ROLLKUR - Huff and Puff Training and Leadership by William Micklem

Comment

Comment by susie nicolson on March 11, 2010 at 10:46am

2 quote RNH,its ugly and its wrong, i,ll b more rude about it.

Comment by William Micklem on February 22, 2010 at 7:46am

Hi Jo..I think we are on the same page..William

Comment by Jo on February 22, 2010 at 6:07am

No, it is NOT acceptable. These training methods are as much about manipulating the horse psychologically as physically - in fact more so. The fixed, forced (these horses are not adopting these positions voluntarily) positions impede movement because of the negative effect on the locomotory aparatus of the back and hind limbs. The positions are so far removed from being a stretching, suppling ( muscle-lengthening, increase the range of motion through one or more joints) exercise. In crude terms, the neck is compressed, fixed and restricted and field of view impaired and restricted. I believe this position, and variations on it, are used to force a horse into pychological submission. The FEI training objectives speak of submission - perhaps this should be changed to co-operation with rider. Acceptance of aids has it's own training objective.
The fixed nature of the dun pony's position is particularly concerning - there will be no giving of the hand here.

Regarding the FEI statement about agressive use of ..... immediately I read this, I was cynical enough to see semantics being employed as a get-out clause. The use of double bridles, with their undeniable leverage, precludes the need for agression. I am not criticising their use, but that is why a shank and fulcrum (curb chain, leather or rubber) are used - leverage. Leverage is used to induce the horse to show flexion at the poll and jaw with a lighter, less perceptible aid from the rider.