Equine Touch Newsletter

Thank you, thank you, thank you - to all of you who wrote in with your positive comments on the Rollkur article which I wrote last week, thank you. I thought I would perhaps find myself in an embattled position being attacked from all sides knowing how many out there practice dressage. Not one negative letter, great, that means we are all united in our concern for the horse and that makes me extremely proud of all of you. Below are just some of the comments which I received after last weeks newsletter. The message once again that all of us must take to heart, is 'don't get conned by the big wigs'. They all have their own agenda and I can appreciate the art (I can never call dressage a sport as it is judged by opinions which are often influenced by factors other than the actual performance) I just can never accept the stress and torture that any horse is subjected to no matter what the discipline so that the rider may achieve fame and a blue ribbon. Oh yes, and lets not forget the rather large sums of money that can be won also, which alas it is the horse who ultimately has to pay for. Let's keep up the fight, but forget about the toothless FEI and prepare a case for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, prove it and make it a cruelty crime in their eyes, and watch what happens. Remember it was the RSPCA that took action against the Strasser trim in the UK. The law is powerful, use it, but use it correctly. Have vets who agree with you sign off on the petition also and then present it formally to the RSPCA and its chapters overseas. Remember that the next Olympics are to be held in the UK, start now, get letters from bodyworkers, trainers, riders, explain it to the RSPCA in words they understand - they too also care about abusive training methods. Get credible names behind you from the horse world in the UK. This is why we need an International Federation of Equine Bodyworkers, owned by no one with personal agenda's, which all associations, schools and practitioners and students are equal members of and which will have a voice that will ring out around the world and be heard in cases such as these. Enough of the soap box!

At last we managed to sort out the problem with the Newsletter delivery. However some problems still exist, in that some people find that the newsletter expands to beyond the width of their page and some have trouble printing them. From the enquiries that I have made that can be due to your internet provider or e mail provider. For instance we are with AOL and seem to have no problem. It would be interesting to know who is having these problems and what organization they are with. I have also worked on the 'old newsletter page' and that is now catalogued so that you merely have to click on the issue and it will open and you can print from there, so it may be if you are one of those that is having trouble with the e-mail version then this will be a working alternative. http://www.theequinetouch.com/newsletter/index.html


	Thanks Jock, so good to know that there are people out there that are reading through things properly and have a good understanding of the anatomy of the horse and are working in favor of the horse! Good on you for this. Lee Woodland
	Thank you for a different perspective on the rollkur news. I really hadn't thought about the decision in that way! Certainly needs more action, Maybe if everyone who reads your comments understands and embraces your thoughts we can get the decision to totally ban this barbaric training method. - can I have your permission to send on this newsletter to some of my friends in the dressage world that have supported the decision to ban rollkur, who may be interested to see the decision from your perspective. Becky Cook
	Excellent newsletter! Thanks! Randi Peters - Natural Horse Magazine
	Just received the latest newsletter. Bravo, on speaking out about the FEI decision on Rollkur. It is a joke! So many people in the classical dressage community are outraged. They must really think people are stupid to believe that this will change anything. Leah Astrup
	I've been reading with interest your comments on Rollkur and wholly agree with your sentiments. I have also bought myself a copy of the DVD "If Horses Could Speak", which is dedicated to the damage Rollkur does to the horse using video footage and computerized animations. Jo Brock
	Rollkur should be labeled Legal Equine Torture. How pathetic, its so sad to see this, and yet so common. It always amazes me that people are still willing to injure and torture their animals all for a blue ribbon. Renee Hogendorf
	Just wanted to say what a brilliant article you've written on the so called Rollkur ban and I thought your sarcasm was spot on too, made for an enjoyable read for what is actually such an awful and devastating subject for the horse. Anyway, I forwarded the newsletter on to my riding instructor Anna, and thought you might be interested to read her comments. - 'I whole heartedly agree with this man!!!' - Heather Richardson
	The only Danish horse home (equivalent to Horse World in Bristol) has contacted me after having read your Newsletter where you express your feelings about FEI and Rollkur. They like what you have written and want to put it on their homepage. They would also like a picture of your SAS strangle description. Do you have such a photo? -Eva Longborg-Madsen - The photo is of me 'choking' Ivana The strangle comes from pushing the head forward and down over my forearm forcing the thorax up and in, the air is cut off as well as the oxygen and blood going to the brain, a average of 7 secs to unconsciousness, and then death, the tongue turning blue. If sudden extreme pressure is exerted it is relatively easy to break the neck.


Q: Not exactly a question, but need your wisdom ....Veronica I am working on a horse whose mental state significantly affects his physical state - in my humble opinion to an extreme degree. A quick precise of my 4 visits so far: Visit 1 - horse was calm, relaxed - good processing, visual lymphatic drainage - very satisfying session. Visit 2 - moderately windy day, horse was impossible to work with - had to stop at 5 minute intervals to try and get him back with me. No outward signs of processing, but by halfway through the session his paddock mate was virtually comatose and it's entire weight from shoulders forward was on the bonnet of my truck. I had been ready to abandon the session, but thought the horse was releasing "emotion" and decided to continue in order to allow him to do this. Visit 3 - the owner reported that after my previous visit she had had her best and most comfortable ride ever on the horse. However when she brought him out of the field I noted that his left hind was dragging, and his right hind had a peculiar string halt-type action. I asked her what else had happened that week, and she said that his paddock mate had been away for two days, so the horse had been alone in the field by himself. He had apparently stood rigid in one spot all the time until the other horse returned. This visit was similar to Visit 2. Visit 4 - the horse now has 3 paddock mates, so should not be on his own again. He had been ridden out by himself (first time ever she has felt able to do this) this week and coped really well. His mental/emotional state was excellent, and we had an even better session than we had on Visit 1. Huge external processing and for the first time I really felt that I was able to address some of his physical issues. It is like I get physical processing for his own benefit when he is happy, and emotional processing (at his paddock mate's expense?) when he is stressed? Needless to say I'm finding this fella quite challenging, and it is difficult to see whether I am making any progress with him. Fortunately the owner is sensitive enough to see what is happening, and keeps on getting me back... Do you have any thoughts/experience around this subject that you can share? I worked on one other horse in the UK (when I was L2 student) who did a similar motional/physical processing thing, although not anything like as extreme as this one. Interestingly they are both half Hanoverian. I wonder if it is a breed characteristic?	A: Wisdom. Why thank you m' dear. I will do my best to answer you as a wise man. First off, stop doubting yourself. I think you are doing a great job with this horse. Remember every horse is an individual and is the sum total of that which it has previously experienced and reacted to in its entire life. It has learned how to respond to its own reactions and because it is a herd animal to the reactions of others. Human and horses, some of this is genetic but mostly learned by trial and error. You mention half Hanovarian - what is the other half? A windy day: I have an arab, and a windy property, when something flutters in the trees, or a piece of paper floats across the field he goes ballistic, it does not matter how much he has been worked with that is his nature. When I work on Jo he will stand alongside and process - as Jo relaxes so does he. Is this energy surrogate at work - or is it that the arab is reading the equus language of the body, as Jo sinks into relaxation so does the Arab. I do not know, I just accept that it happens. I think it is a bit of both, what is beyond discussion is that one effects the other, of that there is no doubt. Some horses will also act differently to the work if they are on their own, they feel safer in numbers or where they can find a safe place where processing does not make them vulnerable. This can often be the case where they piggy back on the paddock mate for safety when they drop their guard. many horses will also not wish to show you, the practitioner, that they are vulnerable, some simply turn their heads away and process, others store it all up inside and then when you leave, dejected, go around the corner and process flat out. You then have another factor, and that is the horse who does not want to show weakness in front of the herd. There are so many psychological factors in the horse behavior that it would give Freud a headache. Don't analyze it accept it, accept that which the horse gives you as a positive. the owner is happy, the horse appears to be happier and healthier as a result of your work. Congratulations, that is all it is about. The last piece of advice I can give you is: don't take your work home with you. Get into that neutral place, do the work to the very best of your ability but leave it all in the stall with the horse. I know that is hard, but think, you have seen me work on horses, I give 150%, but the moment I walk away, I completely forget about that horse. Don't take it home with you. You are doing great. Proud of you.

NEW ZEALAND - CHRISCHURCH - LINCOLN UNIVERSITY - 3 DAYS - APRIL 30 - MAY 1 and 2. janice.clyma@xtra.co.nz
UNITED STATES - PENNSYLVANIA - SHOEMAKERSVILLE -MAIDEN SPRINGS FARM - 3 DAYS - MAY 29, 30, 31 Cathleen Stotzfus - maidensprings@msn.com
UNITED KINGDOM - HARTSOP FARM - WHITLEY - OXFORDSHIRE - 4 DAYS - SEPTEMBER 17, 18, 19, 20 - Adele Neighbour - ukcentre@theequinetouch.com
All these whole horse dissection clinics have restricted numbers so it is essential that you book early in order to reserve your place on these exciting and educational classes.


Australia - VIC: March 11, 1, - VHT Advanced L2	Contact - Susan Wyatt - naturalsavvy@iprimus.com.au
Australia - VIC: March 13 - VHT for Family and Friends	Contact - Susan Wyatt - naturalsavvy@iprimus.com.au
Australia - VIC: March 14 - ET Layering and Prescription	Contact -Janis Hobbs - equinetouch@hotkey.net.au
Australia - WA: April 9, 10, 11 Level 1 and level 2	Contact - Linda Dix - mitchelldrafting@hotmail.com
New Zealand - Tauranga: April 2, 3, 4, 5- Level 3	Contact - Denyse Cambie - denyse.cambie@trustpower.co.nz
New Zealand - Tauranga: April 2, 3, 4	Contact - Denyse Cambie - denyse.cambie@trustpower.co.nz
New Zealand - Tauranga: April 5 - Layering and Prescription	Contact - Denyse Cambie - denyse.cambie@trustpower.co.nz



This is our little Spike. She has been with us now over a week, when Ivana rescued her 10 days ago she was a smelly, maggot infested mess who I did not give a chance. However, now while she is still a wee bit smelly, the wound is clearing up, her appetite is good, best beefsteak mince, chicken breast and cat food laced of course with antibiotics as well as a twice daily shower, her wound dressed and a sweet chatty conversation in Chenglis. Is it possible for a man to jealous of a hedgehog? Though you must admit she is cute. If she can be house trained I think I would like to keep her as a pet, beats the hell out of a cat, needless to say the neighbors and the family all think we are mad.

10 - 11 April. 9am - 4pm -Whangarei City Riding Centre - Bookings Contact: Jock and Ivana ph 09 436 0911 Riders fee $200 - Auditors Welcome $35 per day

For all you riders out there who genuinely care about your horse and how your riding can have an influence upon him this is a clinic that should not be missed. While Ivana and I have many friends who are trainers, some of them we approve of, but others, nuff said! However Peggy Cummings' Connected Riding is a system that not only do we approve of but is the only system down under which we officially endorse. Trisha is an international instructor who's work we have observed first hand and are delighted to sponsor this clinic as it opens up a whole new world of understanding which is valuable not only to the horse, the rider but also to Equine Touch students (Trisha is a Level 3 ET student) and practitioners as they see the problems that can be inflicted on the horse by bad riding and training. Don't miss out on this clinic, the numbers are restricted to allow for more individual one to one instruction, so contact us now.

This letter was sent to one of our students after she had forwarded last week's newsletter to her traner. As you know I am not a rider or tariner so I asked and was given permission to print it unedited. This is what we are all about - helping the horse by eucating humans. Thank you Anna its nice to know we are not alone out there.

I whole heartedly agree with this man!!! In my opinion, Giving Rollkur a new name or banning it from certain competition is not going to do anything. Low, deep and round means absolutely nothing unless the horse is engaged through the hindquarters and working through the back... then the withers start to rise as the horse progressively comes off its forehand etc etc Not terribly good at explaining it. But look at a photo of Moorland Totillas (any of his photos for that matter), even though you almost never see a photo of the horse being "over bent" (lets be kind) I am yet to see a photo of it truly being engaged with its neck rising up and forward out of the withers, instead of being pulled in and tight.

Anyway I very much agree with the article on the points of LDR and the SAS. Rollkur, or even riding a horse in any position without allowing it to stretch, is cruelty through fatigue. This method has been used since our history of prison camps began, to break a prisoner's spirit. Isn't this the same thing the Americans got into so much trouble for at their "detainment facility"????? Most people do not realise that because of the angle at which the horse's head is attached to its neck and the position of the bit in the mouth that the pressure we are able to excert on the horse's jaw is 100's of kg.... add drawreins and the maths becomes frightening! The problem, I hasten to add, is not that we ride our horses with bits though, it is apparently not that hard to break a horse's nose with a bitless bridle... the problem is in working a horse `front to back' rather than the other way around.

As for the consequences to these riders... There won't be any. Anky von Grunsven has taken people to court before for speaking up against her training methods. However, I guess if enough of us writes to the sponsors...then just maybe somebody somewhere with a brain will realise that they are going to get very bad publicity indeed. I believe Patrick Kittel is sponsored by HSBC. As a rider, I will not buy any of Anky's products. Somebody gave me a calender of Totillas... I will not put that on my wall. I don't even want to suggest it for fear that it might take off and then gets back to me as the culprit.... but short of starting a hissing campaign whenever we go to these events and see one of these riders warm up their horses like this or perform this way in the ring, what are we to do?? We use positive and negative reinforcement when training animals, so how about a bit of negative reinforcement for these supposed experts!!??? Ha ha, can you imagine how well that will go down and how many red faces there will be from competitors AND judges! Because lets face it, the judges are just as guilty. In the few competitions that I have had the pleasure to judge I have always severely penalised riders that hung on their horse's heads and purposefully overbent them. Sometimes horses duck in behind the vertical as a means of evasion when they get tired. I see this often in horses that have been backed in drawreins.

I would love to tell this man that I agree with him. Maybe you can tell him he is not alone. It is now up to us on the ground... I try to teach as often as I can that Rollkur is wrong and how to do things correctly. Trouble is: the kids (at riding schools etc) see these celebrity riders ride in this way and win big competitions and they assume that this must be right and acceptable. We need somebody like Anja Beran to get into bigger competitions etc although the recurring theme is that the people who really care about horses and their correct training is not that interested in the "big time". Pity.

Also, the abuse is not just in dressage... think about obese horses in the showring, those poor huffing, puffing showcobs labouring around the ring... how half of them don't collapse from a heart attack I really don't know! Then there is rapping in showjumping.... supposed to be illegal, but it still goes on, I have been on yards where you just knew that when the indoor schools doors were closed you just kept walking. There is issues with the training of Tenessee Walking Horses and Saddlebred horses, jugging polo ponies.... its not just dressage, the list is endless. But it won't go on forever, we have come this far already.

Anna Lindeford BHSPTT & BA Psych

Till next time keep touching - and talking - - Jock

To review the Newsletter Library Click here.