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The best news for me, was that this book ended up on back order for me, since it was so popular that it had to be reprinted. The book is written in a very useful order, starting with the bits of anatomy that are key to understanding why new training techniques cannot be applied to an animal which has evolved over millions of years for a different purpose than being ridden. The anatomical descriptions are not always completely accurate and may need better illustration. Finally a respected veterinarian and rider of highly trained callibre calls upon riders , judges and trainers to review what is happening everywhere. About one or two photo's I would have liked to read a more justified comment. Usually we seem to have a good feeling that something is amiss, not right, painful or ineffective. I did get the DVD before the book and I find it extremely illustrative and complimentary to the contents of the book. It culminates in the adverse effects that "modern" techniques have on the gaits.Some of the text has been translated into strange English, but is still very understandable.
I doubt that many of us haven't had that feeling about using the seemingly effective but harsh training methods in our sport. Gerd Heuschmann may now have reassured us that some of us were right and hopefully succeeds in convincing many of us that they are still applying counterproductive, harmful and animal unfriendly training methods. But hey, the DVD is also for sale and answers it all. But other than that, this is the best wake-up call the equestrian sport community could have gotten.
The result is amazing and should ideally be seen in conjunction with the book. "Classical" dressage therefore, may prompt associations with baroque riding, the Wiener Hofreitschule and definitely not with todays mainstream equestrian sport. I first came into contact with the author, a leading German equine veterinary doctor, at a convention in Ireland, where I saw first hand how the amazing 3D animations of the horse's muscoskeletal system would illustrate it's natural and man-induced unnatural movement as discussed on the DVD. Worth five stars as six are not an option. Or indeed pain in a limb caused by a forced way of going. Instead, they clearly and clinically illustrate todays alarming techniques and appalling performance and clinical results that have found their way into equestrianism and are supposed to rapidly train horses towards an outline that dressage judges seem to prefer and admire, having little eye for the resulting clear irregularities in the horse's balance and gaits. But the vast majority of riders and trainers copies them, unwillingly without empathy, without patience and with little or no understanding, repeatedly damaging horses limbs and spine, expecting them to reach a very high level of competence in dressage at an age of only five or just over. Watch, read, act and spread the word and we will be worth the glory we work towards.
Why. For a good few years a slow but noticeable aversion has spread over certain "modern" training methods. If horses could speak they would tell us it's a rider induced tension in their back that makes them walk choppy, not an ailment located in the lower leg. Low and round carriage of the horse's neck and head during training are seen as proof of submission and an advanced level of competence. If horses could speak, there wouldn't be so many "mysterious" lamenesses.
A discussion that really shouldn't be "A Tug of War", let alone subject of a modern training principle.Mind you all: the book and DVD are not amusing at all. Never mind expensive scientifically proven joint supplements, state-of-the art stable and field blankets, flashy bridleware, designer clothes and impeccably white training wraps. Perhaps, just maybe, the world's best can practice these training methods safely. At last a bright light is shed on the discussions about dressage training methods, the foundation of all equestrian disciplines. "Modern" usually means "surpassed by ancient".
All persons involved in dressage and basic flatwork training, riding and judging should be aware of the thorough scientific evidence that is so clearly explained in the book and shown on the DVD. But they don't. Start thinking all over again: If horses could speak, they would shout at us as by now we are wearing them out prematurely. The sheer fact that this "modern" way of riding has become more of a rule than an exception, makes it a method and is indeed widely adopted, to the dismay of equine veterinary author Gerd Heuschmann. Wide spread stupidity and ignorance of riders and trainers and on many occasions a staggering incompetence of dressage judges around the globe is causing massive and wide spread harm to horses' physique. The equestrian world is very much on the wrong track not having signalled and halted these wide spread practices, bar some individuals and organisations.
What is this about. A durable result and continuous health, performance and happiness of a horse can only be realised by reevaluating our training, judging methods and understanding of quality of the horses' gaits. A radical change in expectations versus time has to be readopted, as used to generally be the case only half a century ago and as it still is commonsense among a few trainers and renowned equestrian centres. Horses would have told us that a long time ago.
The glory of the combined performance of truly good training and the amazing willingness and ability of our horses. It is heart wrenching. Nothing could be further from the truth, is what this book clearly advocates.Indeed we have swerved a long way from patient, animal friendly expectations of our horses on whom we should feel priveleged of mounting and enjoying every step of a well planned and executed training programme. Now this invaluable pair of a book and DVD speaks for them, and for those early warriors for the good cause, who have had trouble getting their message across to the equestrian community which is mostly not aware of how far todays training techniques have swerved away from the patient, efficient and empathic "classical" dressage.Without such a clear description of the balance, biomechanics and "modern" training methods, horses seem to be doomed to let us carry on without us understanding basic principles that are so graphically illustrated in this valuable pair of a book and a DVD.
Today it is about the quick resale value of the horse, about the glory of the rider, quick fixes seemingly supported by "modern" training techniques. I see it live, every day, with my own eyes. If they could speak. Accompanying DVD strongly recommended: DVD: If Horses Could Speak: How Incorrect "Modern" Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health
It is clear pictures of bad work that need highlighting, especially when it is bad work that is being rewarded by judges. The anatomy discussions in the book are pretty intense. Generally people agree when they see a horse and rider performing good work that it is good. This book goes a long way in to that line. I was hoping for even more comparisons of "wrong" vs "right".
I've been enjoying this book immensely. I often wondered how it could be that there could be so many dressage injuries when I was always taught that dressage is about looseness and making and keeping your horse supple and useful into old age. It has really made me think about the way I ride and the way I teach. I used to work at an equine veterinary facility and I have seen first hand the enormous amounts of injuries to come from the race track and the dressage barn. This book explains why in a simple and elegant fashion. I certainly hope that more people read it and become mindful of the message.
A timely book in this era of competitive dressage for the thinking and critical horseperson. I attended his seminar and clinic, and it is a MUST SEE. He is a master horse trainer for our generation.
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