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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | | | | 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 both for good and for ill, and riders should reject any methods that cause pain or fail to respect the mental habits and physiological needs of their animals. | | | |
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| | Product Details | | Author: | Gerd Heuschmann | | Hardcover: | 144 pages | | Publisher: | Trafalgar Square Books | | Publication Date: | September 01, 2007 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 1570763755 | | Package Length: | 9.3 inches | | Package Width: | 7.0 inches | | Package Height: | 0.7 inches | | Package Weight: | 1.15 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 29 reviews |
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| | Features | ISBN13: 9781570763755Condition: NEWNotes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Eventing, showjumping or dressage riders: Must read, must do! Jan 25, 2010
The best news for me, was that this book ended up on back order for me, since it was so popular that it had to be reprinted. I did get the DVD before the book and I find it extremely illustrative and complimentary to the contents of the book.
Finally a respected veterinarian and rider of highly trained callibre calls upon riders , judges and trainers to review what is happening everywhere. Usually we seem to have a good feeling that something is amiss, not right, painful or ineffective. I doubt that many of us haven't had that feeling about using the seemingly effective but harsh training methods in our sport. Gerd Heuschmann may now have reassured us that some of us were right and hopefully succeeds in convincing many of us that they are still applying counterproductive, harmful and animal unfriendly training methods.
The book is written in a very useful order, starting with the bits of anatomy that are key to understanding why new training techniques cannot be applied to an animal which has evolved over millions of years for a different purpose than being ridden. It culminates in the adverse effects that "modern" techniques have on the gaits.
Some of the text has been translated into strange English, but is still very understandable. The anatomical descriptions are not always completely accurate and may need better illustration. But hey, the DVD is also for sale and answers it all! About one or two photo's I would have liked to read a more justified comment. But other than that, this is the best wake-up call the equestrian sport community could have gotten.
Read, act, and spread the word! Nov 05, 2009
For a good few years a slow but noticeable aversion has spread over certain "modern" training methods. What is this about? Why? "Modern" usually means "surpassed by ancient". "Classical" dressage therefore, may prompt associations with baroque riding, the Wiener Hofreitschule and definitely not with todays mainstream equestrian sport. Nothing could be further from the truth, is what this book clearly advocates.
Indeed we have swerved a long way from patient, animal friendly expectations of our horses 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 author, a leading German equine veterinary doctor, 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 the DVD. The result is amazing and should ideally be seen in conjunction with the book. At last a bright light is shed on the discussions about dressage training methods, the foundation of all equestrian disciplines. A discussion that really shouldn't be "A Tug of War", let alone subject of a modern training principle.
Mind you all: the book and DVD are not amusing at all. Instead, they clearly and clinically illustrate todays alarming techniques and appalling performance and clinical results that have found their way into equestrianism and are supposed to rapidly train horses towards an outline that dressage judges seem to prefer and admire, having little eye for the resulting clear irregularities in the horse's balance and gaits. The sheer fact that this "modern" way of riding has become more of a rule than an exception, makes it a method and is indeed widely adopted, to the dismay of equine veterinary author Gerd Heuschmann.
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 a rider induced tension in their back that makes them 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.
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 explained in the book and shown on the 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. Now this invaluable pair of a book and DVD speaks for them, and for those early warriors for the good cause, who have had trouble getting their message across to the equestrian community which is mostly not aware of how far todays training techniques have swerved away from the patient, efficient and empathic "classical" dressage.
Without such a clear description of the balance, biomechanics and "modern" training methods, horses seem to be doomed to let us carry on without us understanding basic 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.
Accompanying DVD strongly recommended: DVD: If Horses Could Speak: How Incorrect "Modern" Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health
 Wish it had even more examples of "wrong" Jul 15, 2009
The anatomy discussions in the book are pretty intense. Generally people agree when they see a horse and rider performing good work that it is good. It is clear pictures of bad work that need highlighting, especially when it is bad work that is being rewarded by judges. This book goes a long way in to that line. I was hoping for even more comparisons of "wrong" vs "right".
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
About time, too! Jun 29, 2009
I've been enjoying this book immensely. It has really made me think about the way I ride and the way I teach. I used to work at an equine veterinary facility and I have seen first hand the enormous amounts of injuries to come from the race track and the dressage barn. I often wondered how it could be that there could be so many dressage injuries when I was always taught that dressage is about looseness and making and keeping your horse supple and useful into old age. This book explains why in a simple and elegant fashion. I certainly hope that more people read it and become mindful of the message ...
GREAT BOOK!!!!! May 11, 2009
A timely book in this era of competitive dressage for the thinking and critical horseperson. I attended his seminar and clinic, and it is a MUST SEE! He is a master horse trainer for our generation.
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