There has been much talk recently as to the many controversial training methods, that so many horses endure.
For example, rolkur (used in dressage) has received headline news, claiming it as abusive training. Many in the respected dressage community are outraged.
How could a sport, which focuses on horse-human harmony be brought down to such lows? What benefits are gained by such methods?
The aim of every dressage rider is to train a horse to ture submission- soft in the jaw, attentive to the lightest of aids.
Rolkur is often used as an attempt to achieve undeniable 'submission'. The idea is, that when the horse is overbent, he will build up better muscling, and adopt the proper head carriage easier during dressage tests.
Now, most will agree a little bit of rolkur training, for a couple minutes every so often is not abusive, but when a horse must maintain this position for extended periods of time, both mental and physical stress ensues.
How does a stressed horse remain soft in the jaw? He doesn't.
So why do a select few of the top dressage trainers use this training 'method'? It is hard to say- maybe to achieve submission, as they are not capable to achieve it any other way- but quite probably, it is because of who's winning.
Anky van Grunsven, perhaps, was one of the spurhead riders of the 'rolkur movement'. Seeing as how successful she has been in competition, many dressage wanna-be's, seem to be adopting the same training- sending the dressage community into the midst of controversy, and wondering if rule changes should be in store.
So, what do you think? Is rolkur abusive? Are there times when it is acceptable? Share your thoughts!
For example, rolkur (used in dressage) has received headline news, claiming it as abusive training. Many in the respected dressage community are outraged.
How could a sport, which focuses on horse-human harmony be brought down to such lows? What benefits are gained by such methods?
The aim of every dressage rider is to train a horse to ture submission- soft in the jaw, attentive to the lightest of aids.
Rolkur is often used as an attempt to achieve undeniable 'submission'. The idea is, that when the horse is overbent, he will build up better muscling, and adopt the proper head carriage easier during dressage tests.
Now, most will agree a little bit of rolkur training, for a couple minutes every so often is not abusive, but when a horse must maintain this position for extended periods of time, both mental and physical stress ensues.
How does a stressed horse remain soft in the jaw? He doesn't.
So why do a select few of the top dressage trainers use this training 'method'? It is hard to say- maybe to achieve submission, as they are not capable to achieve it any other way- but quite probably, it is because of who's winning.
Anky van Grunsven, perhaps, was one of the spurhead riders of the 'rolkur movement'. Seeing as how successful she has been in competition, many dressage wanna-be's, seem to be adopting the same training- sending the dressage community into the midst of controversy, and wondering if rule changes should be in store.
So, what do you think? Is rolkur abusive? Are there times when it is acceptable? Share your thoughts!
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I am so disappointed to see Anky training to such low standards- and winning. But I guess that's why, as you stated, using rolkur has become much more common- or perhaps it's just that the public is gaining more perspective into what goes on in the horse world, making the issue appear more widespread?
ReplyDeleteI think there was a video on YouTube, showing her extended periods of rolkur use, though she claims to only use it "for a few strides".
Since I have horses for trail riding, I would say such training can be and probably is abusive. There is undeniable beauty in the ideal of dressage where the horse and rider move as one in unison, but to my mind the training to achieve that is questionable. Instead and at the polar opposite to this kind of training I recommend reading the small paperback Basic Training for a Safe Trail Horse with subtitle of Eliminating the Fear Factors. It is a narrative with instruction about how to teach a horse to be a true and safe companion without having to use bits, spurs, longe lines or round pens. It describes the kind of relationship possible to have with a horse that many professional horse trainers never experience. It is available at Amazon, and book inquiries may be made at safetrailhorse@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI think there are more cons than pros to this training. To me, it is a low for riders to go to to achieve submission.
ReplyDeleteDressage is a beautiful sport, but such training makes you wonder just how many pro riders are involved.
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