Comments on: Ignorance and Power – Maurizio Patti

By: Ruth Lomax

Ruth Lomax — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:34:10 +0000

I agree whole heartedly with every word but if the general public do not respond in horror like we do then the fault is ours. We have the superior knowledge. It is upto us to spread . Get the Welfare organisations on it. Get the goverments on it. If the FEI wont do anything, they must be shamed into it.
Name and Shame all riders who use this technique. Boo them at competition. Oh Horrors – booing at a dressage competition. We need to do more than complain within the realatively small circles of dressage, even equestrian. It would make for a good TV progeramme where the riders and FEI members are interviwed and held to public account.

By: Sun Tui

Sun Tui — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:36:05 +0000

There is overwhelming evidence of horsemanship that gets the same results and finish with out the barbaric use of Rolkur. It is a poor reflection of ALL professional equine bodies who condone (by not banning) this equipment, and they are clearly not understanding the value of ‘good’ horsemanship if they allow competitors to rely on intimidation to get their horses cooperation. It is interesting to note and delineate, what a truly talented and professional horse person can achieve, with out the use of such equipment.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:35:02 +0000

It does seem that part of the problem lies in the fact that no one felt they could raise the issue without fear of some type of negative recall. I dont think it is because everyone does not care, the process of becoming a dressage rider must involve some type of progressive shutting down of one’s ability to recognise the separation of a healthy ego and the temptation to take advantage of the real power and grace afforded by the horse that eventually leads to such a numbness of feeling that people are no longer aware of what they are doing. The job and moral responsibility of any trainer is not to create pain and suffering, unfortunately, trainers earn their money selling their ‘top’ horses to rich but possibly uneducated individuals who will stop at nothing to justify spending loads of loot on a horse therefore it must go and win so we can prove to suger daddy that it was money well spent. What a dysfunctional mess we are in, at some point throughout this whole process someone needed to stop and help everyone to stay on the page from the horses point of view, thinking about it, it seems such an impossible task but is’nt this what regulatory traning bodies and standards are supposed to do, if they are not working its an even bigger mess. Let us hope and pray that these words and those of others help in some tiny way to support positive change for everyone, we all benefit when we pay close attention to the impact our behaviour has on those around us.

By: Deborah Norris

Deborah Norris — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:29:36 +0000

There are comments under the original posting of this video in YouTube defending the rider and saying there’s nothing wrong with this horse being ridden in this manner. Reflecting that not only are those around the ring apparently oblivious and/or condoning the practices so clearly displayed – but that there is a growing number of people who think that this is ‘normal’ and indeed seemingly desirable riding and training practice. I have shown non-horsey people rollkur videos and they are shocked at how distressed the horses look, wonder why they are drooling and foaming at the mouth and why the horse’s breathing is so laboured and loud. So why is it that dressage fans, many of whom will be riders or trainers themselves, find it so difficult to see the truth so clearly laid out before them?

“All it takes for evil to triumph is for one good man to stand by and say nothing”

Unfortunately, even though one (only ONE!) spectator complained the stewards stood by and did nothing. The FEI Dressage body should be thoroughly ashamed of their stance in defending these riders and trainers (and rewarding their efforts in the show ring). There is growing anger and resentment that this is still going on – especially in the light of peer-reviewed scientific and veterinarian studies that prove how damaging both physically and mentally rollkur training is. How long will this situation be allowed to continue?

By: Stina Herberg

Stina Herberg — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:37:12 +0000

Thank you for this post, it contains alot of very useful information.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:07:39 +0000

I don’t even know what to say. It is such incredibly abusive behavior and I am naive enough to be shocked. I imagine anyone seeing this would either have to scream or become numb and in denial of the reality. How can this be stopped? Does my comment have any effect? Where is the power?