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| Discussion on Feedback on dressage mare with twisty tail | |
| Author | Message |
| Member: jerre |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 4:06 pm: I think I might be going crazy, but wasn't there a long discussion about the biomechanics of a gray mare in a prestigious dressage competition? I can't seem to find it anywhere. Maybe it was on another list. But, if it WAS here, here's an opinion from upper-level rider Karen Rohlf, who as recently refocused her career on combining dressage and natural horsemanship, through the Parelli program. ~~~~ yes I have seen this magnificent horse! > than you for an excuse to watch her again. > There are so many factors going into assessing what is going on, and each individual piece is a clue, but you cannot judge just on that...(I have seen horses being abused and there ears are forward...not in happiness, but in desperation) > with this horse, this is how i look at it in order to make my best guess of what is going on: > a.. she clearly puts her whole body into what she does, (her biomechanics are very very good) so not surprising that the tail could become involved > b.. she otherwise looks focused and supple and calm > c.. the tail carries well in between the swishes (not tight, clamped, rigid) > d.. the swishing does happen more during certain movements, which indicates it could be effort related or related to ease/difficulty of a particular movement for her > e.. I don't have enough information to know more about her actual mental state. > the only way to really know her mental/emotional state is to see her out of the arena, but I was not bothered by watching this performance at all...It is so important to realize the nature of the situation this video was taken in, and there are going to be emotions coming up...not all are negative. Intensity of focus and effort doesn't always look 'happy' but that doesn't necessarily mean the horse is abused or mistreated....watch a good cow horse during the moment of cutting and the ears are often pinned and the expression is quite intense. Of course because they are animals, we must look at these things and always take more responsibility than we do with ourselves in athletic endeavors, because we have a choice....but > I loved watching this horse as it is a lovely example of dressage movement. I am equally curious about the rest of that horse's life, but i am not alarmed by watching this video. I dream the tail swishing is playful intensity on a horse that has incredible elasticity and mobility. I will not imagine anything worse than that without other evidence.... > i recommend enjoying the video for what it is and learn as much as you can about dressage movement through it. > I hope this helps! > my Best, > Karen |
| Member: lilo |
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| Member: corinne |
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| Member: lilo |
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| Member: canter |
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| Member: jerre |
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