Any Equestrians Here?

[barry1010]

Simple question - is dressage cruel?
It looks as unnatural as ballerinas dancing en pointe.

[lankeela]

Nonsense - it is the ultimate partnership of horse and rider and without a co-operative horse then you would stand no chance. Every move is carried out with the minimum of movement of the rider and the horse responds to the mildest of physical instruction. They also have to be incredibly fit and the rider has to have a intimate knowledge of each horse to get the best out of them. Even the best trained dressage horse would not respond in the same way to another rider getting on it. They work as a team and train for many hours to perfect each element of the test.

[calmck]

It all depends on how the horses are trained. All horses can do dressage steps/moves. Some horses are natural jumpers, some better for eventing. A lot depends on the blood lines. Here everyone who wants to compete in national and international competitions have to pass a series of tests Selas first. These cover all aspects of horse care, stable care. Feed and vet care. Equipment and its usage and a Dressage and Jumping test. All horses can perform the dressage moves required. I watched a rehearsal of the Lippizaner horses in Vienna. These are bred for dressage. The horses seemed to enjoy what they were being asked to do. I don't know if any questionable training methods had been used. My granddaughters show jumpers enjoy jumping and can feel the tension and excitement at competitions. Her older pony enjoys "hacking" in the country around the house and just chilling in the paddock

[barry1010]

Thanks both.

[ToraToraTora]

no, ever tried to get a horse to do something it doesn't want to do?

[barry1010]

I haven’t, TTT, but I have witnessed it, unfortunately

[jno]

maybe - this was an issue back before the 2012 Olympics

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jan/03/olympics-row-over-horse-cruelty

[Peter Pedant]

well that is your answer innit
it isnt cruel to bally-rinas - - ( no not dressage, you dope, of course THAT isnt cruel to ballerinas)

er no - yes equestrian in the family and horsey likes human contact.

[Peter Pedant]

// ever tried to get a horse to do something it doesn't want to do?//

no I have tried it with an ABer and its bloody impossible ter-daah !