Beverley:
I am most likely going to be taken to the cleaners again for using the open
forum to express my ideas that do not conform to the norm. However that is
what forums are for and it is how we learn and perhaps modify our view
points.
You state:
<<It would seem that many distance riders are dependent on the terrain to
make the horse use himself.>>
I would disagree with that statement by saying that WE do not make the horse
do anything. We LET the horse learn by utilizing the varying terrain. It is
a conditioning of the proprioceptive system that is inherent in the horse.
Next:
<<This only works to a certain point, for the horse can escape using certain
parts of his body if the rider isn't skilled enough to feel this.>>
You do not credit the horse with the instinctive knowledge of how to use its
systems? How did the species exist for so long? The horse does not need the
human to teach it how to do any thing!! The human only teaches the horse to
do "what comes naturally" in the manner the human wants to see it done, when
it wants to see it done. The equine knows all the moves and does them
naturally but not in the time or place to satisfy the human. The horse MUST
LEARN to accommodate the added weight of the rider located in a position
that is not natural or convenient for the horse. We cannot TEACH this but
must spend time in the saddle for the horses proprioceptive system to adjust
.
<<Dressage has the enormous advantage in that the rider develops the skills
to condition all areas of the horse's body.>>
See the previous paragraph and:
And to over condition some parts of the body while stultifying the mind if
practiced as I have seen it. I beg to differ in that dressage does not
condition ALL AREAS OF THE HORSE'S BODY. It does not do much for the tendons
and ligaments in the lower leg necessary for rough trails. It does not do
very much for the cardio-vascular system. It does not strengthen the
shoulders necessary for down hill work.
<<Contrary to what Mr. Morris may feel about dressage, it does condition the
horse a great deal when properly done, and adds a suppleness to the muscles
which often can save a distance horse from serious injury.>>
Ah! You have hit the nail on the head. I feel dressage, when properly
practiced, can be of great advantage. It is a tool that in the current phase
, is (again in my opinion) grossly misused, mispracticed and to an extent
abused. Proper training and conditioning on the trail can do the same if not
better. It adds a suppleness that can accommodate all the unevenness not
found in the arena. It conditions the proprioceptive system to realize there
is a point that sometimes the ground is just not there and something must be
done. (like a badger hole)
<<It also teaches the horse to transfer weight to the hindquarters and
alleviate the stress to the shoulders which might occur when going downhill.
>>
If you ever watched a "free horse" go down hill (I have seven of them who
lope down hill for the fun) you will find out that the horse does not have
to be taught to go on to its hindquarters. I take that back!!! We obtained a
six month old colt (now my riding gelding) who was turned out in the hills
with the herd. First few times the herd came running down hill for food, he
stopped and walked down because he had been raised on the flat. Within a
week he could run with the best of the herd. He learned how to use his rear
end. I did not teach him!!!
<<Learning the gymnastics of dressage, a rider can also release contracted
muscles while on the trail so that soreness can be relieved.>>
Here again I do not agree. The most important thing about dressage is not
what you (or most likely the trainer) teach the horse but what YOU learn
about riding. BALANCE and an INDEPENDENT SEAT!!! Human gymnastics to stay
out of the horses way while it is doing its job.
Really Bev, I have no disagreement with dressage. I do have a disagreement
with those persons who profess that it is the only way to a better more
successful endurance horse. The endurance rider MUST learn to keep out of
the horses way and if dressage is the way for them to learn then dressage it
is. (but please proper dressage not the excuse we mostly see)
I am not intending to say mine is the only way, I'm still learning and will
for many more years (I hope). To date, our experience has substantiated what
I have written on the subject, both my original post and also this one.
Lets keep this as an open forum for the discussion of all ideas, not take
offense of ones that dare to be different. If we all agree then life will be
dull.
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID