Re: Now: Why Arabians aren't widely represented among DQ's was Re: Winter riding

On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:33:32 -0500, "J. Z. M."
<clayridgefarm@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

snip

>MHO of rollkur is that in moderation it is merely another "trick" to keep
>the horse's anxiety at bay, it's something to keep the head down and keep
>the horse from activating his fear/flight mechanism. It does nearly nothing
>to exercise and improve the horse's posture; it's nearly as bad as draw
>reins, and used in conjunction it is a horse punishment more than anything
>to increase the animal's overall athletic ability. Yes, I am against it's
>use, but the humans who love to do it have horses who are extremely
>uncontrollable without it's use. Why is this? MHO it is because of the
>other discussion on another thread about "collective marks" and what is
>"wow" in a dressage horse.

Behavior and controllability is a big issue for me, and it's what I've
noticed in the videos I've seen.

snip

>Most of us riding do not want to ride an out of control animal who is on the
>verge of exploding and wigging out in the ring. We want control, we want
>even tempo, and well done tests. People with 'out of control horses' resort
>to Rollkur to get control, and people who plug away day after day getting
>the horse well trained are not being rewarded for their hard worn work.

Absolutely. The worrisome fear I have is when this type of attitude
jumps disciplines.

>Debbie and Bretina come to mind here. Her horse is wonderful, but not enough
>pizzazz is why she is not winning, her mare is doing an accurate, well
>executed test and no one cares. They always place her, she is always more
>accurate than the top horses and she usually is third or fourth. It's the
>"WOW" factor that is killing her.

Agreed.

snip

>Now again, this is a discussion. I will also point out that Western trainers
>use the method also as a suppling action, and they use it in a slightly
>differing manner. But take a long look at the One Rein Stop, and the methods
>of keeping the head one side or the other to the foot of the rider. It's the
>same thing in another set of clothes. Putting the horse's head down and
>compromising his ability to put his head up and out of control. It's all
>about control and how much the rider wants to use the tool.

Fortunately, I'm not inclined to use this method. For one thing, I
have a plug who'd object mightily to anything of that sort. I do
agree about the control issues.

I'm liking my beginnings with playing with cavelletti, even though it
sucks up time to do it right. Other slow means of suppling appeal to
me as well.

Then again, I'm old-fashioned and into taking my time.

jrw
.

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