OUCH! Im disgusted

[Kezzabelle]

Hi! Ive just read The Kinder Way to Ride on the site. I was reading about how it must feel for a horse when you leg it on. I tried the test of hitting my own ribs and now i understand how it must feel for a horse.

I remembered one of my very first riding lessons when i was around 10 years old, my instructor was complaining that if i flapped my legs anymore then I would fly away. She then walked over to me and told me to pretend that the horses sides where someone I really hated and i was to kick them as hard as i could. Thinking back im really disgusted at that woman, this was also the same woman that one of the horses i was riding bolted from when she walked towards us.

Having taken a three year break from riding im finall going back, and im looking forward to it but im never going back to that riding school, im looking forward to being taught be a properly qualified instructor.

Kez x

[ros]

Good for you!

[Kerry's Partner]

I listened to my hairdresser telling me a tale of the same "ilk" yesterday. I find I get less tolerant yet probably shouldn't because of my very relative inexperience - but it does make me so angry.

I've just had a conversation, strangely, about cats and dogs. My point is that some of the people who instruct in this way would never generate the same attitude toward their cats and dogs - perhaps because the cats would claw them and the dogs would bite them!!!!!!!!!!

[Sue Watson]

Giving the horse a damn good boot is considered the height of good practice in some circles - I went to the BD annual convention a couple of years ago and Conrad Schumacher was strutting his stuff in the arena advising one guinea pig to turn on the forehand really give the horse a boot and trot off in order to lift its forehand and engage the hindquarters. The horse duly performed and they all got a round of applause. Beating the ****e out of a horse will work because they are generous beasts on the whole. There seems to be a school of dressage riders who have completely lost the plot. Its SUPPOSED to be "the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, thus acheiving perfect understanding with his rider"

ps that quote is not from some 'fluffy new age alternative cuddly bunny' riding book but is the FEI Dressage definition and we didn't see much of it at the WEG - a show case for dressage perfection (not).

[Kerry's Partner]

I expect I might get into a lot of trouble for this BUT: perhaps Conrad (or the horse he was riding) needs to have some lessons (or schooling) from Sue!!!!!!!!!!

Kerry doesn't need any excuse at all to turn on her forehand and she certainly doesn't need a boot!!!!!!!!