Rollkur

Thanks for posting that P_G. I always like reading about things before i make up my mind. I have to admit its not really for me but each to their own!! And not being funny but Anky hasn't exactly been unsuccessful, but it doesn't mean its the only method that works!!!
 
I read the replies from members in British Horse mag and they really annoyed me. A few were threatening to cancel their membership because of the article which made me think about canceling my membership (not for long!) because I didn't want to be lumped together with these narrow-minded individuals who are against seeing both sides of a story! As I remember the article wasn't specifically on rollkur anyway it was an interview with Anky but since people are totally unable to separate the two inevitably it came up!
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Just to add: personally I'm undecided on the subject but like to read both sides!
 
I too am not sure what to think about Rolkur.

Obviously just reeming a horses head in isn't going to help anyone, so there is obviously far more to it. Hence, why it should only be used by people who know what they are doing.

I too like reading both sides of a story but this is one subject I can not form an opinion on,as yet.
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Thanks for the link. (I can't believe the ridiculous over reaction of some BHS members
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Ah no can't find anything- never mind. I wouldn't like to start a debate but whilst working abroad saw LDR used fairly frequently and I am very undecided about it but there are other practises that professionals use during training that could be deemed controversial -bit of a mine field really
 
There was a discussion on here a few weeks ago about Rolkur... I can't find the thread otherwise I'd post a link.

My view is that it's a cruel and unecessary practice that is all about getting the horse to submit to the rider's dominance rather than what I always believed dressage to be about - a partnership in elegant self carriage. When a horse is in hyperflexion it cannot see where it is going, it's basically being ridden blind and is therefore totally reliant on the rider. On top of that you've got the physical damage it does to the horse's muscular and skeletal systems - equivalent to the damage done by the extreme use of draw reins.

Anky uses it because she rides huge, powerful warmbloods that are asked to extend too early in their lives and therefore aren't taught self carriage. The problem lies in that modern dressage expects 4/5/6/7 years olds to perform at certain levels... people pay a lot of money for horses and want to see competitive results quickly rather than waiting for the horse to develop and mature and become physically able to perform the dressage movements required at a higher level without having to resort to things like rolkur and draw reins.
 
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Im not wishing to start a debate on the subject either!

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how about reading the OP properly next time!!

i know its been done to death, hence why i didnt want to get into a debate about it!!
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Im not wishing to start a debate on the subject either!

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how about reading the OP properly next time!!

i know its been done to death, hence why i didnt want to get into a debate about it!!
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But starting a thread on such a controversial subject is bound to stimulate debate, no? Rolkur is something that really makes my blood boil... we all stand up against cruelty when it's horses being neglected but because a big name rider does something it makes a cruel practice acceptable in the mainstream. There's something just not right there...
 
Anky also tells us that inside leg to outside hand is 'rubbish'........ For me the enjoyment is seeing, hearing and reading different viewpoints, then making up my own mind and choosing preference!
 
I think if I had ever attempted any sort of rollkur with Dutch he would have reared up and gone over backwards for sure. I think a horse who fixes is really bad whatever the position but Anky and Sjef do use tough methods but they are no longer talking one word about rollkur! It is completely different what a professional might do to a supple horse than an amateur like most of us on even an advanced dressage horse.

Deep and round really developed Dutchie though.
 
I think a lot of BHS people-instructors included would have no idea how to even go about riding the horse with any sort of spark, in collection or round. I did my Pony Club A test and most of the examiners had no clue about collection or higher grades of riding either.

I don't lose sleep over Rollkur, most horses would never benefit or feel good in that position anyway.
 
Not meaning to put the cat amongst the pigeons here but Anky put her and her horses under extreme physical veterinary scrutiny and there was found to be no detrimental physical effect of her working her horses inthis way. The connective tissue in the head neck jaw and back were all examined and this debate was researched fully and she co-operated full withall aspects of the enquiry and was found to be not guilty!!!
More worrying was the effect of having extravigant moving young horses held up and tight in the back which has seen a massive increase in soft tissue injury in the deep digital flexor tendon. Dr Hausman who was the man that started this debate in the st. George came to the Uk a year ago in Feb and many eminant vets et al looked at all these areas and actually Dr Hausman was more worried about this tension and had had to accept that the roll kur perception was actually not actuallly so harmful as first thought. Dr Sue Dyson from the Animal Health Trust gave a very informative lecture on this point also.
So to hate something without understanding is foolish. Like anything taken out of context and used by the inexperienced it may be dangerous.Like a scalpal in a surgeons hands becomes just a knife in anyone elses.
 
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