From Paul Belasik's A Search for Collection - Science and Art in Riding:
The reason why you can’t pull a horse’s head down to his knees and hold it there day after day, hour after hour, is the same reason why you can’t pull a man’s head down to his knees and hold it there. The reason is that it is demeaning to the ...dignity of the horse or man. It is an ethical, philosophical problem, as well as a scientific one. When you act this way toward a horse with this unprovoked, irrational and unrelenting constant aggression, you demean everything: the horse, nature, yourself, the art and the observer. In the wild, no horse would accept this demonic control. Leaders lead because they prove they have the capacity to lead, and they are good at it. The whole herd has a better life. If the leaders choose badly… they will be replaced.
Yet another reason why Rollkur is not good for horses - or for us.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Short and to the point. Beautifully said.If only more 'leaders' would educate themselves there would be a lot of happier horses.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Arlene! I loved this angle on the issue.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and demonstrates just another reason why these ridiculous practices need to stop!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I think so too.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone interested in dressage, Paul's books are beautiful, with elegant writing and lovely photographs.
Worth supporting in this time of ugly riding and controlling, abusive methods.
perfect. could not have said it any better. i especially love this: 'When you act this way toward a horse with this unprovoked, irrational and unrelenting constant aggression, you demean everything: the horse, nature, yourself, the art and the observer.'
ReplyDeleteAgreed - I have done clinics with Paul and the thing I most admired was that he held each rider accountable for how the horse was riding. He didn't blame the horse - he focused on what each rider brought to that horse.
ReplyDeleteNot every clinician is willing to be direct when the client is the one paying for the clinic!