Shades of grey.

[Claire Louise]

I have been riding since I was two, I started teaching at the age of 16. I have all my exams and teaching qualifications, I have a college diploma in equine science, I'm reading all these threads(thinking how good this site is) and realising that untill instructors start teaching a set all over the world the industry will always be living in shades of grey.

In britain we are told to canter outside leg behind the girth on the continent inside leg infront, Western reining and "english" riding, I think what we all need to realise is that there is no black and white, No one can say any one is definately wrong, with the exception of cruelty, for every argument there is a counter argument, for every question there is a thousand answers. It is no wonder this industry confuses so many people and there are so many arguments within it.

[Tootsie4U]

This is true.

It is also true that with horses black and white is required and with all that informaiton flying around, it makes it hard for us to get out of the grey area. Funny.

[Claire Louise]

maybe we should all work in PURPLE!!!!!!!!!

Or GREEN(I'm Irish)

[Silver1]

I work in the "If its black and white and she only responds to pink, its pink."

[Tootsie4U]

And thats why your horse is so well trained Silver ;) Good for you!

[kedwards]

So true, CL. I hope instructors don't start teaching a set way throughout the world. I'm fascinated by the variety of equestrian disciplines, the variety in ideals of horse movement, and that sort of thing. In the States, dressage, Western, hunters, jumpers, and saddle seat are all quite popular. Most of the core principles of riding and training hold true regardless of the discipline or type of horse, but there certainly are distinct differences. As with differences in people, I think they should be celebrated.

I love those shades of gray!

[Shiny McShine]

Yes I think it is good to have so many options to consider, that means you can always look at things through a new perspective, learn new things, and find something that suits you. Of course in our individual approach we do need to be more black and white... ie. consistent and clear in what we are doing.