Amanda Bussy - EE Dressage Diary to Advanced Medium and Beyond

06/01/2024

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22/10/2023

15/10/2023

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08/10/2023

Who Remembers the "Mise en main“?

Some, it is said, are surprised or even shocked when they see photos which show horses that can be seen with the curb rein adjusted and the snaffle rein loose. We can understand them since they are not many anymore who ride in this way, and also because if we refer to one of the rare documents, widely used which deals with this question, the Dressage regulations of the FEI. It can be read in article 416 that the contact must be mainly ensured through the snaffle rein which is practically not often enough the case, the two reins being too often equally tight in the world of nowadays’s dressage competitions!
Still, to equate a horse ridden on the curb alone with animal abuse is far too short-sighted and with the following text I want to explain why.�

In France we have a term which is essential when training and riding a horse: This is the „mise en main“, a term that general Decarpentry used to describe the relaxation of the horse’s mouth when the horse is on the bit. Decarpentry classified it „of capital importance when handling the horse“.
Fillis also made a big deal of it. He sees it resulting from the balance in the impulsion, obtained and preserved by a direct flexion. This is perfected by "the delicate play of the fingers, by an incessant fi*****ng comparable to the fi*****ng of the piano player.“ �And Dominique Ollivier added that "the feeling is so pleasant that it incites to seek it continuously". A feeling that I completely share.

��The verticality of the head in the direct flexion being sought after by the curb bit, granted and kept by the weight of the reins, ensures the horse's relaxation at the same time as it maintains it in an attitude of harmonious balance. Colonel Margot painted most of the horses that can be admired in a collection of his works ("Cheval Cavalier -" Cheminement editions 1996) with the adjusted curb rein and the loose snaffle rein. It is also in this attitude that he drew, very often, the horses of the various books that he had been asked to illustrate.

Note also that on the cover of his book "Horsmanship", published by Odège in 1973, the legendary Alois Podhajsky is shown with a collected horse whose contact is ensured by the curb rein only, a common practice during the solo display at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna until nowadays.
Udo Bürger, veterinarian of the Hanover Cavalry School, student of Felix Bürkner, authoritative referent, without being so precise on the use of the curb bit, nevertheless affirms in his book „The Way to Perfect Horsmanship“ that the soft effect of the actions of the hand depends entirely on the relaxation of the mouth ". �A clear indication of the convergence of classical horsemanship approaches .
To sum up: It was by the „mise en main“ that collection was sought and obtained in the French School. This happened to such an extent that one could say that the „mise en main“ and the lightness, which is its corollary, were its most significant heritage.

But what about the „mise en main“, this infallible relaxation of the mouth when the horse is correctly on the bit, today? Not much, to tell the truth, and this, without doubt, for several reasons.
The first is cultural. Who cares these days about the teaching of the masters who came before us?
Do we really want to benefit from their experience? However, for all of them, the relaxation of the jaw was at the heart of their practice.
Another reason is the globalization. It increased the number of exchanges, mainly through competitions, and led to the standardization of riding. It is accentuated in the discipline of Dressage to the point where almost all competitors „muzzle“ their horses with tight nosebands, forbidding them to have this relaxed chewing mouth I am talking about here. Better, or rather worse: Some renowned riders in France claim today that by opening the mouth the horses stiffen at the poll and that it is therefore necessary to close the mouth. �In fact, this is the opposite of the "mise en main".
And as some of those who win in Dressage today do it with more or less mute horses, we believe we have to imitate them. This is what is recommended by our French officials who encourage us to "get in line with all the developments and take inspiration from the best riders of the moment …", as if talent was the guarantor of the correctness of ideas!

So here we are in full contradiction. Indeed the texts, whether they are the FEI or FEF regulations, show a great prodigality concerning the description of the horse on the bit (the „mise en main“ having disappeared from the vocabulary). And most of these texts mention a calm and relaxed mouth allowing a soft and light contact....�Our French federation timidly denounces the mouths closed by too tight nosebands and suggests that we can pass a finger between the leather and the noseband on the horse’s nasal planum, which is not very generous. Obedience to the hand and contact must now be sought by the relaxation of the neck and poll, without further clarification. The yielding of the mouth is forgotten.
In fact, it is the High School that our century has abandoned as well as the different stages that led to it. An international version with French sauce makes up for it here. Thanks to the progression (training) scale the whole spectrum from elementary riding to high level riding is covered. The methods have faded in favor of the objectives. We are in the why more than in the how, a topic that I already thematized two years ago on these pages.

In our time of modernity where incessant progress is linked to emancipations, doctrinal wavering leads to the appearance among us of oracles who break free from the ties that bound them to their home community. They market a horsemanship more faithful to their own principles than to those which had been in use at the prestigious institution of which several, nevertheless, recommend themselves. This does not facilitate the transmission of this essential marker of horse riding in the French tradition that we found in the culture of the „mise en main“.

One way out of this deadlock could be found in high level dressage competition. If the FEI would finally stop falling deaf to the numerous public pleas, petitions and scientific findings published by the ISES, they would introduce a noseband rule which deserves this name. A rule which would include a standardized measurement by a taper gauge, like already in use in Switzerland. And a rule which would foresee at least two fingers flat on the nose ridge. Instead of measuring at the side of the head where the horse’s anatomy allows still a finger to be pushed in between the noseband and the cheek, even if the noseband is severely cranked.�A real noseband rule would more or less prohibit riding with force, would hardly forgive hand errors, and would bring the reality of competition closer to the rules of the game which codify it and which is far removed from it.

Christian Carde, 12th December 2020

06/10/2023

Why oh why would you do a programme about listening to horses then publicly show yourself restricting the horse’s movement, cause it to overbend way beyond the vertical and tell the world your listening to him?!
Not sure there’s any listening going on there

06/10/2023

I have a a couple of spaces for lessons in the North West if anyone is looking to advance their riding to be in complete harmony with their horse ❤️

06/10/2023

Draw reins are abuse 😢

Do Short Cuts Work?

Draw reins are used to counteract the startle response by forcing the horse into the opposite shape. The horse, being a fight or flight creature responds either by pushing against the pull of the draw reins, developing the wrong muscles or by escaping behind the bit by overbending.

By using draw reins you are in fact teaching the horse to evade. Ironically, by forcing the horse into a "desirable" outline you are creating even more problems for yourself.

Look at any symptomatic approach for example taking a sleeping tablet for insomnia. Does it cure insomnia - does it remove the source of anxiety? These approaches may cover up the symptoms but they do not get to the route of the problem.

Draw reins, far from being aids to training are restrictive and potentially harmful instruments that create pain and tension. They may cause or exacerbate a variety of undesirable conditions, ranging from headaches to breathing difficulties and lameness.

The pull of the draw reins cause excessive flexion to the vertebrae of the poll and upper neck. The resulting pressure on the brain could worsen any existing weakness of the spine. It causes tightening of the lower ribs and tension in the back muscles and the disturbance of the nerve supply to the front legs could easily cause lameness of the front limbs.

The most saddening and disappointing effects of such gadgets including tight side reins, is that they make it more difficult for the horses' back to raise into flexion, so the hind legs struggle to step under. And what effect does this have on the horse's spirit and well-being?

By trapping horses in at the front, you distort the way they use their quarters. If a horse cannot work freely, his engine is choked up, his timing out, he is literally "backfiring".

De La Gueriniere said: "Suppleness and lack of constraint are the prerequisites for voluntarily offered obedience, not for agonised subjection of the horse being ridden."

Extract from Riding Success without Stress p38, 39
Joni Bentley

03/10/2023

Heather is absolutely spot on about saddles being a big issue when trying to ride with a correct position ❤️

Heather Moffett pioneered the teaching of riding with horse movement simulators and has taught and lectured worldwide with them. She developed a 'hands on' u...

03/10/2023

Three of the horses have come in for winter and I’m already exhausted. No idea how I will feel in another two weeks when all nine are in for winter

03/10/2023

No turning back now 😬😂

02/10/2023

No horse should have to endure this 😢😢

🐴Horses: It starts with being aware and Raising Awareness

😓Happy Riders on horses that look like this. NOT just a moment in time -hopefully that argument has run its course!

🌟Thankfully, as the quest for good quality education is rising, we can have more elevated levels of conversation around the evidence and research that highlights the extent of abusive practices in the ridden horse world - across all levels and disciplines.

🛑Whether intentional or out of ignorance, there is no excuse these days, with the amount of information that is at our disposal, to utilise or accept practices that do not prioritise horse welfare.

🎇🎇As part of our Vision and Mission, Equitopia hopes to help with raising awareness and providing evidence and research based information, so that we can move towards protocols that accomplish the change that is needed.

👉🙏Learn more about our Vision and Mission, and PLEASE consider joining our membership program for only $7.95/month - we rely on this monthly income to not only continue with our Mission, but to support the 14 rescue horses here that inspire us to battle on:)

https://www.equitopiacenter.com/membership-plans/

👉You can also help by becoming an ambassador - this involves a copy and paste message once a week and you could potentially cover the cost of your membership or more:

https://www.equitopiacenter.com/equitopia-ambassadors/

🌏As a founding member of The Alliance for Horse Welfare in Sport, we are working towards uniting those who want to see change, and enforce legislation and rules that accomplish it.

Please follow us on FB and sign the petition:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092105391896

02/10/2023

❤️❤️

We went to the Jessica von Bredow-Werndl demo today at the lovely Addington Equestrian hosted by Equestrian Management Agency
The event was really well run (and a great Christmas present from Judy Fw )

💫Wow wow wow 💫

Jessica is a European, World and Olympic champion, so we definitely had high hopes for her demo.
It is safe to say that the day exceeded all expectations, Jessica's passion and joyful approach shone through whilst working with very talented horses and riders.

I thought I might share a few of my key notes from the day (maybe not all 10 pages on my phone...)
Some of what Jessica said really resonated with me, some points were a refreshing reminder, and others took an entirely new angle/solution to things.

✅️The Young Horse - it's all about good experience, creating the happy athlete. Although at times it's easy to hang on with a young horse, lengthen the rein, slow down, praise the horse, and breathe.

✅️ Give them no reason to run away, give them a moment, and let them look around (especially mares!). Over excitment is a good thing, it shows the horse loves to move. It's better than kicking around trying to create energy. Allow the horse to gain self-confidence, give them space in the contact, don't fear mistakes. Don't suppress them in their natural energy. Influence their character in a positive way.

✅️Warm-up time should be as short as possible and as long as necessary. If teaching a new movement, teach it at the beginning of the session after the warm-up. They are more focused at that time.

✅️ Centre line then leg yield into shoulder in. This is Jessica's exercise for all horses as a warm-up. The leg yield helps relax the horse, and it allows you to get your leg on and wrap around the horse ready for communication.

✅️Don't always praise with hand. It can be a shake in mouth. Use voice for reassuring.

✅️ Walk breaks are super important. How do they give you everything if they don't get a break regularly. It also sets you up for competition, practising switching the horse on and off.

✅️Medium canter, use travers before collecting the canter to engage the inside hind leg within the canter. This helps with showing the horse HOW you want them to collect (e.g, hind leg under).

✅️When asking a question (e.g, canter balance), don't be afraid to let the horse make mistakes, make the correction, and carry on. Having a mistake is a learning process.

✅️Suppleness is found behind saddle, not in the neck.

✅️Only go as much forward as you can do without holding them in contact as young horses. Choose a tempo that you can give the rein. Let them find their own balance.

✅️If they have a joy to move, thats what a grand Prix horse needs.

✅️Long neck- short body. Younger horses need a slightly more lifted neck.

✅️Always feel responsible for the exercise, if it doesn't work, change it.

✅️It is easier to explain horses to 'jump' more under with the hid leg by SLOWING DOWN. Explaining HOW we want them to move (e.g hind leg under). Listen to the footfall of the hooves, if it's loud in front it is often an indication of an unbalanced way of going.

✅️Less is more!

✅️Look for the big picture when training, how should it look? what is needed to make it look like this? If you want to change something you have to do it consistently.

✅️Always train long line of half passes with shoulder in. It's the in and out that teaches them how to carry themselves.

✅️Travers through corners helps activate the hind end through the corner.

✅️The neck follows the ribcage. It's all about the ribcage.

✅️Warm up/cool down is an easy jog, not an expressive jog. It's a stretching out for the back. You must still want the hindleg from the first movement (e.g when you first move off). Don't let the horse run away from the hindlegs and then try and explain later that you want them on the hindlegs!

✅️Slow down!

✅️Tell them how great they are and they will become greater!

✅️Don't train extended trot- it happens when the balance in the collection is better.

✅️With the changes, ignore the mistakes, praise the correct ones. Riding a circle with changes on makes the horse supple and even both ways within the change. On the circle, move the body away from the direction of change to open the side of the body for the change.

✅️If the horse paddles out behind in piaffe, add the sideways. Piaffe in shoulder in and then out in shoulder in. Focus just on the transitions in and out, not the piaffe itself. It's ok to be tense in piaffe, stay in it, work through it, explain it! It's not stressful, use shoulder in. Sideways (shoulder in) is a door you open (a vent) to allow the energy to positively go somewhere. This helps the horses find the right solution. Piaffe from ground first is essential. Then ask for it sitting on the horse, but still with someone on ground.

✅️Get them infront of your seat!

✅️Don't focus on the horses weaknesses, look for their strengths and use them to improve the weaknesses.

✅️Within canter Pirouette, flex to outside to connect with the inside hind leg. Don't train whole pirouettes, train them HOW to use their body.

💫These are a few of my notes💫
I think it was very clear from the way Jessica presented herself, although she is world number 1, it is all about the journey training horses to Grand Prix.
To sign off Jessica wanted to remind us that...

It's great to have goals, big goals. But more importantly is the how...how we interact daily with horses, how we act with our horses as partners, how we train.
When you win a gold.. it's a few moments of a high. What stays with you is the journey, the horse who did everything for you. We want our horses to be excited and happy to see us, happy to move. This is what it's all about. It's about the love. The joy. Is about the journey and we are privileged to spend our time with them.

💫💫💫

01/10/2023

When you can’t go to a training session because waggon battery is flat 😢😢😢

30/09/2023

Quadrifolio’s (Hero) turn for a training session at Penrith tomorrow ❤️

29/09/2023

Niyah having a lesson hacking out on Scarlet ❤️

29/09/2023

Helen and Marley having a lesson from me

29/09/2023

Some in hand practice for Thomas and Unex Modigliani

29/09/2023

Lesson one on Unex Modigliani (Ludo) with Omar Rabia (EE level 4) ❤️❤️

29/09/2023

Second ridden lesson with Omar Rabia, I’m riding Unex Modigliani (Ludo)