POINT OF VIEW
Ten years ago, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann released his book Tug of War, a searing indictment of certain modern training and riding techniques used to the detriment of the horse. His message is an impor- tant one that I’d like to see more riders embrace.
D
r. Gerd Heuschmann trained as a Bereiter (mas- ter rider) in Germany be-
fore qualifying for veterinary study at Munich University. There he specialized in equine orthopedics for two years before accepting a post as the head of the breed- ing department at the German Equestrian Federation (FN), which he eventually left to start his own practice in Warendorf. He has been an active mem-
By Andrea Haller
Heuschmann Continues to Spread his Message with Clinics and Books
Bend. This is a critical examination of two concepts— flexion and bend—that are necessary to understand in absolute terms when the goal is to achieve collection on horseback. In this new book, Dr. Heuschmann cites the many
masters of classical dressage who wrote essays and even entire books about flexion at the horse’s poll and longitu- dinal bend of the horse’s body. Dr. Heuschmann strives to fuse the often complex classic literature with the re- sults of his own studies as an expert in equine anatomy and biomechanics. He meticulously describes various movements used, their desired effects and the truth behind the rider’s role in each. In addition, he shares his recommendations for dealing with the horse’s natural crookedness and “false bend,” providing basic guidelines for schooling that en- sure correct gymnasticization with the end-goal of a more athletic, collected horse, and a happy, healthy horse in the long run.
ber of the ‘hyperflexion’ (a.k.a. rollkur) debate, weighing in at the 2005 USDF National Symposium and the 2006 FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees’ Workshop. Tug of War and his DVD If Horses Could Speak are both, ac- cording to his publisher, international bestsellers. In fact, according to publisher Trafalgar Square Books, “Tug of War is one of the most-often referenced books by serious horsemen looking to improve equestrian sport.” “In the mid-2000s the German veterinarian Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, working with German Olympic dressage champion Klaus Balkenhol, created headlines when they publicized the findings of Heuschmann’s anatomical and biomechanical studies of hyperflexion,” Jennifer Bryant wrote in the article “Rollkur: Dressage’s Dirty Word,” pub- lished on
TheHorse.com. Dr. Heuschmann says hyper- flexion not only fails to develop the proper musculature for upper-level dressage, it can also restrict the horse’s airway. This year Dr. Heuschmann has released his follow-up
Dr. Heuschmann is from Germany and is an author, clinician, veteri- narian and ex- pert on the horse’s biomechanics.
book, Collection or Contortion? Exposing the Misconcep- tions and Exploring the Truths of Horse Positioning and
NO MATTER THE DISCIPLINE Attending a riding clinic conducted by Dr. Heuschmann is an enlightening experience, as he works with all lev- els of riders and different types of horses. This past May, I was delighted to witness how he put his knowledge and theory into practice with half a dozen participants at a clinic in North Carolina. “When I look at the question, what is classical dres- sage or better—classical riding—because for me, classi- cal has nothing to do with the discipline. For me a clas- sical rider is able to train his horse for what he wants to do, without damaging the horse’s body or mind. In fact, a cowboy can be a classical rider, if he is a good cowboy,” Dr. Heuschmann says. “I was visited by a cowboy from Montana a few years
ago,” he explains. “He was out of the United States for the first time. He is a great horseman and has spent his life with his cattle and his horses. This cowboy worked my horse on the ground, and, I watched him do exactly the same thing as I do, which followed my own biomechani- cal explanations. He addressed issues such as lateral walk steps and the horse’s back, shoulders and poll.” “Working with his rope he said, ‘Now we open the poll,’ and next he said, ‘This brings the mind to the ground.’
Warmbloods Today 47
Courtesy Dr. Heuschmann
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