02/06/2011

Over the last 100 years, the equestrian world has altered dramatically. Classical dressage training has moved towards a modern world of various training aids, horse tack and an ever changing competitive world.

Within dressage and equestrian circles, the most controversial new practice to come to light is possibly the “Rollkur” training technique.

Labelled as the blue-tongue scandal, equestrian fans have protested against the technique, even signing a petition to boycott the London Olympic Games next year because of its affect on the horse. Rollkur (also known as hyperflexion) see the horse’s neck being ridden into a deep, curved and round movement which almost touches the chest.

The practice as been condemned as a “cruel” training method with the British Horse Society calling for an urgent inquiry into the treatment and training of top class horses performing the technique on the world stage.

Dressage trainer and author, Lady Sylvia Loch, told the Observer: “It is a shocking symptom of where the sport is going, it's the tip of the iceberg. What is going on behind closed doors in the training of these horses is very wrong.

“Dressage should be about lightness, freedom of movement and a partnership between horse and rider.

“Rollkur is so, so cruel. The horse can only see its own feet, so it is reliant on the rider for balance which is simply psychological torture.

”Dressage should be a delightful ballet where the work looks effortless. It doesn't need vile and unnatural methods. Horses shouldn't be brainwashed like this.”

The controversy started at last year’s Dressage World Cup qualifier in Denmark when a video was posted on YouTube of dressage rider Patrik Kittel riding the technique.

Spectators said the horse had its tongue lolling out from the side of his mouth and it subsequently turned blue because the horse couldn’t breathe while in hyperflexion.

Riders have defended Rollkur as “a valuable training method” which improves the horses suppleness and Roly Owers of the Horse Welfare Charity said, “In the right hands it is a valuable training method, and it cannot make a horse's tongue go blue, no matter what people seem to think.

“Current rules do not allow prolonged or extensive use of Rollkur. However, the incident has brought into focus that issues need to be ironed out.

“I wouldn't like a ban, as the method will simply be used albeit not in public. It will go underground.

"I don't think that people inside the sport realise the strength of feeling that is out there.

“There has been quite a phenomenal reaction to this, and clearly we want to see the Olympics bring more people into equestrian sports, not drive them away.”