FTP Coaching

08/12/2024

Oh dear ...

04/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gcuQhD6SWNfUmntK/

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱-𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀

A recent study by K. Kienapfel et all (2024) investigated the relationship between head-neck positions (HNPs), conflict behaviour (CB), and judging scores in elite dressage horses. The study examined how these factors align with the animal welfare principles and competition rules established by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:
• Conflict behaviour increases with lower nasal plane angles in elite dressage horses.
• Relationship found between head-neck positions and conflict behaviour.
• Surprising rule contradiction: tests with small poll angles received high scores.
• Urgent need to address animal welfare and enhance solutions in dressage sport.

𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
The study observed 49 horses participating in the Grand Prix Special (CDIO5*) at CHIO Aachen in 2018 and 2019. Researchers analysed video footage of warm-up and competition phases, measuring HNPs (angle at the vertical, poll angle, and shoulder angle) and recording instances of conflict behaviour. These were evaluated against judges' scores.

The results showed that:

▪️ The nasal plane was behind the vertical more frequently during warm-up than in competition (-11° vs. -5°).
▪️ Poll angles were larger in competition (28°) than in warm-up (24°).
▪️ No significant differences were found in shoulder angles between warm-up and competition phases.

Conflict behaviours, including unusual oral movements, occurred more often during warm-up than in competition. Tail swishing was not affected by the nasal plane’s angle.

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀' 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
The study authors concluded that the findings raise concerns about the welfare of elite dressage horses and the application of FEI rules. According to the authors, horses showing restrictive HNPs—such as nasal planes behind the vertical—exhibited more conflict behaviours, yet these positions were not penalised during scoring and, in some cases, correlated with higher scores.

The authors emphasised the importance of addressing these discrepancies to ensure that dressage practices align more closely with established rules and prioritise horse welfare.

30/11/2024

Love ❤️ this.

A light hand, a steady seat, and an open mind—these are the tools of a true dressage rider. It’s easy to get caught up in technique, but the best rides happen when you listen to your horse. Let your aids be questions, not demands, and your horse will respond with grace. The magic of dressage lies in a conversation, not in a command.

29/11/2024

25/11/2024

I was lucky to have another lovely ride yesterday on one of my favorite creamy horses. These days I don't get to jump on Pearl that often and I just love it to feel and expeience how she is developing into a little super horse with Darren's guidance.

https://youtu.be/Yi99xhzrKwo?si=pu-yx4aAbpfELIOF

25/11/2024

Who wouldn't have thought I get in. Stiff comp that was...Halloween Trail Course in October got a prize...:)

25/11/2024

To replace a good horse!
The best horses are built over years of hauling, hard work, tough times, good times, bad times, big spooks, little spooks, their mistakes, our mistakes and continual love and care.

No, your breaker can not turn your young prospect into your old faithful in 30, 60, 90, or even 365 days. It takes years.

I’m plagued with the problem of trying to impress on people how long it truly takes to build that dream partner. There’s not a smooth paved path. Your green horse will embarrass you, frustrate you, and maybe even hurt you. For some of you, buying a $20,000-$30,000 horse is going to be worth it and SAVE you money. Even that more finished horse will take a year or more to sync up with.

Cheap rate for horse training is $1,000 a month.
1 year of training: $12,000
2 years of training: $24,000

Many of you won’t believe this but your dream horse is on the other side of two years of training. In reality, it’s likely around two years of training and two years of seasoning (hauling them to town). Will that horse still make mistakes? Yes, they all make mistakes until the day they die. But that horses mistakes probably won’t put you in serious danger and that horse will probably pack your grandkids around.

If you’re trying to decide between a $3,500 prospect or a $15,000 proven horse. My advice is to do an internal inventory and figure out what you want. Buying that prospect is like the first roll on the Jumanji board. You’re entered up, get ready for a journey of ups and downs (possibly quite literally!) If you’re buying that finished horse decide what you really want, get ready for a lot of shopping and painfully overpriced sh💩tters. Take a friend or a trainer on this journey with you and try to double your budget (that’s right, 30k). Be smart and buy something OVER 8 years old. Don’t buy that pretty 5 year old they only want 20k for. He isn’t old enough to be proven for you. Lots of horse traders are trying to flip horses, anything under 8 is likely twice as green as he looks in the video. Maturity, both mental and physical will be key when looking for a safe horse.

If you want a project and a challenge I’m not hating, that’s what I want in a horse too, so I buy young ones. If you need a safe one, bring lots of money and quit thinking you need a 6 year old. You probably don’t have what it takes to mentally support that 6 year old through new situations.

The biggest reason I bring this up is because as folks retire their old faithful they are so far removed from when that horse was green and did dumb stuff. They forgot how tough those two years were back when he was 4-6. They only remember the amazing horse he was when he matured. The 3 year old they just bought is YEARS from filling that horses shoes when it comes to training level and safety level. I see people hate on trainers because the trainer couldn’t make their young horse, “finished” in 90 days. It’s honestly the biggest reason I like taking colts for 30 or 60 days. The expectation is shockingly lower than when I take one for 90 days. It’s weird what people expect from a 90 day start. Most people should commit to sending their young horse out for a full year. Two years would be even better.

Green horses do green horse things, don’t blame others for the challenge you bought yourself. Accept the challenge or pay the price for one further along. No matter which path you choose with horses, it’s going to cost you.

(I didn’t write this one I’m not sure who did, however every word of it rings true)

Edit, author Craig Moore

24/11/2024

What is dressage? Today that is not a simple question. I think we currently have at least four distinct types of dressage and a few sub types. I have illustrated these four types beginning with the top image of the Duke of Newcastle, William Cavendish, who wrote the first book on dressage translated to English. I will label his dressage as "Aristocratic Menage Dressage".

While Cavendish's writings contributed to other forms including military dressage, what he practiced was the aristocratic Haute Ecole level of riding that became trendy with the ruling classes of Europe beginning in the 16th century. This dressage was a show of wealth requiring massive staff, riding halls, the most expensive horses and attire.

The next type is what I call "Working Dressage", pictured lower left. Like Aristocratic Menage Dressage, Working Dressage has the precision and shared balance and movement in unity of Aristocratic Dressage, but it also has a practical purpose. Working Dressage purposes include working cattle and participation in bullfighting.

The lower center picture is of Anky van Grunsven, Dutch individual Olympic Gold Medalist in dressage 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2008 Beijing. She is considered the originator of and poster child for hyperflexion training or Rollkur. Her dressage is the most commonly known form of dressage that I call "Modern Dressage". For me, this dressage is a contemporary version of Aristocratic Dressage. It is about money, "art", the most expensive horses and all the rest that the centuries old European ruling class pursued with their wealth and power. It has no purpose except to demonstrate itself.

Lastly, at the lower right we see Henri Chammartin, Swiss equestrian, who won the 1964 Olympic individual gold medal in dressage. This version of dressage I call "Military Dressage". It is the ultimate form of dressage in terms of practical application because lives depended on it. While similar to Working Dressage in its purposeful applications, it takes equation to a level that includes work at the gallop, meaning it includes the entire range of the horse's ability to collect and extend.

Military Dressage is free of all affectations, trends, and fashion and its lowest common denominator was its kill or be killed context. Military Dressage was the universal standard for the non aristocrats up until the 1960s. It was the singular method in all five phases of Combined Training, now called Eventing, as well as in Grand Prix jumping.

All of these forms of dressage claim, in varying degrees, to be based in the unity of balance and movement. However, I think that these four forms fall into two categories. Aristocratic Menage Dressage and its current revival as Modern Dressage I will, out of kindness, refer to as artful, however artificial their expressions might be. Working Dressage and Military Dressage are more practical and whatever art they express is in the form-follows-function tradition.

Others like Cowboy Dressage, Western Dressage I see as having some dressage principles that are transplanted into a context where dressage has no clear roots. This does not invalidate them. They only have me wondering how they will evolve over time.

I have avoided using the term "Classical Dressage" because, like so many horsemanship terms, "classical" has lost so much of its meaning due to widely different uses. Is Cavendish's or Working Dressage Classical? What about Saumur and the Spanish Riding School? They all have some right to the term classical, and there are plain imposters using the term as well. I hope this clears up at least some of the confusion around dressage in today's horse world.

24/11/2024

20/11/2024

Some serious basics..

Welcome to FTP Coaching, Here is another little video with Poppy and this time she is mastering the arena in walk and trot. She is learning to stay on the ra...

20/11/2024

Just amazing footage. Love these guys. Look out for them and their workshops as they are amazing to learn from.

19/11/2024

Poppy's October shenanigans...
Turn volume on and most importantly subscribe for future funnies....

Welcome to FTP CoachingDon your top hats, adjust those monocles, because we're about to drop the curtain on the glamorous equine escapade of the year. Grab ...

19/11/2024

November Obstacle Course for you to practice. Here is a walk through before posting my ridden version. Enjoy...

Don't forget to subscribe to get the ridden version of it.

Welcome to FTP CoachingWe have another obstacle course for you to walk through with me and get to know the course and its obstacles. Subscribe below so that ...

17/11/2024

Our youngsters lining up for a group photo.

15/11/2024

The Trail Challenges have yielded their rewards for me. Interestingly, a ribbon can generate considerable enthusiasm. With world show qualification achieved, dedicated practice is necessary. This will be my last event of the year. After that I might socialise again. 🤣😂

03/11/2024

Here is the October Trail Challenge ridden if you keen to watch it. Not our best performance but we got still 3rd place. Now we are practising for the Nov Challenge. If you keen pm me for more details.

25/10/2024

Are you seeking a stunning performance and or pleasure horse with a heart of gold and great looks to boot? Here she is...Our PEARL is for SALE.

Having graced our lives since she was a 4-month-old foal accompanying her dam, Cattle Girl, we’ve had the absolute delight of watching Pearl blossom into an exceptional mare boasting grace, skill, and a photogenic presence even in paddock condition.
Pearl’s journey with us has been adorned with numerous horsemanship clinics and diligent training sessions, ensuring she is well-prepared to succeed and excel in any equine discipline. As an adept riding horse, she exudes both the allure for show rings and the versatility for diverse riding experiences.
Currently, Pearl is back in active work, showcasing her readiness to embark on a new chapter with a rider who values superb quality. She is offered for sale to genuinely interested buyers who appreciate the refinement and dedication Pearl embodies.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a mare of such calibre, trained with love and care, eager to perform and achieve excellence. Be sure to latch onto this prospect quick, for a horse like Pearl is a treasure that does not come by often. See details below.

21/10/2024

Morning all, next trail challenge for some fun. Halloween theme this time. Walk through and Ridden video will follow.
30m by 17m space 12 activities.

https://youtu.be/Wt1te2C2ZEE?si=swkeLGMmKb9xiY8H

Check it out ...focus on fore and hindquarters turns and sideways.

Walk through the Halloween Obstacle Course. Focus on: Turn on forehandTurn on hindquartersBackup and sideways. What it ridden if you keen and use the link be...