Reining Rollkur: any ride at a weekend show
Shame in the reining pen as Rollkur becomes the latest trend in training horses. This video is what any person would see any weekend at a reining show as trainers and riders focus on the head control and leverage of spoon bits for the control of the horse. Reining Rollkur is a hyperflexion that is scientifically proven to cause stress and pain to horses. The horse loses much of its vision whilst in this head carriage, but that does not seem to be a concern to reining horse people. Originating from the dressage pen, this is now a serious problem as trainers look for more shortcuts and control or ultimate submission from their rides. Justification from poorly educated people attempting to refute science only lowers their credibility as horsemen (woman) even further.
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So sad to see such majestic animals treated with such contempt.
This is getting block in dressage with some countries banning it. Why is the NRHA endorsing it and allowing it to grow in popularity. Does this association and its trainers not care about horses – their welfare statement I just read is a joke. If you have an event in your area – block them and make it known how cruel these people really are.
These people are completely unaware of the pain they inflict on these kind animals. They are just drones copying each other without asking questions. Seems you have to drink the cool-aid to be in reining or your out the barn door. Its a barn I walked away from for this reason.
I too have abstained from getting deeply involved in reining for the above reasons. I just can’t do what it takes so my mares are still open and will just post around here and there for me. Sad.
They seem to just copy each other and think it is normal – stand outside with my eyes and you will see what a freak show this is now. Reining used to be a cool event but I would not watch it now after seeing this.Sad really.
I’m not sure what they are showing here other than a bunch of super broke very nicely trained and supple horses. Bring in the Calvary bc I’m about to get slain over this comment I think but….seriously??? Engaged hind ends, soft and supple bodies. No different than yoga and Pilates for ppl or gymnasts. I guarantee you these horses are treated with extreme care to benefit their health and mental and physical well being… more time goes into their every day comfort than the actual training. The idea of this is ludicrous. Soon riding horses at all will be banned and illegal if people keep this ridiculousness up
Shauna. You may not have caught our latest Blog and certainly the horses did not benefit from your guarantee they would be treated with extreme care. We hope you take the time to read the article and digest what it says. Reining Trainers Engima
I agree with you 100%. These horses are very well trained and not in pain. It’s all supple horses with a light touch on the reigns or leg pressure. The tugging on the reigns gets them to lowwrytheir heads. I wish my horses were this soft.
So Shauna, do you look past rollkur and hyperflexion by force because the horse has finally given up and surrendered his hind end? The end justifies the means? The coarse and clumsy yanking on the bit? It’s very unsophisticated and is a method that can be attained by anyone who can pull hard on a rein. The sweet natured horses that make it to the top are just too bullied to fight against it. But many breeds and types of horses will not put up with it. My baroque horses would unload someone who yanked on them like this.
So long as the judges place the horse who travel this way, it will not change. The same goes for the crippled western pleasure horse.
100% Kathy Boots. Trainers do what is rewarded! The breed and show organizations need to get together on this…and what about fellow trainers/owners speaking up when they see this in warm up..
So are you against spurs now as well. And is it ok to flog a horse in the Melbourne cup and races leading up to it. Ohhhh please…
If they are gouging the sides out of the horses and drawing blood – yes everyone is against spurs. If they are used correctly, then no. That would be a very popular consensus based on all the comments on the site and Facebook.
The bay horse at 2:09 is obviously lame/sore on his right hind. Futurity horses have a short shelf life for sound hocks. There is a pile of lame washouts for every one that makes it to the top. Way to go trainers.