Not nice to look at!!!!!

What happened to dressage and science to
Written by classicalhorsewoman on 2006-07-30 02:19:05

I am appalled by the FEI's stance on rollkur. Can they not read their own report? They are continually pointing to the "study" in which 7 pleasure horses were compared to a couple of the top rollkur trained horses as irrefutable proof that this training method is not harmful. Yet these numbers are not large enough to provide any statistically significant evidence. Secondly, it was not stated how these pleasure horses were trained. In my experience as a trainer I can safely say that many methods are used to train pleasure horses, not all of which are beneficial to the horse. Finally, it was not stated who rode these horses; amateur riders frequently cause the horse stress and physical discomfort due to weak position and poor timing of the aids, they cannot be compared to FEI riders. This "study" is a disgrace to the scientific community. I don't understand how the FEI can say they take a strong stance on animal welfare when they base their opinions on this pseudoscience. They also went so far as to blow the results of quality research grossly out of proportion, implying that the results were more conclusive than they were.

It disgusts me what competitive dressage has become. I have had the misfortune of re-training numerous hyperflexed horses. Most of them are a physical and mental wreck. Most of them buck, rear, spook incessantly, fear humans and bolt uncontrollably with their chin on their chest on a loose rein. Some of them flip over backwards if the rider so much as touches the reins.

This dangerous trend needs to be stopped now, not only for the horses' welfare but for the safety of riders and trainers. Apparently these rollkur trainers are devoid of any moral code as they don't seem to care if one of their horses kills someone, as long as they can keep scraping in the ribbons and stuffing their pocketbooks.

It's a shame
Written by sandrine on 2006-08-16 21:05:37

No more word just one : it's a shame.
How can a rider use this "method" ? How can a rider sleep at nigth ? How can a rider treat his horse, his partner like that ?

It's a shame...

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Subscribe to HORSES For LIFE™ Online Magazine
for full access to THIS and ALL PAST ISSUES!!!

For the Instructor, For the Rider, For the Horse.
Horses For LIFE - International Magazine.

Enjoy the free articles in every issue available for Registered Members! Registration is FREE! Look for the asterisk * that denotes Free Articles!

[ Back ]