| View Larger Image | If Horses Could Speak: How Incorrect "Modern" Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health | DVDStarring: Gerd Heuschmann
| List Price: | $59.95 | |
| | Binding: | DVD | | Format: | NTSC | | Studio: | Trafalgar Square Books | | Number of Discs: | | | Sales Rank: | 45,475th |
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CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 3 reviews)
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Watch, read, act and spread the word! by Tjerk (Continental Europe)  5 Stars
November 04, 2009
Hopefully this DVD and the accompanying book, will revert riders and trainers of horses to friendlier and more durable methods of training horses. For a good few years a slow but noticeable aversion has spread over certain "modern" training methods. What is this about? Why? Indeed we have swerved a long way from patient, animal friendly expectations of these animals on whom we should feel priveleged of mounting and enjoying every step of a well planned and executed training programme. I first came into contact with the makers of the DVD at a convention in Ireland, where I saw first hand how the amazing 3D animations of the horse's muscoskeletal system would illustrate it's natural and man-induced unnatural movement as discussed on this DVD. The result is amazing and should ideally be seen in conjunction with the book.
Mind you all: the DVD is not amusing at all. Instead, it clearly and clinically illustrates todays alarming techniques that have found their way into equestrianism and are supposed to train horses from an outline that dressage judges seem to prefer and admire, having little eye for clear irregularities in the horse's gaits, caused by incorrect riding and training.
Perhaps, just maybe, the world's best can practice these training methods safely. But the vast majority of riders and trainers copies them, unwillingly without empathy, without patience and with little or no understanding, repeatedly damaging horses limbs and spine, expecting them to reach a very high level of competence in dressage at an age of only five or just over. Today it is about the quick resale value of the horse, about the glory of the rider, quick fixes seemingly supported by "modern" training techniques. Low and round carriage of the horse's neck and head during training are seen as proof of submission and an advanced level of competence. Wide spread stupidity and ignorance of riders and trainers and on many occasions a staggering incompetence of dressage judges around the globe is causing massive and wide spread harm to horses' physique. I see it live, every day, with my own eyes. It is heart wrenching. If horses could speak, there wouldn't be so many "mysterious" lamenesses. If horses could speak they would tell us it's their back that makes their walk choppy, not an ailment located in the lower leg. Or indeed pain in a limb caused by a forced way of going. Never mind expensive scientifically proven joint supplements, state-of-the art stable and field blankets, flashy bridleware, designer clothes and impeccably white training wraps. Start thinking all over again: If horses could speak, they would shout at us as by now we are wearing them out prematurely. But they don't. Nobody does.
A radical change in expectations versus time has to be readopted, as used to generally be the case only half a century ago and as it still is commonsense among a few trainers and renowned equestrian centres. A durable result and continuous health, performance and happiness of a horse can only be realised by reevaluating our training, judging methods and understanding of quality of the horses' gaits. All persons involved in dressage and basic flatwork training, riding and judging should be aware of the thorough scientific evidence that is so clearly shown on this DVD. The equestrian world is very much on the wrong track not having signalled and halted these wide spread practices, bar some individuals and organisations. Horses would have told us that a long time ago. If they could speak.
Instead they seem to be doomed to let us carry on without us understanding basic biomechanical principles that are so graphically illustrated in this valuable pair of a book and a DVD. Watch, read, act and spread the word and we will be worth the glory we work towards. The glory of the combined performance of truly good training and the amazing willingness and ability of our horses.
Worth five stars as six are not an option.
Severely recommended: Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage: Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health
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If Horses Could Speak by Nina T. Hawker 5 Stars
November 01, 2009
This is an excellent follow up to the book: Tug A War. The video gives examples of diagrammatic visuals for how muscles work in coordination with specific movements within the horses skeletal frame. I am a visual learner. Therefore, the video has fine-tuned my ability to discern good from bad riding. I am amazed at how many famous, world class competitive riders, are doing it all wrong for crowd pleasing purposes at the expense of the well being of their horses. I cannot believe how the current international judges are rewarding these riders for the leg moving health compromised performance horses.
Thank you to the author for being brave enough to take the stance of telling us the truth in spite of going against all of the competitive riders who use horses as a means to an end. These beautiful animals give us so much and they do not deserve to be exploited and broken for the sake of our arrogance and greed.
Bravo again to this author!
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Finally a Scientific Explanation of Hyperflexion by R. williams 5 Stars
September 21, 2009
This provocative and ground-breaking film, If Horses Could Speak, is based on the best-selling book Tug of War: "Modern" versus Classical Dressage--a book that shook the equestrian industry upon its initial release around the world. Now, you can take a step further into the examination of the horse's "riding experience" and see just how specific kinds of movement and posture impact the horse's skeleton and musculature.
Through the magic of amazing three-dimensional animation--as never-before-seen in an equestrian video of this kind--viewers are shown how the horse's limbs, muscles, and ligaments interact at various gaits. In addition, live-action examples of riding, both good and bad, demonstrate the effect human beings have on their equine "partners." Viewers are sure to be astounded by the direct role their riding has on their horse's physical and mental health and well-being.
If Horses Could Speak includes interviews with professional riders, veterinarians, and academics who specialize in the study of the horse's anatomy and how riders can best work with it, rather than against it. Plus, shocking clips from warm-up arenas around the world expose the dark side of competitive horse sport. Altogether an illuminating and eye-opening visual experience, this DVD is not to be missed by anyone who desires to train and ride horses in a way that nurtures and builds them up, rather than wears them out and tears them apart.
DR. GERD HEUSCHMANN trained as a Bereiter (master rider) in Germany before qualifying for veterinary study at Munich University. There he specialized in equine orthopedics for two years before accepting a post as the head of the breeding department at the German FN, which he eventually left to start his own practice in Warendorf. He has been an active member of the "hyperflexion" (previously referred to as Rollkur) debate, weighing in at the 2005 USDF National Symposium and the 2006 FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop. Along with Klaus Balkenhol and other prominent figures in the dressage community, Dr. Heuschmann is a founding member of "Xenophon," an organization dedicated to "fighting hard against serious mistakes in equestrian sport" ([...]).
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SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
| Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage: Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health
by Gerd Heuschmann (Author)
Describing the basic anatomy and physiology of the horse, this book by an experienced veterinarian identifies widely-used incorrect training methods—especially in dressage—that can undermine a horse's health and well-being. Starting with the question Who is responsible for this? the book looks at breeders, breed associations, instructors, judges, riders, spectators, and the governing bodies of horse sports. The hyperflexion issue, the discussion shows, is that training affects horses...
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| Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind: Gentle Gymnastic Training Techniques
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Recognizing that modern day dressage has become more of a sport than an art form, this guide advocates for a revival of schooling that emphasizes pleasure for both the horse and the rider. The discussion focuses first on how the rider learns in the classical system and then turns to the selection and management of the horse. Addressed to riders of all ages and skill levels—and to animal lovers generally—this moving appeal successfully showcases a humane riding tradition.
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| Gallop to Freedom: Training Horses with the Founding Stars of Cavalia
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In a delightful series of conversations, this copiously illustrated handbook demonstrates how to read horse behavior as well as how to develop a better partnership with horses. Balancing friendship and leadership, this guidebook presents the tools to appreciate horses in either a casual or performance environment. Written by two of the equine artists from Cavalia, an equestrian-themed show, this dynamic book features the author's own horses as well as other...
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| Horse Training In-Hand: A Modern Guide to Working from the Ground: Long Lines, Long and Short Reins, Work on the Longe
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Bringing new life to time-tested techniques, this gorgeously illustrated book shows how "in-hand" methods can be used by the modern equestrian to better a horse's performance in any discipline. Thorough, step-by-step instructions for promoting subtle communication via the handler's voice, body, and reins will improve the horse's straightness, suppleness, balance, collection, and understanding of the aids. With its ability to improve communication between participants and instill in the horse...
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| Dressage School: A Sourcebook of Movements and Tips Demonstrated by Olympian Isabell Werth
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In this fantastically detailed and uniquely organized reference, 2008 Olympic gold and silver medal-winner Isabell Werth demonstrates the what, the how, and—most importantly—the why of more than 100 dressage movements. She shows readers how each should look, explains common mistakes and how to avoid them, and then describes the benefit of the exercise and how it contributes to the dressage training scale. In addition, emphasis is placed on the horse as an...
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