Adamo Equestrian

12/09/2024

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎

12/07/2024

11/20/2024

Why is a Supple Back an Essential Part of Self Carriage?

Self-carriage is the hallmark of good classical German horse training.

It reflects the horse’s ability to move in balance, harmony, and lightness without relying on the rider for support.

Our own lead trainer, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann follows the teaching of one of the old masters, Gustav Steinbrecht, who emphasizes the importance of ethical, biomechanically correct methods to achieve this.

Riding a horse behind the vertical compromises self-carriage and harms the horse.

As Dr. Heuschmann explains in one of his books, Tug of War, forcing the horse’s head down creates tension, restricts the airflow, and negatively impacts the horse’s movement.

A horse behind the vertical cannot engage its back properly, leading to stiffness and a lack of true impulsion.

A supple back is essential for self-carriage.

Steinbrecht, in his foundational text The Gymnasium of the Horse, stresses that only a relaxed, elastic back allows the hindquarters to engage fully and carry weight, promoting balance and freedom of movement.

Starting young horses correctly lays the foundation for lifelong soundness.

Dr. Heuschmann always warns against rushing young horses into forced frames, as it can cause physical and mental harm.

Instead, patient training builds strength, flexibility, and trust, ensuring the horse develops naturally into self-carriage.

If this is something that is appealing and you want to learn more, we are honored to have several courses and webinars presented by Dr. Heuschmann.

Get a 50% discount on this bundle when you enter the code "classical" at checkout.

Learn more about the course content and register here:

https://www.equitopiacenter.com/shop/from-biomechanics-to-classical-riding-to-problem-solving/

11/16/2024

Look at baby SanT with his mommy 🖤🖤🖤

C**t by San Amour out of Don Schufro mare

11/14/2024

With horses, this is not okay. Maintaining your comfort zone can be devastating to the horse.

11/09/2024

Yelena Petushkova - not only a researcher and biochemist, but also an Olympic Gold medalist in 1972.

11/09/2024

10/31/2024

The Importance of Understanding How Horses Work

As we continue with our Vision and Mission of investigating, curating and delivering reliable resources that prioritize horse welfare as an essential part of being a good rider or equine professional, the impact of forcing a head and neck position is still greatly ignored and misunderstood.

As equestrian sport continues to reward protocols that are harmful to horse welfare and dismiss the lack of rider skill when it comes to the topic of horse welfare, we are pleased to see that awareness, education and advocacy are on the rise:)

When it comes to hyperflexing of a horse's head and neck, through gadgets and/or force, we need to speak up louder and engage in productive discussion based on the evidence and research.

If you are looking to learn more or better understand why Behind the Vertical, Rollkur and LDR are harmful, here is a link to the latest accumulation of research projects on the topic:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-72766-5

As part of our efforts to educate both owners and professionals on this topic, including what to look for, we have many educators who expand on the topic, give examples.

Our most recent addition to the library of resources comes from German based classical trainer, Bianca Rieskamp (photo in top left corner), who dives into the biomechanics and consequences of riding behind the vertical.

When logged in, you can check it out here:

https://www.equitopiacenter.com/video-category-2/training-members-videos/

Not a member? Sign up for our 7 day free trial and experience the benefits of our platform at www.equitopiacenter.com

10/17/2024

Another amazing clinic on the books! The theme I took from this was "Standing up tall!" It's no easy feat to achieve vertical forelegs, lifted sternums, and tall proud horses. For a horse to carry us, and do so for many years in good health, this is a bare minimum requirement. If you would like to learn this and many more ways to keep your dancing partner healthy, strong, and happy please visit us at future clinics! Thanks so much Pippa Callanan!

10/10/2024

09/28/2024

We still have space for auditors!
Please join us!