Rollkur
Encyclopedia
Rollkur or hyperflexion of the horse's neck is a practice in equestrianism
defined as "flexion of the horse's neck achieved through aggressive force" and is banned by the world governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
(FEI). The FEI recognises a distinction between rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline not achieved by force.
The technique has been controversial for some time in equestrian circles, including the set up of specific petitions and boycotts (including a threatened boycott of the London 2012 Olympics) to promote banning of the practice. Despite the controversy, the technique and has been used by dressage
and show jumping
riders. The FEI moved to ban the practice following the release of video of Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel using rollkur during warm up at a competition in Denmark where the horse's tongue appeared to turn blue as a result of the manoeuvre.
riders but it was, and is still, used in other equestrian disciplines, most notably show jumping
, before being adopted by some well-known dressage riders. However, it is not an old theory in dressage, either: Francois Baucher
trained a similar method, although he did all his severe flexing at the halt, and in addition he connected the posture of the hind legs to the mix.
In dressage training, the rider can choose to make the horse work for periods with its neck lowered and its head behind the vertical, for various beneficial reasons, such as suppling, relaxing, and stretching the horse, yet rollkur takes this flexion to the extreme. In rollkur, the horse is asked to lower his head and round its neck as it works—working "deep"--so that the head is coming inward. In the extreme, the horse's mouth touches the middle of his chest. Rollkur is not a quick movement lasting a few seconds, but is held for a length of time, through work at the walk, trot, and canter, including shortening and extension of the gaits. Rollkur is not just longitudinal flexion (nose to chest or forelegs), but accompanied with repeated bending to the rider's leg.
Some riders who use rollkur accomplish the head position by lowering and fixing the hands until the horse yields its jaw backwards in response to the pressure on the bit. This technique (pulling in) goes against all classical riding. In classical dressage, the horse accepts the bit and the horse decides to come down with its head because it trusts the hands of the rider. In good companionship, it is possible to asks the horse to go a little deeper than the animal would do itself, but to obtain the extreme posture of rollkur does require physical coercion.
Proponents point to leading riders who apply this technique and have consistent winning scores in the arena as proof that the technique works. They further suggest that the process of working deep is meant to stretch and supple the back.
and the written rules of the FEI
. This includes the fact that the horse is physically behind the vertical. This makes it difficult to check if the horse is correctly accepting the bit. During hyperflexion of the neck the cervical vertebrae are compressed, where classical dressage promotes lengthening and relaxation of the neck. With rollkur, impulsion
and throughness may be lost due to a stiff, improperly stretched back
. This can easily occur when the hand of the rider is not gently asking the horse to come low (but pulling in) - and/ or the horse is not accepting the hand, but bending in an attempt to evade the hand. A pure disadvantage is that the horse is encouraged to bring its point of gravity towards the forehand
.
There is also a great debate as to whether rollkur constitutes animal abuse, both physically due to the held over-flexed position, and mentally due to forced submission. Given that a similar practice is longstanding and routinely seen with the use of draw reins in schooling horses for events such as western pleasure
, where it is close to being a universal practice (though also controversial in some circles), the debate has major ramifications across different disciplines.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
defined as "flexion of the horse's neck achieved through aggressive force" and is banned by the world governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
(FEI). The FEI recognises a distinction between rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline not achieved by force.
The technique has been controversial for some time in equestrian circles, including the set up of specific petitions and boycotts (including a threatened boycott of the London 2012 Olympics) to promote banning of the practice. Despite the controversy, the technique and has been used by dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
and show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
riders. The FEI moved to ban the practice following the release of video of Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel using rollkur during warm up at a competition in Denmark where the horse's tongue appeared to turn blue as a result of the manoeuvre.
Usage
Most usage of the technique in recent times has been by dressageDressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
riders but it was, and is still, used in other equestrian disciplines, most notably show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, before being adopted by some well-known dressage riders. However, it is not an old theory in dressage, either: Francois Baucher
Francois Baucher
A "baucher" is also a type of bit, named after the man.François Baucher was a French riding master whose methods are still hotly debated by dressage enthusiasts today. His methods diverge from those of many earlier masters, but he still has a strong following of riders and trainers today...
trained a similar method, although he did all his severe flexing at the halt, and in addition he connected the posture of the hind legs to the mix.
In dressage training, the rider can choose to make the horse work for periods with its neck lowered and its head behind the vertical, for various beneficial reasons, such as suppling, relaxing, and stretching the horse, yet rollkur takes this flexion to the extreme. In rollkur, the horse is asked to lower his head and round its neck as it works—working "deep"--so that the head is coming inward. In the extreme, the horse's mouth touches the middle of his chest. Rollkur is not a quick movement lasting a few seconds, but is held for a length of time, through work at the walk, trot, and canter, including shortening and extension of the gaits. Rollkur is not just longitudinal flexion (nose to chest or forelegs), but accompanied with repeated bending to the rider's leg.
Some riders who use rollkur accomplish the head position by lowering and fixing the hands until the horse yields its jaw backwards in response to the pressure on the bit. This technique (pulling in) goes against all classical riding. In classical dressage, the horse accepts the bit and the horse decides to come down with its head because it trusts the hands of the rider. In good companionship, it is possible to asks the horse to go a little deeper than the animal would do itself, but to obtain the extreme posture of rollkur does require physical coercion.
Proponents
Riders who practice rollkur advocate it as a valuable training method to improve the suppleness of the horse, and point out that rules (prior to the introduction of the FEI ban) did not allow prolonged or extensive use of rollkur.Proponents point to leading riders who apply this technique and have consistent winning scores in the arena as proof that the technique works. They further suggest that the process of working deep is meant to stretch and supple the back.
Arguments for banning
Those who disagree with rollkur say it goes against the principles of classical dressageClassical dressage
Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today...
and the written rules of the FEI
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
. This includes the fact that the horse is physically behind the vertical. This makes it difficult to check if the horse is correctly accepting the bit. During hyperflexion of the neck the cervical vertebrae are compressed, where classical dressage promotes lengthening and relaxation of the neck. With rollkur, impulsion
Impulsion
Impulsion is the pushing power of a horse, which comes from its desire to move powerfully forward with energy. However, speed does not create impulsion, and a rushing horse is more likely to be "flat" than impulsive...
and throughness may be lost due to a stiff, improperly stretched back
Back (horse)
The back describes the area of horse anatomy where the saddle goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the vertebral column beginning at the withers, the...
. This can easily occur when the hand of the rider is not gently asking the horse to come low (but pulling in) - and/ or the horse is not accepting the hand, but bending in an attempt to evade the hand. A pure disadvantage is that the horse is encouraged to bring its point of gravity towards the forehand
Forehand (horse)
- Balance :A horse's "motor" is located in his hindquarters, and a horse that is heavy on the forehand is not able to properly move forward with impulsion...
.
There is also a great debate as to whether rollkur constitutes animal abuse, both physically due to the held over-flexed position, and mentally due to forced submission. Given that a similar practice is longstanding and routinely seen with the use of draw reins in schooling horses for events such as western pleasure
Western Pleasure
Western Pleasure is a western style competition at horse shows that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed but collected gait cadence and relatively slow speed of gait, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to be a "pleasure" to ride and...
, where it is close to being a universal practice (though also controversial in some circles), the debate has major ramifications across different disciplines.