Amazing horsemanship

Mearas said:
Does anyone think this riding is as fantastic as I do?
Click to expand...

I certainly don't! The horse is brave and athletic - but he's also scared stiff. I suspect he's more scared of the rider - and his curb and spurs - than he is of the bull!

No-one with ANY respect for their horse would force it into such a dangerous situation where - with one tiny slip - the horse is disembowelled! And what for?? So a bull can be tortured and weakened prior to the MAIN entertainment!!! :mad:
 
JanetGeorge said:
I certainly don't! The horse is brave and athletic - but he's also scared stiff. I suspect he's more scared of the rider - and his curb and spurs - than he is of the bull!

No-one with ANY respect for their horse would force it into such a dangerous situation where - with one tiny slip - the horse is disembowelled! And what for?? So a bull can be tortured and weakened prior to the MAIN entertainment!!! :mad:
Click to expand...

I can understand your distaste for bull fighting but I absolutely do not see your vision of a scared horse. I see a very soft curb rein, much less tight than say Edward Gal and Totillas and a very soft use of the spur. Generally in Portugal they use a spur that clips on to the boot, any excessive pressure and they fall off.
 
Mearas said:
I can understand your distaste for bull fighting but I absolutely do not see your vision of a scared horse..
Click to expand...

I suggest you get your eyes tested then!! That horse is scared - and it's helping keep him alive!

Try watching some top class cutting horses! The riding is as good, the training is just as good! The fear isn't there!
 
I love Merlin. I love the half pass he performs particularly. I am a huge fan of the Lusitano breed, so I'm always a little bit more bias.

However; similar to JanetGeorge- I detest bull-fighting and regardless of the amount of reading I've done regarding how it is an accepted part of Spanish society, surely they can appreciate the bull AND the horse without the need for tormenting the bull and sticking spikes in them???

Thanks for posting that other clip though; it is beautiful to see Merlin working outside the bull-ring- it's a shame there is not a lot of footage of him outside the bullring.
 
If you are into Iberian horsemanship ( I'm a number one fan :D ) then I recommend you also watch la Garrocha and Working Equitation and Doma Vaquera riding.

In Spain and Portugal, the Vaquera's ( it means cowboy and also means jeans- but jeans were made for cowboys, and 'country riding'), and are the Iberian cowboys. La garrocha is work with the pole- and a derivation of the bull fighting sport. It's quite a skill to be able to ride round with a huge pole, whilst half passing or doing a pirouette! It's a skill which I have SO much admiration for and obviously no animals are harmed- so it makes it so much more enjoyable.

If you like a bit of speed, watch Pedro Torres and his horse, Oxidano- they are such a pair! The speed and agility of Oxi is incredible and I love watching all their tests! A friend flew out there a few months back to ride with him, so I'm hoping to get out there once I've finished school!

Portuguese and Spanish horsemanship is something which I have so much admiration for and is a huge passion of mine. The only thing I dislike is bull-fighting, but that aside, I have a HUGE appreciation for their skill as riders, garrochaists, and horsemen but most importantly, their elegant horses.


Sorry; tangent!
 
JanetGeorge said:
No-one with ANY respect for their horse would force it into such a dangerous situation where - with one tiny slip - the horse is disembowelled! And what for?? So a bull can be tortured and weakened prior to the MAIN entertainment!!! :mad:
Click to expand...

THIS /\/\/\

I don't see anything 'Amazing' in this clip, just a poor bull being tormented and tortured :mad:
 
I dont like bull fighting, but that video is amazing. I dont see a scared horse at all. That horse is more than aware, that with its own ability, and with the riders guidance it has nothing to be scared of. Amazing...
 
sprite1978 said:
I dont like bull fighting, but that video is amazing. I dont see a scared horse at all. That horse is more than aware, that with its own ability, and with the riders guidance it has nothing to be scared of. Amazing...
Click to expand...

Thank you Sprite I see the same as you.
 
dont like the bull fighting part , but superbly balanced rider, i think there are very few people that could stay poised light and ride ( not just sit, cling on or bounce off!) on a horse while it jinx about like that. i dont think thats a scared horse, a scared horse would not spin around at its riders command in front of the bull, it would bolt, and as any one who has ever used a big shanked bit on a horse trained to that style of riding knows if you are heavy handed with them they just dont work..... recon theres plenty out there riding thire horses in snaffles that do more damage, badly balanced and boinging about tugging randomly on the bit, a bit is only as strong as the hands that use it and a shank and curb in balanced hands provides a far more refined comand .... as for the spurs, same principal as the bit really, if your properly balance you can carress the horse with as spur in a way you cant with leg or seat alone, but only for the very good rider.....;)
 
jinglejoys said:
Yes I love watching the cattle cutting...equine collies :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlnZ5roGPF4
Click to expand...

I agree - the cutting horses are just outstanding for athleticism and the ability to work with very little rider intervention. Outstanding stock horses - they have the same expression in the face of the cow they are working as Merlin has in the face of that bull: complete ownership of the stock. Amazing to see.
 
JanetGeorge said:
I certainly don't! The horse is brave and athletic - but he's also scared stiff. I suspect he's more scared of the rider - and his curb and spurs - than he is of the bull!

No-one with ANY respect for their horse would force it into such a dangerous situation where - with one tiny slip - the horse is disembowelled! And what for?? So a bull can be tortured and weakened prior to the MAIN entertainment!!! :mad:
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly! How could anyone put their horse in that danger or participate in such a barbaric way to torture an animal, this is not a sport it is licensed torture.
FDC
 
I can't stand the act of bull fighting but I found that a fantastic piece of film. The horse is superb, I think he is fantastic :) I am a Merlin fan now, and for his sins his rider :p
 
I think most people find the bull fighting unpalatable, but Merlin and the riding are sensational. Such lightness, harmony, trust, empathy and discipline are so rarely seen these days.
 
Mearas said:
I think most people find the bull fighting unpalatable, but Merlin and the riding are sensational. Such lightness, harmony, trust, empathy and discipline are so rarely seen these days.
Click to expand...

beautifully said.

Did you watch the footage of Oxidano? I reckon you'll like him. He is a PSL (pura sangre lusitana-pure bred Portuguese horse) whereas Merlin is a Portuguese type Tres Sangres (3 blood), in Spain it is a horse with Andalusian, Arab and TB lines. Merlin has Lusitano, Arab and QH blood, so a similar breed, in comparison. Personally I'm a PSL/PRE person!!
 
lassiesuca said:
beautifully said.

Did you watch the footage of Oxidano? I reckon you'll like him. He is a PSL (pura sangre lusitana-pure bred Portuguese horse) whereas Merlin is a Portuguese type Tres Sangres (3 blood), in Spain it is a horse with Andalusian, Arab and TB lines. Merlin has Lusitano, Arab and QH blood, so a similar breed, in comparison. Personally I'm a PSL/PRE person!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info I hadn't appreciated this. I love all horses to be honest ESPECIALLY when they are ridden like this. I know people have complained about putting Merlin in danger (and I understand there point of view) but I feel this horse is at less risk and happier than the now infamous 'blue tongue video'. I cannot see a single scratch on Merlin at all.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top