|
Post by narkymare on Dec 15, 2010 22:43:10 GMT 1
but do you think the horses enjoy it - to me, an untrained eye, it doesnt look natural, looks forced and uncomfortable for the horses. Please dont slate me if you disagree - just explain - im learning, open and wanting to hear new opinions - maybe its good exercise, muscle training? Im posting here as opposed to other forums because i know i will get an ionformative honest but not nasty answer here
|
|
|
Post by narkymare on Dec 15, 2010 22:44:50 GMT 1
their heads just look so low and uncomfortable ?
|
|
|
Post by jill on Dec 15, 2010 22:55:03 GMT 1
The best dressage isn't forced in any way, it is a natural progression involving developing the right muscles and treating the horse as an athlete. Which are the best in this sense I leave up to you to decide, but that is where expression comes in - you can't force sparkle and joi de vivre
|
|
|
Post by narkymare on Dec 15, 2010 22:57:54 GMT 1
ty jill x
|
|
steve
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,640
|
Post by steve on Dec 15, 2010 23:00:01 GMT 1
The true answer is no it shouldn't look unatural or uncomfortable!! However! We have to realise these horses are not really used to such electric atmospheres such as Olympia, it adds extra pressure to the horse and rider. Poor Laura has just demonstrated this, her horse should win this hands down, but he is so hot he had a lot of tension.
True dressage should show a horse light in the hand and in self carriage - but like most things this is ideal, and a work in progress!!
|
|
|
Post by narkymare on Dec 15, 2010 23:16:28 GMT 1
thank you for explaining - i sensed the horses were unhappy but never thought it was becuase they were in a show ring - ty x
|
|
|
Post by Louise C on Dec 15, 2010 23:37:43 GMT 1
Yes very different for them - some good stuff going on some bad like in most things! Loved the Fresian - but only really because I love hairy horses!
|
|
|
Post by julz on Dec 15, 2010 23:55:24 GMT 1
I used to take my Oldie to dressage and Yes he enjoyed it..... he would put everything into his performance.. I knew this by the time he took to recover from his wee outing.. I never did more than one test a time.. (he was 25 when i started doing dressage with him) and he really enjoyed his days off the yard... be it dressage or showing...he really rose to the occasion.
I'm not sure if my other horse enjoyed it as much though.... He really enjoyed his jumping more.
|
|
|
Post by narkymare on Dec 16, 2010 0:08:22 GMT 1
i ended up posting on a different forum - ty all heer for being so polite - thing is i dont understand so want people to explain - i need ot learn so so much x
|
|
|
Post by lizpurlo on Dec 16, 2010 0:10:48 GMT 1
There's a very good expression - 'when Force comes in the door, Beauty flies out the window'.... dressage is supposed to make horses look more beautiful, but much of it just makes them look squidged up with big heads and short crunched up necks. The Lipizzaner is not a conventionally beautiful looking horse, but under saddle in the Spanish Riding School of Vienna he looks graceful, noble and completely at one with his rider. Worth having a look for a clip of the Spanish Riding School, I reckon!
|
|
|
Post by narkymare on Dec 16, 2010 1:35:35 GMT 1
im looking liz!!!!
|
|
|
Post by rj on Dec 16, 2010 10:35:55 GMT 1
Isn't just very much a case of finding GOOD dressage to watch? And what that means, well - have you looked at the other thread on here - someone put up a 'which of these horses is working better' what's the link to that? You would learn a lot about what other people think from that thread as well as helping to form your own opinions. To my mind, the higher the level of competition in most things, not just horses, the less of the original intention remains. eg; Human gymnasts become contortionists rather than showing the grace balance and energy of their natural forms.
|
|
|
Post by jennyb on Dec 16, 2010 10:52:54 GMT 1
lizpurlo - Gazdag is offended by your comment and says that he is a beautiful Lipizzaner: I know what you mean though, as a breed they are not the most attractive to look at in the field, but there are exceptions like Gazdag!
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Dec 16, 2010 10:58:43 GMT 1
.... dressage is supposed to make horses look more beautiful, but much of it just makes them look squidged up with big heads and short crunched up necks. This is the problem, I think humans sometimes loose sight of the natural grace and beauty of horses and force them into some sort of tortuous parody of their ideal! This is NOT a thought covering all dressage btw, there is some beautiful stuff out there imo as well as the bad. It seems to me dressage is teaching the horse that you want collection, extention etc. from signals and building their bodies to maintain this for extended periods, so anything 'forced' is the result of inadequate teaching and communication/relationship/riding in my eyes. Horses can do all this stuff easily when there is a reason in their eyes.
|
|
|
Post by jill on Dec 16, 2010 11:45:28 GMT 1
Horses can do all this stuff easily when there is a reason in their eyes. Dressage is training horses to do on cue and carrying weight all movements they do naturally at liberty - you will see horses collect, extend, move laterally and even do airs above the ground in the field
|
|