All Hat, No Cattle June 14, 2011
Posted by mikeschaffer in competition, dressage.trackback
The F.E.I claims it is trying to eliminate any possibility of horses being injured in competition or preparation for it. Towards this end it has taken a pro-active stance in the dressage discipline by (unwisely) limiting the lengths of curb shanks, spur shanks, the time a horse can be worked in a particular frame, and now the total time a horse can be worked in the schooling/warm-up rings at competitions, well the list goes on. Yet in the reining discipline it sanctions events that include sliding stops, western spins, and rollbacks — three “movements” that can only be described as the demolition derby of the horse world.
You simply could not devise any more damaging things to do to a horse. These movements are in direct violation of Article 142 of the FEI General Regulations which states in part:
1. No person may abuse a Horse during an event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse…
The pain and discomfort these movements cause is unnecessary because they have no purpose. They are completely removed from anything a real working cowboy would ask a real working cow horse to do. The only function of them is to titillate and thrill those who know nothing of horses and have never given a thought to their well being.
There is an expression in the American southwest that describes someone who talks big but cannot back it up, as being “ all hat, no cattle.” The direct analogy to reining is, “all horseshow, no horsemanship.” No real horseman would engage in meaningless competitions that destroy horses just for the ribbons and money to follow.
Yet the F.E.I. is doing just that. In the name of more ticket sales and TV viewers, the F.E.I. has sold it’s soul and turned its principled stand on promoting the welfare of the horse into hypocritical platitudes. It’s a devils deal in which they cannot profit. Just as running professional wrestling exhibitions in the lobby will not save an Opera company, reining will not keep Dressage, Driving, or Eventing in the Olympics or on TV. To the contrary it’s more likely to chase them out and off sooner rather than later.
The F.E.I. should stand for what it stands for, or not at all.
The Dressage Process 
AMEN !! Well put Mike. I deal very closely with a few Reiners that have come to me for dressage lessons thinking that it will help they’re reining horses. They are friends so it is so difficult to truely tell them what I really think. I have politely said “if you think you can slide from your seat alone I may be able to help ” That pretty much took care of that, they can’t even get their heads around that. However I have to say I think it can be done but don’t want to get involved. I too think its really hard on the horses. Senseless if you will. Thanks for bringing it to the table. I feel just a tiny bit better for bowing out. I did offer to give them a lesson on one of my horses, no takers. that is a shame. But all things considered they would not have appreciated riding a well schooled horse, too slow for them,
Maura
I take it you saw the video of that Asshat Craig Whateverhisnameis jerking the p’s and q’s out of that chestnut mare? And running her into a wall to build “stop”.
Great post Mike!
For those who haven’t seen it: