omranchstables.com Blog

I have had this fine young horse on my mind since May 5. 2006. Along with millions of others who have a connection to horses or just love a true Champion with the spirit of a real fighter, I have wept today and will probably continue to do so for some time.

We have not lost a beloved hero, we have gained a dear and much needed inspiration for how we can move forward in a time when moving forward instills the greatest uncertainty and foreboding. Barbaro was here with us, sharing the earth and the air and the light where we all struggle with triumph and tragedy together for many reasons.

I have read many great descriptions today of some of the reasons Barbaro captured so many hearts, inspired so many to love and admire his spirit.
I will have to express simply that Barbaro was fearless and fortuituous. He was honest and bold. He didn’t hold back. Going forward, he can be described as a soul to emulate, even if he was as some have simplistically put it, ‘only a horse.’

What does this matter? We can still follow him and learn something about bravery in a time when a good portion of our citizens are turning away from bravery when we need it the most.

The reasons for falling in love with Barbaro are many, but I feel deep in my heart, the biggest reason was his bravery and willingness to sacrifice and give all that he had to give. He was a true spirit, fast for sure but one we can look up to and hope to find a glint of it in ourselves. We need to be brave as our nation forges on in the dark days to come should too many of us lose our way.

I’ll pray that Barbaro’s courage will spark the same in the hearts he won as his soul moves onward into his rightful place in the eternal flame of True Champions.

A successful foundation for any horse in Classical Riding can only be acheived after perfecting the shoulder-in. This is a lateral movement that results in proper straightening of the horse, promotes freedom in the shoulders, suppleness and most importantly the proper bending of the hocks. The proper bending of the hocks occurs over time and allows more weight to be carried on the hind quarters for future advanced high level movements with collection such as Piaffe and Passage.

The problem today with many dressage enthusiasts, is the degree of unnatural bend that is executed in the lateral movements. Over bending the horse while doing the shoulder-in will create a canceling out of the benefit of working the shoulder-in when the horse shortens his stride behind to compensate for his discomfort at being overbent. When over bent the horse is forced to shorten his stride, his inside hind and inside fore legs will not reach forward over the step of those of the outside. The exercise, done over time in this exaggerated position will not allow the horse to benefit from the increase in strength to the hocks when done correctly and gradually.

The improper bending and lateral work done will result in lameness in the hind quarters that have not been properly developed. Patience must be exercised along with regular proper execution of the shoulder-in, so the horse will become proficient at his own pace, avoiding injury and promoting pleasure in the horse as he or she performs this important movement in Classical Training.

The proper execution of the shoulder-in is mandatory to moving forward to each gradually more collected movement in the high school in Classical Training.

Source: Podhajsky, Alois, Die Klassische Rietkunst The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In The Principles of Classical Horsemanship, Wilshire Book Company, 1967, p.133-136.