More Than Money : The Thoroughbred Horse

2013 Kentucky Derby Winner being awarded

I am happy to see a report coming to the public that addresses the downward spiral of Thoroughbreds in racing here in the USA. I am not a large supporter of the Thoroughbred racing industry, long have I seen it as being money motivated as the primary with the horse falling to the wayside as a disposable commodity. I am very happy to hear the round-table discussion going on that addresses factors such as not putting the horse first among other ideas… check it out for yourself.

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Erica Franz

I've been riding since I was 9, and in love with horses from the day I was born. Living in Washington with my horse and 5 dogs.

Rollkur at World Equestrian Games - Isabell Werth and Parzival

In The Media | Rollkur & LDR

2010 WEG Demonstrates Hyperflexion

September 28, 2010March 2, 2014

8 Comments

Despite the FEI’s ruling that Rollkur is a banned practice, and instead has favored the use of LDR (Low, Deep, Round), there is plenty of evidence to the contrary that hyperflexion is a norm for competitors. The World Equestrian Games, hosted in Kentucky this year is already proving the perfect grounds to spot the practice in person.

Alexander Rath rides Totilas in Rollkur during a warm-up

In The Media | Rollkur & LDR

Switzerland Criminalizes Hyperflexion

January 4, 2014February 21, 2014

Finally, a step in the right direction! Switzerland officials enacted a law prohibiting the use of hyperflexion (aka Rollkur) in their country. While this doesn’t solve the big picture of horse abuse created by extreme flexion of the horse’s neck, it is an improvement over the fictitious ban created by the FEI.

Two kids lead a miniature horse over a small jump

The Art Of...

Relaxation is a Virtue : Calm, Forward, Straight

July 2, 2009March 2, 2014

1 Comment

When training the horse relaxation must come first. Anything we gain in ‘training’ without the horse being relaxed is compromised. Any measure of tension prevents him from fully committing to your request.

Now, the rub is that most training methods are built upon manipulating and maintaining some measure of tension in the horse.

Monty Roberts riding a horse in sliding stop.

In The Media

The Confusing Clarification of the Monty Roberts Abuse Video

November 7, 2017November 7, 2017

1 Comment

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…

Wearing a helmet is a slight inconvenience in order to ensure you live a fuller life.

In The Media

Wear a Damn Helmet Already

June 28, 2014June 27, 2014

We’re all invincible, until we aren’t. But more than saving your own neck, wearing a helmet could save the people around you from a whole lot of heartache. Unless you’re so heartless you don’t care…

Riding | The Art Of...

Simplicity of the Aids – Part I

August 31, 2006December 2, 2016

5 Comments

Perhaps the first point to make on the definition of aid, is that in no way does the meaning ever describe it as a means of control. The aids that the rider uses, are meant not as a way to force, coerce or otherwise take away the will, freedom or direction of the horse, the aids are there to help support the horse in his own natural abilities, if you will.