Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect "Modern" Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health

by Heuschmann, Gerd; Abelshauser, Reina

• ISBN13: 9781570763755
• ISBN10: 1570763755
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-09-01
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Summary

Describing the basic anatomy and physiology of the horse, this book by an experienced veterinarian identifies widely-used incorrect training methodsespecially in dressagethat can undermine a horse's health and well-being. Starting with the questionWho 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.

Author Biography

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann is a veterinarian with a research interest in the training of horses in equestrian sports.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 11
Foreword	p. 13
Preface	p. 15
About the Author	p. 17
Who's Responsible for Today's Training Problems?	p. 19
Riders	p. 21
Breeders	p. 25
Judges	p. 27
Spectators	p. 33
Instructors and Trainers	p. 35
Riding According to Classical Principles: What Does It Mean?	p. 37
Basic Equine Anatomy	p. 43
The Horse, the "Unknown" Creature	p. 43
"The Head Must Be Down!"	p. 45
The Skeleton	p. 48
The "Upper Contraction System"	p. 54
The Nuchal Ligament	p. 54
The Supraspinous Ligament	p. 54
The Muscles	p. 54
The Long Back Muscle	p. 55
The "Lower Contraction System"	p. 59
The Neck Muscles	p. 62
The Muscles of the Croup and Hind Limbs	p. 68
Functional Connections-and Their Importance in Correct Training	p. 71
Passive Ligament System of the Trunk and the Cervical Spine	p. 71
The Effect of This Posture on the Spine	p. 72
Stretching Forward and Downward	p. 74
Why Is It So Important to Have a Loose Back with Supple Muscles?	p. 75
The Horse's Basic Gaits	p. 76
The Head-Neck Axis	p. 84
Relative Elevation: A "Carried" Back	p. 85
Absolute Elevation: A "Hollow" Back	p. 86
Hyperflexion aka Rollkur: An "Overstretched" Back	p. 88
A "Broken" Neckline	p. 92
Correct Physiological Training	p. 95
The Young Horse	p. 96
Lateral Movements	p. 98
Contact	p. 99
Using Draw Reins	p. 103
Ride Outdoors!	p. 104
Developing "Pushing Power" and Collection	p. 105
Anatomical Preconditions of the Horse	p. 108
Correct Collection-Is it Still in Demand?	p. 110
Training from a Veterinary Point of View	p. 115
Treatment and Correction	p. 119
Conclusions	p. 123
Closing Words	p. 124
The Great Importance of Looseness	p. 126
The Nine Ethical Principles of the True Horseman	p. 127
Afterword	p. 129
Bibliography and Recommended Reading	p. 131
Photo Credits	p. 133
Index	p. 135
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