Western Pleasure - Please Explain

Katikins

Katikins

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 March 2010
Messages
772
Location
Den Haag, Netherlands
Visit site
OK, figured I'd post this on here. I was reading the fugly blog (or whatever its called now) this morning and there was something about how flat western pleasure horses are now. Now having never ridden western and knowing sweet FA about it I thought I'd go and look at the video that she was talking about (2011 Western Pleasure Congress) and OMG! What is that canter/walk/lame gait they make them do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2fNb94uVks

I cannot figure out what the purpose of this is meant to be. It looks flat, unbalanced, downhill and uncomfortable (for the horse, I'm sure its comfy for the rider). Could someone please enlighten me and ease my confusion?
 
Katikins said:
Yeah I thought that but I thought that loop just referred to normal canter - maybe something is lost in the American/Brit translation. I just can't see the point in it or what it's meant to achieve.
Click to expand...

I suppose one could argue what is the point of the piaffe or passage.....

What's the point in them, eh?
 
DragonSlayer said:
I suppose one could argue what is the point of the piaffe or passage.....

What's the point in them, eh?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I get your point but for instance I've seen horses does piaffe and passage naturally in the field and I understand WHY we do them, to show self carriage, collection etc but I've never in my life seen a horse do this gait naturally (but maybe that's because I've only worked with British or Irish horses so stand to be corrected). But that's what I don't get with this... what are they trying to show off. Every exercise we do is meant to be showing off the riders' and horses' ability. Be it the discipline and elasticity of dressage, the jumping ability in showjumping, or the all round agility, obedience and stamina in eventing.
 
It's just a branch of western horsemanship, and I agree that the horses are very "flat". I think a lot of people associate western riding with this style, neck reining, a low head carriage etc, which is a bit of a shame.
 
ROFL!!!!

That si the funniest thing I have ever seen in a long time. It was surreal to watch. Yes, I guess I could apply same notion to watching some piaffe for the first time... then if I do that, I'll start laughing about the fact we ride horses!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D

Dear oh dear... ok no more coffee for tallyho.......
 
Pleasure horses are encouraged to have slow, comfortable gaits, however, as with anything, there are undesirable training methods with exaggerated results.

Owning two mares bred to do pleasure and halter, they do naturally have a flat knee action and low head carriage. I have had a few phonecalls from a nearby house saying my horses are lame but they are sound as a pound, they just look funny when they canter!
 
a kind of magic said:
Pleasure horses are encouraged to have slow, comfortable gaits, however, as with anything, there are undesirable training methods with exaggerated results.

Owning two mares bred to do pleasure and halter, they do naturally have a flat knee action and low head carriage. I have had a few phonecalls from a nearby house saying my horses are lame but they are sound as a pound, they just look funny when they canter!
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, its really interesting that this is something that you will see the 'type' do this naturally. This all makes a bit more sense now... though it's definitely not my cup of tea but each to their own. As long as the horses are comfortable. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top