For the past week I have been receiving e mails regarding the decision or findings expressed by the FEI. Every one has been so ecstatic about this meeting so I almost feel like a grumpy old pessimist when I write this article. Perhaps because I have never been a competitive rider I am naive, perhaps because I am a Scot I am arrogant, and perhaps because I am an ex police officer I am cynical but as I look at the poor horse on the left and I read the words of the FEI decision and then really study them I find that the original enthusiasm and uplifting feeling when I first heard the news last Monday has changed so dramatically that I must sincerely apologize for the complementary article I wrote about it. I am sorry to say it and I will make enemies and upset people (but I really do not give a damn) with what I am going to write but after studying it I have not read anything so negatively useless since the UN made its stand against the atrocities in Rwanda.

What we all want quite simply is a total ban on 'Rollkur' or any other cruel and sadistic practice being used on any horse, dressage or otherwise. We need Rollkur to be criminalized, to be made as much a crime as bear baiting or dog fighting. Rollkur is cruel and inhuman not just for dressage horses in competition or in the warm up arenas where at selected shows they (FEI) will put in closed circuit television, but banned across the board. Who selects the shows? What happens if they warm up behind the barn? What happens back at the stables for months before the competition? Who is going to complain about that and to whom?

Sanctions! What are sanctions? Saddam Hussien was sanctioned, Mugabe has been sanctioned, every perpetrator of cruelty in this modern day world of ours has had sanctions placed against them, and perhaps I am too old and sarcastic for my own good - but has any of them ever worked? What sanctions will the FEI impose? They certainly do not mention any. Are they going to banish Anky von whatever for life if she uses Rollkur, or any other Olympian for that matter? No way! What actions will they take? Lets be honest - None! They specifically state 'that no changes are required to the current FEI rules'. Does that not sum it up in a nutshell! They state that 'LDR without undue force is acceptable'. Funny I thought that was Rollkur, and what is undue force to one is aggressive force to another. In the Police I was taught to achieve the results I required using no more force than was necessary - boy that gave me a lot of leeway, from a hand on the shoulder to a choke hold. Come to think about it we should have called the latter 'Rollkur'! Look at the photo on the left, it is exactly the same position we put the humans head in to render them unconscious, and exactly the same position that an SAS soldier places the enemies head in just before breaking the neck. LDR = Locking-Down-Respiration!

In essence the FEI have done nothing, other than flaunt the name of Princess someone-or-other and wrinkled their pompous foreheads, and tut-tutted. They have not recommended that the practice of Rollkur be made a crime, approached the S.P.C.A internationally to take criminal action against any person, rider, owner or trainer using this system at any time,fixing penalties that they be banned from the sport,(if we call dressage a sport), and be banned from owning a horse. For this they will have to bring vets as well as the SPCA to the table and then have it brought into law. It is ironic in some Countries and States that a person practicing something as non invasive as Reiki on a horse can be charged with a Level 2 felony while these torturers of the horse receive only a toothless tut tut from the FEI and Princess whats-her-name. Please remember in our ET world it is the horse that counts not the discipline, so if I have upset anyone with this article - I regretfully do not apologize! Charles Darwin said " The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man".

THE FEI ROLLKUR "DECISION"

The group redefined hyperflexion Rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable. The technique known as Low, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.

The group unanimously agreed that any form of aggressive riding must be sanctioned. The FEI will establish a working group, headed by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman, to expand the current guidelines for stewards to facilitate implementation of this policy. The group agreed that no changes are required to the current FEI Rules.

FEI Management is currently studying a range of additional measures, including the use of closed circuit television for warm-up arenas at selected shows.

Talking about loving all living creatures: The latest addition to our menagerie came along last week. We had been working around the big feature tree at the back of the house when I noticed a large number of flies around a hole at the base of the trunk. Peering in - something moved - as we are in a non dangerous - natural country, Ivana reached in and found a very badly injured hedgehog. After much pushing and shoving she managed to get him out and as you can see from the first photo had a massive maggot infested, dog inflicted, wound in the middle of his back. Anyone else would have put it down - Ivana runs true to form. First the maggots are all washed and picked off, the wound cleaned, antiseptic dressings applied, antibiotics, the whole works, then it is put in a box and fed breast of chicken by hand. Next morning it was still there and is now receiving hourly veterinarian visits, so who knows perhaps she may pull off one of her miracles. Though with these spikes I am not offering to work on it. I will know I am in big trouble when she gives it a name. Four days later an update: it now sits in her hand, is fed, bathed and is called 'Spike'! Will keep you updated on this new patient.

Q: Jock you mention coming from a neutral place. I watch you working class and I am certain I know exactly what you mean, but how do I get there? I have even tried singing as you suggest to reduce mask my intent but I still find it difficult to go there on demand as you do. Can you help me achieve it?

Q: I have been practicing Equine Touch for about three years now. I have never had trouble with a horse, but recently I was asked to work on this mare, even when I try to 'brand' her she tries to bite, kicks, will not stand still, and I must confess I am quite scared of her, and she knows it. What should I do?

A: 33 years ago I first studied Aikido and I heard my master continually talking about the Hara and Ki. He explained that all energy negative or positive came from these sources, he showed me how a stiff arm could be bent easily, but a relaxed one could not, especially if a neutral breath flow and a neutral mind focus was employed. That is what I am doing with the horse. Mentally it is quite easy, physically it is also quite easy, it is when you combine the two that the difficulty appears to arise, because along comes your intent and stuffs it all up. An Aikido player uses peripheral vision, he defocuses thereby taking in the whole picture, sensing and seeing his many attackers. So it is with the horse, you open up and accept that which the horse is going to present you with. The horse is truthful, the only thing he will try to hide is his pain and his processing. Other than the work, your presence should be of no consequence to him whatsoever other than as a safe refuge from the rest of the world. The best advice I can give you to center yourself in a neutral place is to take up something like Tai Chi so that while your mind remains still and focused upon your hara point, you are able to move in harmony with all around you. If you can do this and practice more on humans and get feedback from them, then you will find your neutral place and your work and its effects will most definitely improve.

A: Walk away. I have heard people say there is no such thing a as bad horse. Debatable, but there is such a thing as a dangerous horse, and there are many of those around. What we consider dangerous behavior is not bad behavior to that particular horse, it is just not, for some perhaps unknown (or known) reason behaving the way we would like it to. Its defence or protection mechanism has evolved to a dangerous reaction and we have to accept this. I once went to work on an Arab mare, Saja, in New Zealand which was untouchable. No one could place a hand on her Chiropractor or soft tissue, she would just explode. So I spent a while trading looks with her, I think she was as scared of me as I was of her. Ray Hunt's words were ringing in my ears "Dont get in a fight with a horse, there will ony be one loser, and it won't be the horse". I noticed that the feet were extremely well cared for (my daughter Leigh was the trimmer - family boast). The owner told me that Leigh had no trouble whatsoever with doing the feet, however when she tried to do ET, Saja went ballistic and Leigh like the others had to give up it was just too dangerous. That was my way in, I had no idea if it would work but it was all I had. I began by picking up each leg once (the ET way)and just rewarding the horse each time. I then picked up the legs again and started to mobilize each joint. I then went around the horse again picking up each leg and stretching the horse. Five minutes later I was in and able to do a full BB with amazing results. Saja's behavior changed immediately. So, no battle, find a way in, if not - Walk Away!

Time passes so quickly that we are already looking at our down under programme for when we return down under at the end of the year for Equitana and to take our students to another level in their evolution with ET and VHT. Below are the clinics that we have booked in for the rest of this stay just click on the contact and you will be linked to their e mail.

OZ- VIC- March 9, 10, 11, 12 -VHT Foundation Modules with Jock contact Sue Wyatt TBC

OZ- VIC- March 11, 12- VHT Advanced Modules with Jock contact Sue Wyatt

OZ - VIC - March 13 One Day only - VHT for Family and Friends - First time taught in Australia contact Sue Wyatt

OZ - VIC - March 14 - One Day only - Layering and Prescription - First time taught in Australia contact Janis Hobbs and Sue Wyatt

OZ - WA April 9, 10, 11 Boddington- Level 1 with Jock. This is a new venue with a new coordinator Linda Dix - contact

NZ - April 2, 3, 4, 5 - Level 3 and Level 2 -Tauranga at Denyse Cambie's - with Ivana. contact - Also on 2, 3, 4 will be L4 - Equine Touch and Beyond - with Jock contact

NZ - April 23, 24, 25 - Level 1 and Level 2 -Tauranga at Denyse Cambie's - with Jock and Ivana contact

NZ - April 30, May 1 and 2 - Lincoln University, Christchuch - Whole Horse Functional DissectionClinic with Ivana - Coordinator Janice Clyma :contact

NZ - May 7, 8, 9 Whangarei City Riding Centre - Level 1 and Level 2 - The last clinics in New Zealand this tour contact Jock a complete new venue.

Although its not quite 'Around the World in 80 days' it pretty well feels like it as I look at our current locked in schedule between Mid May when we leave New Zealand and the beginning of September when we turn around and start working our way back down under. As I look at the schedule I remind myself that I keep saying that I am going to slow down, someday. So if any of you want to catch up with us in the Northern Hemisphere this is where we will be and what we will be doing.

Hawaii - Maui May 15, 16, 17 - - Maui Level 1 and Family and Friends contact Jill Fairchild

Michigan May20 21, 22, 23 Level 3 with Ivana - contact Leah Astrup

Michigan May 20, 21, 22 Level 4 ET and Beyond - with Jock - contact Leah Astrup or NCC/USA

Michigan May 23 Prescription and Layering with Jock - contact Leah Astrup or NCC/USA

Texas - San Marcos - May 25, 26, 27 level 1 and level 2 with Jock and Ivana contact Whole Horse Clinic

Pennsylvania - Shoemakersville May 29, 30, 31 Functional Dissection Clinic with Ivana - contact Cate Stoltzfus

UK - South & North Barrow,nr Yeovil - June 5, 6, 7 All new Level 3 Thory with Ivana

UK-South & North Barrow,nr Yeovil - June 5, 6, 7 All new ET and Beyond with Jock

UK - Glastonbury - 8, 9 - assessment days with Ivana

UK - Glastonbury -9th - Prescription and Layering with Jock

UK - Nth Midlands - 11th - Assessment day with Ivana

UK - North East - 12th - Demonstration with Jock

Scotland - Blairgowrie - 15th Demonstration with Jock

Scotland - Biggar -17th - Demonstration with Jock

Ireland - Co Stokestown - 19, 20, 21 - Level 1 with Ivana - contact - coordinator Penny Jagdhuber

Ireland - 19, 20, 21- All new ET and Beyond with Jock - contact -coordinator Penny Jagdhuber

Ireland - Co Clare -22nd - Demonstration with Jock - please contact Gina Siver - Clare Equestrian Centre.

Ireland - Co Kildare - 24, 25, 26 Level 1 with Ivana contact

Ireland - Co Kildare 25th - Layering and Prescription with Jock contact

Ireland - Co Kildare 26th - Mobilization and Stretching with Jock contact

Sweden - July 1, 2,3,4 - Level 3 with Ivana contactCarola contact

Sweden - July 1, 2, 3 All new ET and Beyond with Jock contact Carola

Sweden - July 4th Prescription and layering with Jock contact Carola

Sweden - July 5th - Mobilization and Stretching with Jock and Ivana contact Carola

Czech Republic - Brno - July 12 - 17th VHT Instructor Clinic contact

Czech Republic - Brno -August 7 and 8 - VHT Advanced - 2 days Modules 5 and 6.

Slovakia - 13, 14, 15 - Level 1 with Jock&Ivana contact

Slovakia - 13, 14, 15 - Level 2 with Jock and Ivana contact

UK DISSECTION CLINIC Hartsop Farm on 17, 18, 19, 20 September - Book Now - Numbers restricted

Book now for the Equine Touch event of the year. Unfortunately the British Racing School at Newmarket was not available, so we will be holding the International Conference this year at Doveridge, Derbyshire. Already your IETA committee and the Instructor Guild are searching for presenters for this years conference. We of course will be there and hopefully be able to introduce you to new ideas, thoughts and tips to help you understand more and more about this wonderful world of helping horses. If we compare the last Conference with the first and can keep up the same standard of improvement then this is going to be a great weekend. Is there anything in particular you would like us to focus on in our presentations, if so do not hesitate to get in touch and we will see what we can do.

31 Courses, Assessments, Demonstrations and Events up North in 18 weeks - We are slowing down!

This is probably the main procedure that I use after completing an ET session - Mobilization and Stretching - One of the interesting phenomena that I became aware of as a human bodyworker was that while I could work on a body and know that the area of concern had normalized, the body itself, the natural intelligence of the body which is non critical and non analytical did not. How can the subconscious, which is in control, know that it is OK if it has not been educated to the fact that normal service has been resumed. That is why we guide the client through a series of exercises so that they are aware that they can now, for instance, stretch their arms without pain above their heads, or even put on their jackets without assistance. So it is with the horse, by mobilizing the back, the neck, the joints of the limbs we let the horses nervous system become aware of the new range of pain free movement that it is capable of. By gently stretching and encouraging the horse to stretch its own limbs we educate the horse as to just what it is now capable of doing, sometimes with amazing results. Think how many of you have taken the horses leg out in front of him, at first there is resistance, and then he looks down at his leg and examines it, and after coming to the conclusion that it does belong to him, stretches it way out in front of him, often accompanied by a sigh, and sometimes a large 'pop' as the stuck joint capsule releases. There is no point in working on a horse if the horse does not know the result of the work and is too scared of the pain that it remembers from before, the memory of which is still locked inside the muscle.