I promise

Within the past year, there has been much controversy over a training method known as rollkur. This method is known by many names including hyperflexion, and low-deep-and-round (LDR). It involves horses being ridden with their nose's far past the vertical, often bent deeply to one direction or the other. While I do not know enough horse biomechanics say whether or not this practice is physically damaging, I can say that I have never seen a horse being trained with this method that looks happy. The most troubling thing in my opinion about this practice is the heavy handedness of the riders that employ it.


Public controversy over the use of this method began when video footage of grand prix dressage rider, Patrick Kittel, was released that showed him holding his reins so tightly that his horse's tongue turned blue. Anky Van Grunsven, the sweetheart of Dutch dressage (and cowgirl wannabe), openly uses and defends the technique claiming that it necessary to work certain muscles in her horses' bodies, but I am far from convinced that these heavy-handed methods are necessary.

While the dressage world has taken the most heat for use of rollkur, it is widley used across disciplines from hunter/jumper to western. In the jumper ring it is common to see horses and riders involved in an all out tug-o-war. It seems to me that riders as a whole are becoming less and less willing to put in the work required to train a horse correctly, and would rather do it quickly than do it right.

There are still many riders out there at the top who do put in the extra work to do things right . Adelinde Cornellissen has a lovely and soft way of riding her powerful gelding (not to mention the giant hug he receives after his final salute), Jerich Parzival, which is probably why she is capable of winning so often with a notoriously temperamental horse. Rodrigo Pessoa is able to win grand prix jump-offs with horses that appear so relaxed they could be on a leisurely hack. It is obvious that these riders truly love and respect their horses. These are the riders I look up to and will strive to emulate.

Today I make a promise to any and all horses I may train, ride, or own in the future, that I will do my very best to do things right and always put your well being and happiness ahead quick results.

Happily ever after?

So what happens to all those mustangs that are put up for adoption each year? It would be nice to think that each one finds a wonderful owner and then ride off happily into the sunset. Unfortunately, such a fairytale ending is not common for these horses. Many well-intentioned people adopt mustangs without giving much thought to what caring for and training a wild animal will actually entail. This is not an endeavor one should not take lightly, and should really only be considered by someone with experience, or someone willing to enlist the help of a capable trainer.

While in college, I spent time working at Ever After Mustang Rescue, a place that took in mustangs, trained them, and then placed in approved homes. Most of the horses there were surrendered by owners that realized they were not qualified to train a wild horse. Many came to the rescue neglected, abused, and more fearful of humans than they were when they were wild, but with the hard work and dedication of rescue coordinator, Mona Jerome, many of these horses have been trained and placed with loving families.

While there are many similar rescue facilities, there aren't nearly enough to handle the number of untrained and unwanted wild horses in the country. Just yesterday I went to look at a young, mustang gelding who was purchased at the Eugene livestock auction, and is on his way back there at the end of the month. He is barely halter broke and spends all of his time in a muddy round pen with a leaky run-in shelter. While very cute, he isn't exactly what I am looking for. He is just over 14 h and at six years old, he probably doesn't have much growing left. He also doesn't quite have the build I am looking for in a dressage mount (though I think he'd make a killer little event pony). I was tempted to take him just to relieve him of his current situation, but reminded myself that I will be saving any BLM horse I choose to adopt from a similar fate, so I might as well get one that meets my needs.


Far too many adopted mustangs end up like this little gelding; untrained, getting passed from home to home. Mustangs have the potential to make wonderful horses, but do require a bit more work initially. If you are considering adopting, please really think about what you are getting yourself into.

Inspiration

Here is a link to a video of Padre, the beautiful mustang stallion that won the dressage suitability stallion class at the Devon horse show this year. Not only is Padre an inspiration, but his rider with her fantastic seat, and beautiful soft hands, really gives me something to aspire to.

Padre schooling 3rd level

Links

BLM adoption website

Ever After Mustang Rescue

Run Henny Run

Dearborn Dressage

Murphy Eventing

Lovely Blogspot: regarding the lovely aspects of life

Herds of interest

The BLM adoption center is currently home to over 500 horses, and that number is sure to increase after the next round-up. That is a lot of horses to look at, and only a fraction will fit my criteria which includes:
- Uphill build
- Elegant movement
- Between the ages of 2 and 4
- Height of over 15 hands when fully mature
- Being pretty is a plus

In order to narrow down the number of horses to look at, I have looked into what particular herds are most likely to possess the characteristics I am looking for.

The first herd that struck my attention is the Stinkingwater herd. Horses in this herd tend to be on the larger side and have a relatively uphill build. The horse in the photo to the left is a 2-year-old filly from this herd, and has quite a nice build. Some horses from this herd however have long backs and short legs, which would not be ideal for dressage. I also learned that horses from this herd are notoriously difficult to train due to their strong "fight or flight" instinct which will be important to keep in mind while choosing a horse for myself.



Another herd I am interested in is the famous Kiger herd. Horses in this herd are known for having a strong Spanish influence in their genetic make-up, extravagant movement with expressive front legs, and beautiful buckskin coloring. The horse in the photo to the right is an example of a Kiger mustang and, boy does he take my breath away. Horses from the Kiger herd are also suppose to be quite docile and easily trained. One disadvantage to Kigers is that because of their beauty and trainability, they are often adopted very quickly, or auctioned for high prices (I guess really only a disadvantage to me, but an advantage for them). They are also often on the smaller side, and finding one over 15 hands might be challenging. If any Kigers are available at the time I adopt, I will certainly take them into strong consideration.

A herd in lower demand than the Kiger, but no less beautiful (in my opinion) is the Cold Springs herd. Many horses in this herd are also strongly influenced by the Spanish breeds, and they tend to be a bit larger than the Kigers. I know very little about the trainability of horses from this herd, but I know there are several currently residing at the adoption facility waiting for a new home. Maybe one is waiting for me !




I would be interested in hearing from people about which herd they like, or if there is an Oregon herd that I have not mentioned that may contain horses I would be interested in.

The search begins

Within the past few months, I've come to realize that I will be able to afford a horse of my own in the near future. Those of you that know me well realize how important horses are in my life. Dave, my ridiculously understanding boyfriend, describes me as a full blown junkie, except my heroin is horses. My discipline of choice is dressage, though I have dabbled in eventing and show jumping in the past, and every once in awhile (thanks to my new, Oregon horse friends), I get the pleasure of riding a quick, catty cow pony.

While I am yet to come across a horse I don't like, I really want to take care in finding a horse that has suitable conformation to go far in the dressage world. Initially, I was only looking at warmbloods and Baroque breeds, but with an average price tag of 10k + for a quality untrained horse, it soon became obvious that this was an unrealistic choice for me. Over Christmas break, I was contacted by an old friend, and owner of a mustang rescue at which I use to work. Hearing from her reminded me how much I connected with the horses at her farm, and how fiercely loyal they became after they were accustomed to human contact. While working at the farm, I guess I never paid too much attention to the conformation of the horses I was working with, but revisiting the breed now it has become evident that certain herds still have a strong Iberian influence and horses from these herds are ideal for dressage. In fact, this year at Dressage at Devon, a mustang won the dressage suitability stallion class!

So now that I've decided I want to adopt a mustang, what's next?

1. Research trainers in the area that can help me with the halter breaking process.

2. Look into boarding facilities that meet my needs
- Must have daily turnout (at least in good weather)
- Reasonably priced
- Must allow outside trainers/instructors (I currently have an amazing instructor and have no interest in making a switch)

3. Buy standard items I will need when I get my horse (halters, brushes, blankets, etc...)

4. Plan a trip to the adoption center in Burns, OR (probably in the spring or summer).

I am very excited and look forward to beginning this process.