Classical Dressage

Posted By Iris on February 16, 2010

Dr. Heuschmann is trained as a Master Rider in Germany before qualifying for veterinary study in Munich Germany. He is specialized in equine orthopedics, so you can assume he knows his business. Dr. Heuschmann has been an advocate against Rollkur, or Hyperflexion, for a while now. With this book he explains why this and other ‘modern’ Dressage methods are in fact harmful for the horse.

This book is divided in 7 chapters. It starts with background on the sport and the main groups responsible for today’s practices. He points at Riders but also to breeders, trainers, judges and even spectators. How are these individual groups responsible? And what should change within these groups for the well being of the horse? These are very important questions. So far it seems that everyone points the finger at others, but that will not help the situation. By changing yourself, as a member of one or more groups, we are able change the situation.

Heuschmann then starts explaining the original form of Dressage, now known as Classical Dressage. What is Classical Dressage; when is something called ‘Classical Dressage’? The answer to this is not that simple, in fact because of different interpretations this is a very complex issue. Still Dr. Heuschmann does a good job in defining it according to several sources. Going back to the time the Classical Dressage was developed and was high in practice. Most important point that comes forward is how the Classical Dressage just takes more time and patience with the horse then in which a lot of ‘modern’ practices and methods allow the horses to develop.

Followed is a really interesting part of the anatomy of the horse. Basic understanding every rider should learn if he or she is to train and ride a horse physically correct. Heuschmann explains how a lot of training methods in ‘modern’ Dressage have gone the wrong direction by demanding the results without the correct physical road it needs to travel for it to not be damaging. People want the end results without understanding the correct way of acquiring the goals. This often results in asking the horse for positions and/ or movements that damage the horse. Dr. Heuschmann explains this according to the anatomy of the horse; the skeleton, muscles and ligaments. He gives a broad explanation according to pictures, examples of ‘good’ and ‘bad’.

After this very important chapter he does not leave us hanging. He continues with a thorough but very clear part on correct training. This part builds on, on the anatomy of the horse and gives information especially important for people training and riding their horse and people judging the riders. This last part gives a broad spectrum of info on physically correct training, why and how, accompanied with examples and pictures.

This book really helped me see what I already suspected. But with the facts about anatomy given here it really made me see why it is so important to know some basic knowledge about the body of the horse when dealing with horses in any way, let alone on high level Dressage. Some people feel time spend reading this book is better spent in the saddle. I really have to resent that. Without this basic knowledge it is very easy to damage your horse, not only causing pain at the moment you’re asking certain things of your horse but even risk giving your horse chronic pain if riding wrongly for longer or more severe periods.

My conclusion is: every self respecting rider and horse lover should know the basic anatomy and do’s and don’ts in riding presented in this book!

Category: Book reviews
Tags: