Dressage = ‘training’… to ‘dress’ the horse…
What do you think of this?
and how does it relate to this?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, don’t be shy!
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- Western horsemanship vs Competition dressage
- Equestrian competition’s sad expose
- Book Review: ‘Lessons in Lightness, the Art of Educating the Horse’
- Dressage schooling tips from Anky van Grunsven
- Do competition horses achieve the ‘Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare’?
- Anky van Grunsven, Patrik Kittel and the horse’s blue tongue
- Steffen Peters encourages self carriage
- Klaus reveals horses ‘die inside’
- Klaus Hempfling horse ‘mystique’
- Rollkur use investigated by EponaTV
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
The bottom dressage horses look far less relaxed and happy than the top horse. Not surprising though watching the “kick kick kick, pull pull pull” style of training/riding. No wonder they are confused.
The top clip shows an incredibly well trained horse who is also happy in his work.
Thanks for your thoughts Nicky – the rhythm is also interesting between the two. I look forward to seeing what others have to say (come on, don’t be shy!)
I heard you on Stable Scoop today and I love your Blog! I will be reading all the archives.
First off talk about an independent seat! That first rider has it!
The second video illustrates what is unfortunately a very common occurrence. Sour horses that do not look like they enjoy their work, and riders with really loud aids! I feel like it if you make it to that level of riding your aids should have reached a level of subtlety that me as a novice could only dream of.
Also for the arena vs. “working” debate I would say that people should be true to their horse. Some horses love arena work and some horses hate it. I think people should take into consideration what the horse enjoys instead of only thinking about what he is physically able to do.
Hi Molly,
Thanks so much! The Stable Scoop interview was a surprise, and so much fun… Glenn (the Geek) and Helena B are very funny and easy to talk to.
I think you have a very philosophical approach to the question, and very valid. Often dressage horses don’t look very ‘joyful’, and one really does think the rider is ‘forcing the horse to dance’ rather than it being offered willingly. I loved watching Steffen Peters (German, based in the US and riding for the US) ride here 2 weeks ago – his aids were so subtle and minimal – for example, a leg moving back almost invisibly in the flying changes, whereas often the most flying thing in a flying change is so often the rider’s leg flying up the horse’s side!
You are so right regarding ‘being true’ to their horse – I believe that is so important that the horse does what he enjoys. He doesn’t have too much choice… and I am frequently surprised what they let us get away with!
I look forward to going over and reading your blog, I am sure I will like it!
Karen
Hello! I discovered your blog from the Stable Scoop show, and I’m loving it so far. Keep up the good work!
The first video was beautiful. Horse and rider were both incredibly talented and the horse was obviously extensively trained. I can only aspire to ride like that someday.
I shuddered at the second video, however. It seems like dressage (and just about any other equestrian sport) today is less about the horse and more about getting the status and prestige no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, you can buy your way to the top even if your skills are mediocre, and it’s even become standard. Good on you for pointing this fact out. There are a lot of people who need to see it.
Thanks for your thoughts, Jessy! I am glad you found me!
I think also observing our own balance and thoughts, along with the ‘horse’s reality’ is useful in assessing where we (truly) are and how to make a positive change. While this may seem a bit esoteric, I believe that we can achieve this when we combine the knowledge of ’scientific learning theory’, with the ‘feel’ that is riding in harmony.
Attention to tension and to exercises to allow it to fade away are so useful. Currently reading Mark Russell’s ‘Lessons in Lightness’, which is a great read and has much to say on this topic. I will be reviewing it here soon.
I look forward to popping over to your blog later on, as just heading to work. ; )
The major difference I find between the two is the first is “Real”; Real challenges, Real to life, and therefore Real skills. It appeared natural. The second appears “UnReal”, not driven by need, but vanity, and I’d go so far as it say it is comparable to the difference between a circus dog and a working dog such as a shepherd or heeler working sheep or cattle. It’s a shame. My opinion may be different if the second video was a whole routine (it makes this an apple to oranges comparison) I’m also not saying the animals are not well trained or are nor the riders, just that what appears to be a higher level of training has lost a sense of practicalness which is what it was all about at one time. I am sure a calvary officer valued an animal out in the field that was flexible, courageous, powerful, faithful, attentive and on and on.I imagine pretty steps were low on his list of needs.
Just my 2 cents.
And a fine 2 cents’ worth it is! A practical sense of ‘purpose’ is (usually) a fine thing. I understand what you mean about an apple versus oranges comparison. Fair comments all. ; )
Lightness is also a big difference between the two! The first horse is truly collected the whole time and very light, as is the rider, very light (independent seat Molly indeed mentioned) overall the combination works in lightness and is totally balanced.
In the second video the horses don’t move with lightness, not only because there is no independent seat and no light aids but probably also because the horses are just trained totally different (with tools and rush rush). The horses are not collected but crammed together, front and back of the horse almost doing two different things, moving separately… There is no balance what so ever
I have Kiger Mustang who moves like the horse in the first video. That horse looked like he was having a blast! He was designed for collection and his core and his rider’s core were both so strong! It almost makes me wonder why we in America and much of Europe choose TB/Warmbloods.. seems like the Andulusian/Lusitano/Spanish Horse is much more suited to dressage. I have seen Stephen Peters ride and it is beautiful and sublte, but much of what I saw in the second video was upsetting. Yanking, pulling, kicking.. the horses upset. It does not have to be that way. I like to think of dressage as ‘the athletic development of the horse.’ I have several young mustangs and one who I have been bringing along for 4 years now. He is happy in his work, in front of the leg and round with very light contact. It took a lot of work and waiting for him to progress on HIS schedule, but his physical developement is beautiful.
Hi Kate,
Yes, the Spanish and Portuguese horses are something else, aren’t they?! But also, the training!
Modern competition dressage, developed with a heavy German influence, favours breeds such as Hanoverian and Holsteiner. Then too, the judges are trained to reward these specific types of horse and movement.
I too saw Stephen Peters ride and teach recently, and he was very much about getting the horse responsive, not sitting on heavy hands – but to GIVE with the hand when the horse responds to a slowing aid. I felt that he showed how it should be done, and was constantly telling the riders to get off their horses’ mouths.
It is good when sometimes we get to see someone applying the aids, and the release of the aids so that a horse is able to understand. It is actually quite hard to locate role-models one would want to follow! That is where the best we can do is to remain a ’seeker’, always seeking to understand, identify, modify, compare and improve.
Enjoy your day on Orcas Island!
Great videos that clearly demonstrate the inadequate schooling of the competitive dressage horse versus the working dressage horse.
Notice that the bull fighting horse was always fluid in the shoulders and hindquarters with his back up
Notice that the rider used one hand…I dare say there is no FEI compeititve rider that could test with one hand.
Agreed… unlike days of old…