Rollkur: when you think you see it?

Bay_Beasty

Bay_Beasty

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Now I am not going to tell where I saw it. But lets just say I don't know the person directly but follow their progress with interest. I recently witnessed them using rollkur, probably unintentionally, head to deep into chest (but not touching the chin but def way too deep) an hyperflexions on the circle etc etc. The Horse is a difficult character too, which may have caused this result. There not actually dressage trained, more all rounder type. I am not going to tell them I that I think they are using Rollkur as I think its rude, but my question is what would you do??
 
To be honest, if it's there horse and the horse is well cared for and happy enough in its work I dont think it's your place to do anything.
 
I would (AND HAVE!) shout "that's rollkur!" down a yard to a girl working her ex-national hunt horse with back and tendon injuries in draw reins and spurs.

I actually wanted to say "get of that horse" but wasn't my place. I think now that rolkurr is BANNED we should be able to mention it to people who do it because rollkur is wrong on so many levels.
 
Rolkurr is only banned in competition warm up areas. I do not believe there is any law against you riding your horse like this - if this is what you choose to do.

And by the way, I DO NOT agree with it.
 
I see many people who ride their horses in ways I do not agree with or do things I would do differently but I don't think it's any of my business. I would only intervene if it was a serious welfare issue and I have never seen one of these in riding (more likely to see neglect). Many riders ride in ways that affect the welfare of their horse, e.g. unbalanced, pull and kick, bits that are too strong, etc...it's a fact of riding and I am sure I am guilty of it as well.
 
tracey01 said:
Rolkurr is only banned in competition warm up areas. I do not believe there is any law against you riding your horse like this - if this is what you choose to do.

And by the way, I DO NOT agree with it.
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Then I think all the more reason to shame people who do it IMO. It's not right and not fair. Shouldn't have to use rollkur if the horse is moving correctly with enough impulsion anyway.

If you get told where to go by the owner then at least you spoke up for the horse.
 
I don't believe that. It was proved on here aka the Catwalk thread that if you think something is wrong you should speak up and things can be done about it.

Enough people spoke up about the blue tongued horse and something was done. It needs stamping out at home not just in the warm up arena.

Rollkur gives a completely false outline.

I would rather someone told ME if I was doing something wrong.
 
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Booboos said:
I see many people who ride their horses in ways I do not agree with or do things I would do differently but I don't think it's any of my business. I would only intervene if it was a serious welfare issue and I have never seen one of these in riding (more likely to see neglect). Many riders ride in ways that affect the welfare of their horse, e.g. unbalanced, pull and kick, bits that are too strong, etc...it's a fact of riding and I am sure I am guilty of it as well.
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This! Im not perfect, the way I ride may offend some (in a numpty way, not a rollkur way!!), the way others ride IMO is wrong, but its just a fact of life, and not just in the horse world either!
 
Rebelzmum said:
I don't think you're guilty of it, looking at that photo of you on that grey horse! Just been looking at what a fantastic photo it is!
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Kind of you to say, but like many people I lack balance, natural ability and a sense of timing so I am very often all over the place. The problem with stopping bad riding is that we would have to stop a lot of people.

BTW the definition of what the FEI has banned is rather more complex than banning rollkur as they seem to have banned prolonged hyperflexion using force, not hyperflexion as such.

Not much happened after the blue tongue episode, the relevant committee did not find the rider guilty of anything.
 
tis interesting that the blue tongue episode came of nothing. This is how I feel about the issue that I presented above. I do not feel said person uses rollkur a) intentionally or B) for prelonged periods of time.

However I am grateful to all your input. Perhaps if I saw rollkur being used while I was witnessing it 'live' and for a prolonged period my actions may be different.
 
nelle48 said:
Can I ask a really dim question, but what actually is Rollkur? :confused:
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According to those who practice it, it's the hyperflexion of the neck, which is achieved without using force and while maintaining proper impulsion from behind.

A number of issues arise immediately on both sides of the debate:
- can it be achieved without force?
- if can be done badly, e.g. using force or without impulsion - does that make it worse than any other technique done badly?
- does it lead to a tendency in horses to go behind the vertical?
- will some horses naturally carry themselves with rollkur tendencies?
- can you do rollkur for too long? How long is too long?
- where does behind the vertical (a common fault, sometimes created by the horse itself) stop and rollkur start (as a training technique)?
 
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