So to explain what is happening in these photos for those who are not horsey or are beginners... To start with, in the photos of the close up of the riders leg; the darkened areas on the horses sides are areas where the roweled spurs have done so much damage to the horses flesh that the hair is fresh and dark with new growth. If you look closely you will see that the area appears moist. That would be from fresh damage much like if you were to skin your knee. Also to note, the darkened area goes all the way up and back at the horses last few ribs - Bad form, that should only be done with a beginner horse who is just learning a hind over maneuver or to teach the green horse Tempe. With the green horse the use of spur for the maneuvers should be few and gentle, defiantly not to damage and bloody the horse. Next photo - Look at the full frame photo. The horse is held so tightly that he is now in Rollkur. Rollkur is where the head of the horse is behind the vertical. This cuts off air flow to the lungs, is extremely harsh (similar to bending your hand backwards to the point of damaging your wrist). This means that the rider is actually strong arming the horse into this position. Note too the white leg wraps. Proper use of leg wraps would be to offer light protection for a balanced, strong and finished horse, one who can move like a strong athlete with balance and grace. This horse has nearly shipping boots. THey are highly padded and covers his coronet bands by his hooves. There are also dirt marks on his fetlock joints, this tells me that he is unbalanced, green, not strong enough to move with grace due to poor conditioning (or lack there of) and that he is not at the level he should be at to perform Tempe. This means that the rider is imposing maneuvers that the horse is not prepared for, that leads to damaging the horses joints and most likely, mind. On to the close-ups of the horses face: There is so much going on here that I could write a book. To cut back on some of the babbling, think of the billiards games. Look at the angles of the leather straps, reins and the bits because there are two of them. Note the smaller bit first. This is a leverage bit called a Boucher bit. The anatomy is that the reins fit in the big circle, the bridle attaches to the small ring at the top of what is called a Purchase. The purchase is what makes the bit leveraged. That means that there are points of pressure. If you draw straight lines to each point of pressure you could see how the bit works when you think of billiards. Each point the lines make increases the pressure exerted on the horses jaw bone. This bits purpose it to guide the hose on the lateral. Now on to bit #2, the lower and bigger bit is called a Weymouth bit. It is a strong bit intended for highly trained horse and rider with gentle hands who knows how to use her body to ride with educated athletic grace. Bits do so many things and each detail, no matter how minute or insignificant it may seem plays an important roll in how it effects the horse and the horses movement. The length and width of the parts, how many joints it has, the material it is made of , the kind of joints, the size and width of the rings, the degree and placement of the bend(s) of the shanks, the bars that are in the mouth and how that is put together soon and so forth. Also to note is that this bit has additional leverage in the chin chain. Bit #2 is used for collection, guiding the horses vertical-ness, its use should be limited and soft. Its purpose is for the straight movements. The harsh handedness of the rider is disgraceful and not what proper Dressage is about. There is so much force in the mouth that the horses tongue has turned blue from the crushing misuse of the bits. This rider rides improperly, poorly, lacks grace, strength and ability. He is taking away from the horses potential, making the sport look bad thus diminishing Dressage as a whole. To my students - This is a fine example of might over right. Do honest work, honest practice, honest effort and honest thought. When you follow that you will outshine the rest in many ways. Grace outweighs money, force and social status every time. If you dont have a high dollar horse, work harder, learn more and give the horse you have everything in you to bring him or her to their best ability and potential. If you dont have the financial ability to take lessons or even own a horse, READ, WATCH, EAVESDROP, soak in as much as you posable can because if you have an undying passion the universe will make a way for you I promise.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 12:08:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015