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In no part of the Rules did we find any support for low, deep, round, curled necks, c2c (Chin to Chest) as being acceptable training. In a Rules book concerned with the Health and Welfare of the horse, such postures are nonexistent - they represent what is unacceptable in the show ring and warm-ups. Yet, the FEI has now condoned such a posture, going as far as labeling it “harmonious”. In doing so, the FEI is taking a dangerous step down a slippery slope.

Many instructors instruct the riders under their tutelege to use MORE leg to activate the horse that is seen to lose energy on every corner, whereas in actual fact the real problem lies within the original aid.

5.” …the head should remain in a steady position, as a rule slightly in front of the vertical, with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck…” But what really happens in the show ring today?

Serious considerations of what our horses need from us to correctly warm-up for the performance arena.

I had lost the game, and I knew it. Furthermore, so did every other horse in the barn, not to mention those schnarky little donkeys in the front pasture, Tortilla, Salsa and Taco. Donkeys I called my friends. Horses I called my friends. And they were all laughing at me.

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