A Matter of Trust - Volume I - DVD Review

DVD Review

A Matter of Trust - Volume I

Introduction of DVD

v  Walter A. Zettl is a life-long equestrian with over 57 years experience in riding and coaching some of the world’s finest horses and students.  Walters’ many successes include international level competitions at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and the North American Young Riders.  Walter is the author of Dressage in Harmony and countless articles published in the U.S. and Europe. His knowledge of Classical Dressage is unsurpassed. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1929 and now a resident of Canada, he travels all over the world teaching his life’s work to equine enthusiasts everywhere.

v  A Matter of Trust, Volume I, is the first of a four part series that will cover classical dressage techniques from Training level through Grand Prix.  Including basic guidelines for equine behavior, movement, gaits, physical and mental characteristics of the horse as well as a training plan for the first year.  The first half of the video gives an intricate look at the horse, the rider, timing of the aids, movement and correct use of seat and aids. The second half delivers an extraordinary lesson plan for establishing a solid foundation.

v  Walter elaborates on the theory which the classical masters have used for centuries. His classic approach re-defines the correct training methods, proper movements and carriage of the horse.  In this video, Walter sets the standards of what true classical dressage was meant to be.

Some of the special features of this DVD include interviews with Walter that are candid, informative and full of heart.

There are also two lessons in their entirety.

This video is 230 minutes of pure enjoyment for anyone who loves horses and it showcases Walter  Zettl as  one of the true masters of classical dressage instruction, the way it is meant to be.  I found this DVD to be informative and easy to follow.  Listening to this man and his quiet way of teaching and learning from his years of experience, I could only wish I had found an instructor of this caliber and heart somewhere along the way with my horses. Anyone who is interested in riding correctly and treating the horse with respect should definitely invest in this set.  So far, I have only watched this first video but I was so impressed that I would recommend the entire four-volume set without even seeing the rest of it.  Rest assured when I get the time to watch the remainder of the set I will give you an update. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to be a grown-up with responsibilities and not enough time to do what you want when the mood strikes. If you would rather not purchase the set without seeing the contents first, you can rent it at www.giddyupflix.com. I’m sure that once you view A Matter of Trust you’ll want to keep a set on hand to refer back to again and again.

On closing one more thing I’ve got to comment on was the man himself, I’m not easily impressed by people (especially instructors) but this man is the genuine article.  One thing he said that stayed with me: “The horse’s eyes are his soul”. When was the last time you heard an instructor say something like that!

Until next time

Quote for Today

“I attempt to educate riders to make their horses happy, confident and proud to work for them. Force and battling have no place in my training method. I speak with absolute certainty on this point because I have witnessed its success for 50 years and have sadly watched the effects of rough, insensitive, and impatient methods on these patient animals. I believe in dressage as art, and I have practiced that art throughout my professional life.”
-Walter A. Zettl

DVD Review - If Horses Could Speak

If Horses Could Speak

A DVD Review

Horses do not make a specific noise when they are in pain and yet with practice it is possible to read their state of health from their face and especially their eyes.
One years work went into developing the unique 3-D animation which clearly
demonstrates where false riding hurts and why.

IF HORSES COULD SPEAK

by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann

75 minute DVD by Dr. Gerhard Heuschmann

Introduction spoken by Hans-Heinrich Isenbart

The moving 3D-horse at walk and trot is a world novelty, which clearly depicts what happens in the horse's body with hyperflexion techniques that are currently widely rewarded in competition arenas around the world.

Positive and negative live rides by Hans Riegler (Chief écuyer Spanish Riding School, Vienna) and David de Wispelaere (Grand Prix Rider, awarded with the Piaffe Horsemanship award 2008) and others.

Computer professionals, who had worked on known movies like Jurassic Park, King Kong and other 3D-animations developped this project. The animation lets the viewer understand completely, why false riding must lead to permanent damages!

With the complex 3D-animation, work movements can be depicted now. Currently, you see the horse standing with moving neck and head and its anatomic effects on back and hindquarters. Drawings of skeletons and muscles literally become vivid. The whole walk and trot mechanism will also be shown in the movie.

Everyone who loves his horse will watch this movie to understand: The rider who does not want to understand the horse's anatomy will torture his horse consciously in the future. What horseman does really want that?

Below is a synopsis of the DVD Review I condensed from this site. If you would like to read the full review go to:

http://www.equibooks.com/heuschmann.html

The DVD Reviewed

This video shows how incorrect modern riding negatively affects horses' health. Experienced rider and horse veterinarian Dr. Gerd Heuschmann employs the highest level of technological help to capture the horse in 3D and clearly demonstrates the biomechanics of the horse and displays the 'torture' that ‘rollkur’ can cause in the breakdown of the horse.

The material here explicitly details each gait and riding techniques that are currently rewarded in competition arenas around the world. His plain speaking on behalf of the horse and his depth of research and understanding of the horse in both mind and body will impress any rider.

The production is of the highest quality and Dr. Heuschmann has presented a factual basis for asking judges around the world to return to rewarding the true classical training of a horse. Input from the highly regarded Dr. Heinz Meyer, Jochin Schleese (saddle maker and rider) and Johann Riegler of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna provide their own points of view on the subject.

About the Author

Dr. med. vet. Gerhard Heuschmann

He is a vet, a rider and above all a true horse lover. He is the man who currently pours all his energy into educating riders to develop an awareness of what is really needed to make their sport more horse friendly. He is not afraid to speak up for his cause and if need be to lend the horses his voice.

His book “Tug of War – Classical Versus “Modern” Dressage” – was published by Wu Wei Verlag, Schondorf.

First released at the end of 2006 – exactly one year later the revised second edition is released including an open letter to the FEI, the FN and the German horse riding authorities. Over 25,000 copies have been sold to date making it one of the most successful horse books in recent years and it has so far been translated into 9 languages. It explains impressively and clearly what riders have to know so that their horses stay healthy.

All of the above material was taken from different sites because their information is better than anything I could write. Below are

' My Thoughts '

While the video itself is rather pricey at around $60, it is worth every dollar. If you check around the internet or Google ‘If Horses Could Speak’ many sites come up and while I haven’t checked them all out I think you may be able to purchase it for less. I should also add that even though the video I uploaded from You Tube has subtitles, the version I have is dubbed over in English so you can watch it without reading the scroll at the bottom. There is also a site where you can rent this video called: Giddyupflix.com.

I feel everyone could benefit from watching this DVD, whether you ride English or Western . Educating ourselves and discovering a better way to ride by incorporating how our horses bodies work in our training can only help us form a better partnership with our horses. A happy healthy horse should be the goal we constantly strive to attain.

Until next time

Quote for Today

What the horse does under compulsion...is done without understanding...and there is no beauty in it.

- Xenophon

The Visible Horse -DVD Review

The Visible Horse

DVD Review

As one of my Christmas presents this year, my daughter gifted me with the “Visible Horse” DVD. Admittedly, when I first opened it, my thoughts were, “I guess this means she thinks I don’t know how a horse is put together!” Which turned out not to be the case at all; she simply thought it would be an informative and fun way to review horse conformation and mechanics relative to movement and riding. After watching this I agree with her; it is most informative and the visuals really give you improved awareness of the mechanics of movement, and how all of the joints and muscles work together as the horse moves.

The authors have skillfully painted both sides of a white/gray horse - one side in black with the bones and joints, and the other with colored lines depicting muscles. It is neat to see how these joints and muscles move when the horse is walking, trotting, cantering and hand galloping. I found it to be a great refresher course and educational. I’m always looking for first-rate horse DVD’s and books to round out my “horse” library collection and would like to thank my daughter for this particular addition. While books and videos are never a substitute for a good instructor on the ground, they can help us to continue to learn and improve our riding when we’re not in a lesson, even in the hours when we’re out of the saddle. In my opinion, one can never have too many educational books and videos, so I am adding this to my DVD recommendation list.

Below is the short bio for the DVD, which I have quoted from the back of the case:

Susan Harris presents her popular “Visible Horse” demonstration with the muscular and skeletal systems painted on a live horse. This fascinating presentation shows in vibrant color how a horse’s bones and muscles work in motion. It includes slow motion studies of walk, trot, canter, and gallop; what creates good and poor movement; and how to help our horse move better. The program is simply and clearly presented for horse owners and riders of all levels, and is ideally suited for 4-H and Pony Club members as well as adults. It also contains invaluable information for instructors, trainers, equine-massage therapists, farriers, and equine-studies programs. This is a video to watch again and again-you will come away with a far better understanding of your horse.

Also available in a companion video: Anatomy in motion 2 –The Visible Rider.

I’m also going to purchase this as I think it will be helpful to see - “how the human skeleton is put together and how it can perform in unity with the horse.”

Let’s face it, when we get to be older and things aren’t in all the places they should be, we might be able to help ourselves with sitting correctly in efficient positions, and seeing the skeleton at work may teach us how to relieve the aches and pains from years of riding. If you’re a beginning or life-long older equestrian, these two videos could definitely help define and explain certain aspects of riding concerning the horse and our own bodies and how they relate during riding for the most comfortable, efficient and functional effect.

Although, right now I’m pretty sure where every muscle and ligament is located, as I can feel each and every one acutely every time I get off the treadmill, recumbent bike or elliptical machine!

Until next time

Quote for Today

In training horses, one trains himself
- Antoine De Pluvinet