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Jerre R
Member
Username: jerre
Post Number: 226
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 4:06 pm: |   |
I think I might be going crazy, but wasn't there a long discussion about the biomechanics of a gray mare in a prestigious dressage competition? I can't seem to find it anywhere. Maybe it was on another list. 
But, if it WAS here, here's an opinion from upper-level rider Karen Rohlf, who as recently refocused her career on combining dressage and natural horsemanship, through the Parelli program.
~~~~
yes I have seen this magnificent horse!
> than you for an excuse to watch her again.
> There are so many factors going into assessing what is going on, and each
individual
piece is a clue, but you cannot judge just on that...(I have seen horses being
abused and
there ears are forward...not in happiness, but in desperation)
> with this horse, this is how i look at it in order to make my best guess of
what is going
on:
> a.. she clearly puts her whole body into what she does, (her biomechanics
are very
very good) so not surprising that the tail could become involved
> b.. she otherwise looks focused and supple and calm
> c.. the tail carries well in between the swishes (not tight, clamped, rigid)
> d.. the swishing does happen more during certain movements, which indicates
it could
be effort related or related to ease/difficulty of a particular movement for her
> e.. I don't have enough information to know more about her actual mental
state.
> the only way to really know her mental/emotional state is to see her out of
the arena,
but I was not bothered by watching this performance at all...It is so important
to realize
the nature of the situation this video was taken in, and there are going to be
emotions
coming up...not all are negative. Intensity of focus and effort doesn't always
look 'happy'
but that doesn't necessarily mean the horse is abused or mistreated....watch a
good cow
horse during the moment of cutting and the ears are often pinned and the
expression is
quite intense. Of course because they are animals, we must look at these things
and
always take more responsibility than we do with ourselves in athletic endeavors,
because
we have a choice....but
> I loved watching this horse as it is a lovely example of dressage movement. I
am equally
curious about the rest of that horse's life, but i am not alarmed by watching
this video. I
dream the tail swishing is playful intensity on a horse that has incredible
elasticity and
mobility. I will not imagine anything worse than that without other
evidence....
> i recommend enjoying the video for what it is and learn as much as you can
about
dressage movement through it.
> I hope this helps!
> my Best,
> Karen |
Lilo
Member
Username: lilo
Post Number: 386
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 4:29 pm: | |
Great assessment. I watched the video, and was so impressed. When a horse is bothered by the aids they wring their tails, but that looks different, I think.
I am not an expert (only did baby dressage in my life) but I do love watching dressage.
Can't remember the title of the original thread either.
Lilo |
Corinne Meadows
Member
Username: corinne
Post Number: 864
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 4:34 pm: | |
I agree with Lilo and thanks for sharing. The other post was under magical musical freestyle. |
Lilo
Member
Username: lilo
Post Number: 387
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 4:43 pm: | |
http://www.horseadvice.com/cgi-bin/advisor/board-auth.cgi?file=/8/141409.html
Here is the link to the original discussion.
Lilo |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 903
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 8:41 pm: | |
Jerre,
Thanks so much for that assessment - very informative and confirmed what I thought - a lovely mare performing with her whole heart and sole. |
Jerre R
Member
Username: jerre
Post Number: 227
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 3, 2007 - 8:43 pm: | |
Well good, at least I wasn't imagining it!
Jerre |
