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Tug of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage: Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health
Describing the basic anatomy and physiology of the horse, this book by an experienced veterinarian identifies widely-used incorrect training methods—especially in dressage—that can undermine a horse's health and well-being. Starting with the question Who is responsible for this? the book looks at breeders, breed associations, instructors, judges, riders, spectators, and the governing bodies of horse sports. The hyperflexion issue, the discussion shows, is that training affects horses both for good and for ill, and riders should reject any methods that cause pain or fail to respect the mental habits and physiological needs of their animals.
- GenresHorsesAnimalsNonfiction
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
11 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 19, 2022
Good grief, why haven't I written a review for this book yet?
I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of this book. It was smaller than I thought it'd be, but it's filled with lots of pictures.
Most of it focuses on how many modern training methods, from rollkur to the less well known hyper-flexion, is damaging to the horse and how the more classical methods are helpful. If you want to a briefing on the whole situation, I think this'd be a good book for it.
There's a lot of talk about the muscles of the horse in it's neck and back, so that the reader understands better why modern methods can cause so much damage. There's drawings to help with that as well.
Overall, I do wish it'd gone more in depth about it all, but for a summary of how things are, it's a very good read. And I will be referring back to it, and am glad to have it in my own library.
I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of this book. It was smaller than I thought it'd be, but it's filled with lots of pictures.
Most of it focuses on how many modern training methods, from rollkur to the less well known hyper-flexion, is damaging to the horse and how the more classical methods are helpful. If you want to a briefing on the whole situation, I think this'd be a good book for it.
There's a lot of talk about the muscles of the horse in it's neck and back, so that the reader understands better why modern methods can cause so much damage. There's drawings to help with that as well.
Overall, I do wish it'd gone more in depth about it all, but for a summary of how things are, it's a very good read. And I will be referring back to it, and am glad to have it in my own library.
February 20, 2014
LOVED this. It totally shamed the current dressage practices that are propelling abusive trainers into the professional and Olympic dressage ring. It is time to take care of the HORSE and remember that dressage means "training" not "abuse for profit or gain." Should be mandatory reading for dressage trainers. Heushmann is RIGHT ON.
April 27, 2024
Další souvislosti do sbírky, tentokrát anatomické :))
March 4, 2018
If horses had a say they would beg everyone not to only read the book but to practice what this equine veterinarian, trainer and professional rider has to tell us. Dr Heuschmann shows the reader with many pictures and diagrams of the skeleton and musclar/ligament systems just how a horse should be started and ridden. Anything short of this is abuse. This book is a must read for anyone who rides and tells you they like or love their horse(s).
November 2, 2018
A great introduction to Heuschmann's work. His second book, Balancing Act, expands on this book and should definitely be your next read.
July 1, 2023
Very informative.
October 26, 2015
Although it might not be a nobel laureate of a read (with a few grammatical nuances), the general principles of Tug of War provide a great overlook and insight into what it is to ethically train and lead a horse through such training and development that they require. Often, this includes a sense of grace and compassion.
What I appreciate is that for any novice rider, or anyone who thinks they can just jump on a horse and give it a go, what it does is it considers a number of equitation science issues, though not at the level of Gore, Siegel, Paul McGreevey, Sarah Pilsner or Zoe Davies (more appropriate for the Veterinary-in-training), but it does provide a few intriguing ways to reconsider alignment between horse and rider, and the essentials of bit work and just how much reins should and could be used in training.
It isn't about promulgating and haranguing in a way that uses force, and which the horse doesn't understand. Yelling and cropping a horse won't provide for the results that will allot a horse to thrive over the course of its career. Rather, it is recognizing that good mentorship, and building an unspoken rapport between trainers, horses, and riders, can help to cultivate better riding skills, and ultimately better competition outcomes, that come from a place of soul and love than from a place of badgering.
As in child development, ways to raise children, and parenting style are often different, and though you might try to be as ethical and appropriate as possible, there are times in which training needs a few other lessons involved, some tough love.
Tug of war considers that sort of balance between the ethics and morality of training, and doesn't put the horse in the "other" category, but rather, they are one with the rider, where horse and rider align to each others subtleties and needs. This is an important aspect to building trust and rapport with horses.
By curing ignorance through education, trainers and riders can get a better understanding to the way that the tug on the reins and bit puts pressure on the mouth, slight activation to the neck muscles, and ultimately affects the entire length of muscles hugging the spine, and the overall hollowness and roundedness of the horses' conformation, and can also affect the horse's ease and temperament. It is about learning that too much weight and pressure on the back of a horse, can impinge on nerves in that sensitive region, and create risk for the overall health and wellbeing during the course of training.
It isn't necessarily a George Morris approach in training, though thanking the horse really is quite an important attribute that I will hand to him, but a gradual training and appreciation for the horse and the horse's ability, promoting the building of a sound relationship, that can lead to some remarkable dances come competition time, or even in everyday training.
*What it doesn't go into or discuss are the emotional hurdles than some horses may face, especially OTTBs and rescues that might not have had a good life from the start, and were put into precarious situations. This is an entirely different level of training, that really requires and prompts more work on building trust and establish a secure bond, possibly including the use of stable mates and other horses when turned out, long before any training begins, given the possible state of neglected or previously abused horse. (Read Gerd Heuschmann's second book 'Balancing Act' for a little more on this)
*But it does help the trainer and the rider from being the cause of the neglect or abuse.
What I appreciate is that for any novice rider, or anyone who thinks they can just jump on a horse and give it a go, what it does is it considers a number of equitation science issues, though not at the level of Gore, Siegel, Paul McGreevey, Sarah Pilsner or Zoe Davies (more appropriate for the Veterinary-in-training), but it does provide a few intriguing ways to reconsider alignment between horse and rider, and the essentials of bit work and just how much reins should and could be used in training.
It isn't about promulgating and haranguing in a way that uses force, and which the horse doesn't understand. Yelling and cropping a horse won't provide for the results that will allot a horse to thrive over the course of its career. Rather, it is recognizing that good mentorship, and building an unspoken rapport between trainers, horses, and riders, can help to cultivate better riding skills, and ultimately better competition outcomes, that come from a place of soul and love than from a place of badgering.
As in child development, ways to raise children, and parenting style are often different, and though you might try to be as ethical and appropriate as possible, there are times in which training needs a few other lessons involved, some tough love.
Tug of war considers that sort of balance between the ethics and morality of training, and doesn't put the horse in the "other" category, but rather, they are one with the rider, where horse and rider align to each others subtleties and needs. This is an important aspect to building trust and rapport with horses.
By curing ignorance through education, trainers and riders can get a better understanding to the way that the tug on the reins and bit puts pressure on the mouth, slight activation to the neck muscles, and ultimately affects the entire length of muscles hugging the spine, and the overall hollowness and roundedness of the horses' conformation, and can also affect the horse's ease and temperament. It is about learning that too much weight and pressure on the back of a horse, can impinge on nerves in that sensitive region, and create risk for the overall health and wellbeing during the course of training.
It isn't necessarily a George Morris approach in training, though thanking the horse really is quite an important attribute that I will hand to him, but a gradual training and appreciation for the horse and the horse's ability, promoting the building of a sound relationship, that can lead to some remarkable dances come competition time, or even in everyday training.
*What it doesn't go into or discuss are the emotional hurdles than some horses may face, especially OTTBs and rescues that might not have had a good life from the start, and were put into precarious situations. This is an entirely different level of training, that really requires and prompts more work on building trust and establish a secure bond, possibly including the use of stable mates and other horses when turned out, long before any training begins, given the possible state of neglected or previously abused horse. (Read Gerd Heuschmann's second book 'Balancing Act' for a little more on this)
*But it does help the trainer and the rider from being the cause of the neglect or abuse.
February 4, 2008
Ok. My sister is going too tired of my horse book recommendations but "hay" it is what I am reading now. Next is hyperbaric O2 therapy. Ok on to this book. Its great, a good book for anyone who rides. A must for all dressage riders. It has simple definitions and pictures of correct vs. incorrect riding. Good basic anatomy lesson and how a different style of riding affects your horse. How proper riding will keep your horse happy and sound.
August 31, 2011
Interresting read. It gives a good understanding of why it is so important to take your time to train your horse and the issues in modern dressaage at every level. My only issue with the book is that while reading it you've to be very aware of what is Heuschmann's own oppinions and what is fact. Otherwise very good read.
June 21, 2011
I read this book in about two hours last night. It was a quick read but contained some great information about why it is so important to take the time to train a horse correctly. I found it inspiring and can't wait to go ride my horses. I am also inspired to continue to work on my technique. Ride with your seat and not your hands!
September 25, 2009
what people do to win blows me away
October 28, 2012
Excellent. A must read. I'm so glad that Dr. Heuschmann is speaking out!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews