May 2007 • VOLUME 21 • © HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine

Dana Green, concerned with an article on rollkur in British Horse, the BHS magazine, writes in to give her concerned viewpoint. With her background and training she brings up a very good point about the stretching abilities of ligaments and what happens when you go past that point. She had no idea when she wrote this letter of the kind of response she would get from the BHS.

Patrick Print
The British Horse Society
Stoneleigh Deer Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 2XZ

17th March 2007

Dear Mr Print:
On page 5, of the March/April 2007 issue of British Horse, you write about the controversial Rollkur or LDR training method. I am appalled that the BHS, which purports to be for the welfare of the horse, should promulgate the statements such as ‘if the end result is of quality and of no detriment to horse and rider then they would pass’. Since when did the means justify the ends?

As an example, tying hedgehog skins to a rapping pole to encourage a horse to jump cleanly, is of no real harm to the horse and he will probably jump well. Is that acceptable?

If, and it is a big if, there is no detriment to horse and rider then I would agree with what you say. However, working a horse in the LDR method does sustain permanent damage to the nuchal ligament and the splenius muscle at the very least and to a great number of other muscles and ligaments in the whole. Ligaments have only 4% stretch. If they are taken beyond that amount

SUBSCRIBE to HORSES For LIFE™ Online Magazine for full access to the exclusive and educational monthly articles in every Issue. Register and then USE the "Subscribe"button in the left hand menu. Your subscription includes access to A FULL PAST YEAR OF ISSUES! Over 200 Articles!!! For the Instructor, For the Rider, For the Horse. Horses For LIFE - For You! OR Enjoy the free articles in every issue available for Registered Members! Registration is FREE! Look for the asterisk * that denotes Free Articles!