Remarks posted by Megan Preisler at Lonely T Ranch about riding lame horses are something altogether different. WTF is that?! A lame horse has more heart because this crazy nut-job forces them to work through the pain?! Megan Preisler is really fond of riding horses who are not just a little lame, but founder lame.…
If Dressage Could Save Itself
Just a few days ago I wrote about how unacceptable it was that Shelley Browning, an amateur Dressage rider, was allowed to complete not one but two rides at a show the weekend before. Her ride was not upsetting because she simply lacked skill, it was upsetting because of the mistreatment and abuse she doled…
Shelley Browning Demonstrates Blatant Abuse in a Dressage Test
UPDATE [01-26-2018]: A recording of the Friday ride has been shared with me, and posted. You’ll find it at the bottom of the article, after the commentary from her Thursday ride. The commentary is still from Axel Steiner, but the audio does cut out part-way through the video. UPDATE [01-28-2018]: Details about the judges and…
A Case of Clinicianitis
Following the Gerry Cox article and some of the conversation that came up with it. I have to say, I have had clinicianitis for a long time. I’m allergic to clinicians and their bullshit. I’m not talking about people who mostly train and instruct, but do some clinics on the side. I’m talking about those…
Gerry Cox Needs a Horsemanship Lesson
See Update Below. I’m absolutely stunned. I wasn’t expecting to see what I did in this video from Gerry Cox. I’m not 100% sure what I was expecting because so much horsemanship is a blatant demonstration of putting the horse last and the rider first. It wasn’t that long ago that we saw Jørgen Olsen…
How Archaic Are Cribbing Rings?
How is this the first time I’m hearing about cribbing rings? Maybe you aren’t familiar with them either. They aren’t something I would ever imagine on my own. How does anyone, especially those committed to the health and welfare of the horse (looking at you apparent idiots Veterinarians), think to themselves “this is a great idea!”?…
Rollkur Started with Nicole Uphoff & Isabell Werth
Wait, what?! Because they’re so popular, many people assume that the abusive training method of Rollkur began with Anky van Grunsven and her coach-turned-husband Sjef Janssen. Nope, not true. Before Sjef & Anky, there was Nicole & Isabell. At Aachen in 1995, both Isabell Werth and Nicole Uphoff were seen using hyperflexion with their horses.…
More Evidence the FEI Supports Horse Abuse
Just a few days ago, the FEI suspended Danish 5-star judge Leif Törnblad on the basis of a complaint made by the Dutch Equestrian Federation. Members of the Dutch Equestrian Federation include Sjef Janssen and Anky van Grunsven, who openly use and promote the abusive training method of Rollkur, aka LDR. Why is this important?…
The Confusing Clarification of the Monty Roberts Abuse Video
Back in 2014, I asked the question, “is it ever right to passively witness horse abuse?” in response to a video that shows Monty Roberts attending an event which included horrific and prolonged abuse of a horse. This article is related to that article, I recommend you read it for context (even if you choose…
8 Ways to Create a Highly Effective Learning Environment for Your Horse
We are wholly responsible for our horse’s learning environment. Not just actual training interactions, but even the daily care of your horse can affect their learning. With that in mind, here are some techniques to create a highly effective learning environment for your horse. 1. Encourage the Horse to Ask Questions Say what? The horse, ask…
Dressage in Crisis
Dressage is experiencing a major crisis. This is not new, there has been a Dressage crisis happening for more than a decade. Competitive Dressage has been actively rewarding individuals who abuse their horses in the open for personal gain, with no end in sight. The term “Classical Dressage” is being used by individuals who do…
Jørgen Olsen, Master of Yanking on Horse’s Mouths
Jørgen Olsen is a horseman from Denmark, and according to Eurodressage, Jørgen Olsen is the “Master of Piaffe”. I think they got confused and meant to say he’s the “Master of Yanking on Horse’s Mouths” instead. “If there were a Piaffe World Championship, in which each participant had ten horses to work with, I am sure that…
Link Between Autism and Dummy Foal Syndrome?
According to UC Davis researchers, there might be a link between Autism in humans, and neonatal maladjustment syndrome (aka Dummy Foal Syndrome) in horses. “Using data from the foal research, Pessah, Madigan and Aleman are working with environmental epidemiologist Irva Hertz-Picciotto at the UC Davis MIND Institute to investigate neurosteroids in children with varying degrees…
How We Ignore Our Horse’s Fear
Every day, equestrians of every discipline openly ignore the horse’s fear or choose to explain it away instead of confronting it head-on. The list of excuses is nearly endless, but so many try to claim the fear we incite is nothing worse than the horse would experience in nature, or is better than that which…
Riding Horses After a Broken Neck
I know several equestrians who have broken their neck and suffered worse pain and limitations than I have. This is the account of my own personal experience. Please note that my experience is not identical to everyone who has suffered a similar injury. In late 2013, I fell and broken my neck. I didn’t go…
What the Best Ride Ever Feels Like
I just got home from riding and have to say, without a doubt it was the best ride of my life. When I told my husband this, he asked: “didn’t you just have the best ride of your life yesterday too?” – Yes, I did! It just keeps getting better. After riding for more than…