Indulge me in a moment of ranting, if you will. I’m frequently “treated” to video clips posted on Facebook, usually by friends of friends, that are prime examples of all that is wrong with equestrian sport today. There was the mare, newly under saddle, clattering around the arena in an unbalanced canter while her head was firmly … More Passage … at 4?!
Most important is love of the horse. It is the leitmotiv that should underlie all our intercourse with this most lovable of creatures. A horse will overcome its inborn shyness and gain confidence, the fundamental condition of mutual understanding, with a man whose love it feels….Anyone who loves his horse will be patient, and patience, inexhaustible … More Love of the horse
I was watching some of the video from last week’s Dressage at Aachen, and I was struck by the almost manic nature of the top rides. It’s hard to imagine that there is any actual collection going on in these rides, with the speed at which they almost crash through all of the movements! Totilas … More Where’s the Fire?!
If you read my previous post about Nash, you’ll know that he’s coming off of more than a year long layoff, and I’m trying to get back to riding my old master. My first abortive attempt at riding him was cut short by an unusual incident of rearing. Sensitive to all of the health issues … More Even The Vet Said “Wallop Him!”
A sack of money alone is not sufficient to create a rider. In fact, nothing contributes more to facilitating the riding horse’s overuse and increasing the demand for its replacement. And so, the downward spiral of horsemanship is driven even deeper while causing the already high prices of horses to escalate more. One must have … More A Sack of Money …
If time and good instructors permit, systematic dressage can bring nothing but benefit to any horse and pleasure to the rider. If, however, the dressage is misapplied, is carried out in an over-hasty manner and in an insensitive way – and this is more often than not the case – then more harm is done … More Give Them More Time!
Horse Crazy Once Again 