Dying for Dressage... Watermill Scandic

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If you read my reply correctly you will see I never said that I was either for or against rollkur/hyperflexion, I said this was not a good example of a video to use against rollkur/hyperflexion and I didn't find the hyperflexion part of the video distressing because in this video IMO the hyperflexion/rollkur is not causing the tongue issue, the fact the tongue is over the bit is... and I said AFTER the tongue is put back in the horse carries on working a happy in the mouth, I didn't say he was happy in the mouth at the time.

Horses can get their tongues over the bit for many reasons and without seeing the session prior to this video it would be very hard to judge why the horse got his tongue over the bit... My own horses have on the odd occassion in the last 20 odd years of owning horses got their tongue over the bit, about 5 times I can remember, the result has always to hop off get the tongue back in the correct position and carry on working, my horses tongue has never turned blue but I guess that because they are usually ridden in snaffles and the bit wasn't pressing on the underside of the tongue where the blood supply is!

As for needing to look on google to find out more about rollkur/hyperflexion, I have actually seen it being done in the flesh, including a first time session... its not something I would do with my own horses, the same as there are many training methods I wouldn't use on my own horses BUT I would rather see a moderate use of rollkur by an experienced rider with alot of feel than a bad rider yanking their horse around in draw reins anyday!!

Like all training aids, there is good and bad examples of use, training aids and methods should be used as just that, as an aid and in moderation, you see so often people using all sorts of methods and aids as a cure and that is wrong!

BTW if I saw rollkur/hyperflexion being used and the horse was distressed I would be the first to say something, just the same as I would with draw reins, de gouge's and the other array of gadgets their is out there, most that would never grace my tack room!

But it is my opinion that the cause of the problem in this video is not the hyperflexion but the tongue getting over the bit, so hence it is not a good video to use against rollkur/hyperflexion... I am sure you can find plenty that would be better to fight your cause!

As for saying these horse are dead in the brain from the training, then you don't really understand the mental requirements for these horses to perform at this level, they are far from dead in the brain... dressage horses trained to high level have to be forward thinking, alert and reactive, as well as being able to be attentive to the rider, in front of the leg travelling into the bridle and perform their movements. Thats why the majority of top dressage horses are sharp and far from dead in the brain!

And JM07 why do you always have to result to insults when someone disagrees with you, why can't you just put forward your beliefs and opinions in a well thought out manner without insulting people, at the end of the day all people are different and know more/less about certain topics than others! I can form my opinion on having seen rollkur/hyperflexion being used in the flesh, where horses weren't distressed and not just base my opinion on you tube videos. Insulting people is just not necessary, I never insulted you, I just gave my opinion which I am just as entitled to do as you are, if you disagree that is fine but a well thought out answer with your reasons you disagree would come over much better than just insulting them!
 
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But it is my opinion that the cause of the problem in this video is not the hyperflexion but the tongue getting over the bit, so hence it is not a good video to use against rollkur/hyperflexion... I am sure you can find plenty that would be better to fight your cause!

>snip

And JM07 why do you always have to result to insults when someone disagrees with you,

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Bo**ocks! And if you consider that insulting, tough - I can join JM07! The tongue does NOT turn BLUE from being 'over the bit/s! The tongue turns blue when there is SO much pressure on the curb that the curb bit is squashing the damn tongue in a vice and cutting off the blood supply!! He didn't correct a 'tongue over bit' situation (bloody hard to do from the saddle!) He shoved a limp, flaccid tongue back into the horse's mouth - behind its clenched teeth!!
 
well said Janet George


I do respect everyone views - but some are so hard to swallow - I wonder if really they are posted for notoriety..

the alternative view is so very PC! (NOT!)

so love the un PC language - brave girl!

LOL
 
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I would rather see a moderate use of rollkur by an experienced rider with alot of feel than a bad rider yanking their horse around in draw reins anyday!!



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How about neither? Thats what i'd rather see. The rider in the video looks experienced and at that level should have feel, it doesnt mean that rollkur is acceptable because of that.

Horses with a correctly fitted bit that is correct for their mouth conformation and being ridden with good hands do not get their tongues over the bit. The horse probably got its tongue over to avoid pressure from above, only to be replaced from pressure from below. Either way it is wrong and i was offended by the fact that you didnt find it distressing to watch the horse in discomfort. Because if the tongue was blue the horse would have been in discomfort.

There were 2 issues about the video, the tongue and the rollkur. BOTH were disgusting.
 
WELL SAID Black and White..

more horses perishing because of us...and it isnt because we love them and cherish their time spent in the field munching grass is it?!!

good information and shocking...
 
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But it is my opinion that the cause of the problem in this video is not the hyperflexion but the tongue getting over the bit, so hence it is not a good video to use against rollkur/hyperflexion... I am sure you can find plenty that would be better to fight your cause!

>snip

And JM07 why do you always have to result to insults when someone disagrees with you,

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Bo**ocks! And if you consider that insulting, tough - I can join JM07! The tongue does NOT turn BLUE from being 'over the bit/s! The tongue turns blue when there is SO much pressure on the curb that the curb bit is squashing the damn tongue in a vice and cutting off the blood supply!! He didn't correct a 'tongue over bit' situation (bloody hard to do from the saddle!) He shoved a limp, flaccid tongue back into the horse's mouth - behind its clenched teeth!!

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I raise your one "Bo**ocks" to two Janet George, you described perfectly what is really going in that horse's mouth.
 
There is no "feel" in Rolkur. How can there be feel when there is so much force involved?
Mind you, I'm very influenced by the western horsemen, although my main instructor is classical, if you said there was "feel" in Rolkur to someone like the late Ray Hunt he'd have had some choice things to say.
Feel should be about feeling for the horse, not forcing him.
 
Absolutely right Woeisme, some Western horsemen can get a galloping horse to turn on a six pence at the slightest touch of the rein. Now that's feel and working in partnership.
 
OK lets have a look at the other things too, we've mentioned rollkur and fat show horses. These also happen, and get my goat:

Horses put on a horse walker for 24 hours before a measuring, to shrink them to the right height for showing classes.

Event horses dehydrated before the dressage to make the superfit spooky ones quiet enough to get a decent score, then rehydrated for the jumping.

Dressage horses worked so hard so young that they have routine hock steroid injections every six months just to keep them going.

Showjumpers with capsaicum put on their legs so it hurts like hell if they hit a pole. Goes hand in hand with rapping.

I once watched an Olympic rider (not UK), based at a livery yard I was at, beat a horse until it bled. Top level sport of any kind seems to be lead to abuse of the horse by some competitors. Can we do anything about it??
 
Jesus Christ.....how can anyone who loves horses,or dressage for that matter bare to even defend this appalling lack of horsemanship.The great masters like Nuno Oliveria,and Reiner klimke would be spinning in their graves.
 
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Absolutely right Woeisme, some Western horsemen can get a galloping horse to turn on a six pence at the slightest touch of the rein. Now that's feel and working in partnership.

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Didn't someone put Anky on a western horse recently and she fell off it?? Or have I dreamt that?
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If you google patrick kittel he has a facebook page.I feel compelled to send him a message as surely the only way to put an end to this horrific practice is to have the balls to voice an opinion against this and to ask someone who is an olympic rider how can he justify this CRUELTY in the name of dressage and horsemanship?
 
Maybe we could find a list of these 3rd rate barberians that are using these gadets and rough cruel methods to get a hollow result, and the next time they are showing we could throw eggs or tomartoes at them perhaps.. please halt at x while we pelt you
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Perhaps I didn't find that video distressing because there is far worse things going on the horse world... and yes it would be nice to have a perfect world but that isn't going to happen and I would rather the worse things got sorted first...

Warning these video ARE distressing but can all easily be foun d on you tube... and they make me feel discusted to even be called human!

Western Riding?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMxv6imqRXc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-sj6bAx4c4

Horse abuse!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFMVGMdhHV8

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Thanks for the links, sadly rodeo is not what most people would use as example of what western riding is..
we look for a partnership an understanding , the lightest of aids, selfcarrige, it is classical horsemanship in its purest form if its done right...
 
I know Spooky, but part of the point here is that dressage is an Olympic discipline, with a totally different, much wider audience compared to rodeos, and this rider is a very successful top rider...
 
Yep, I don't see the relevance of posting up links about other equine abuse. We know there is all sorts of abuse out there, this discussion happens to be about abuse in dressage.
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And let's not forget this one! The Facebook group now has over 1100 members in just a few days.

There is also an i-petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/antiHF/

PLEASE sign it now. The FEI MUST be made to see that this 'hot potato' can't be swept under the carpet any longer! The abuse must stop! And yes, I'm not so naive as to think some riders/trainers won't still do it at home - but at least we can ensure horses are not abused in competition warm-up rings. THAT would be a start!
 
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