The Blue Tongue video (dressage FEI investigation)

appellativo · The Blue Tongue video (dressage FEI investigation)

Yay! Here's an excerpt from the horse magazine.

Responding to public outcry following the Internet posting of a video showing an international-level dressage competitor warming up a horse using a method some call inhumane, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has launched an investigation.

The so-called "blue tongue video" shows Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel riding the Grand Prix-level Dutch Warmblood stallion Scandic at the CDI Odense, Denmark, in October. The competition was an FEI-recognized competition and a 2009-2010 Western European League FEI World Cup Dressage Final qualifier. Video shot at the warm-up arena shows Kittel riding Scandic in apparent "hyperflexion," in which the horse's neck and poll are flexed longitudinally such that the nose is low and near the horse's chest. Dressage enthusiasts were particularly outraged to see Scandic's tongue lolling out one side of his mouth and with an apparent blue tinge, which some attributed to inhibited blood circulation caused by the method of riding and the strong bit pressure. In the video, Kittel halts the horse, leans forward, and adjusts the tongue before continuing on.

Kittel and Scandic placed third in the competition.

Hyperflexion (sometimes referred to as "rollkur") has been decried by some as contrary to established principles of correct, humane dressage training. Among the most outspoken critics is German veterinarian Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, who produced a book and a companion DVD entitled Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage. He writes that, in hyperflexion, "enormous tension is placed on the upper neck muscles and ligament system, and the back. While the horse's back does 'rise,' it is overstretched and tense, which restricts the hind limbs' ability to step under the trunk. The result is an uncomfortable, unhappy horse that is on the forehand with trailing hind legs, and unable to truly collect."

Although horses are not shown in a hyperflexed outline, some riders use it while warming up, believing that it supples their horses.

The trend toward hyperflexion took hold around the 1980s, when German dressage competitors Nicole Uphoff and Isabell Werth won Olympic gold aboard horses allegedly schooled using the method. More recently, such stars as the Netherlands' Anky van Grunsven achieved equal success with a similar riding style.

The Kittel video controversy is not the first time that protests against the use of hyperflexion have reached the FEI. In a statement issued October 26, the FEI stated that its primary concern is the welfare of the horse and that it will publicize the results of this latest investigation when it reaches a conclusion.

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PasoBaby_CarolU

You know, as awful as that incident is, Patrick may have inadvertently done a LOT to advance humane dressage - even if it wasn't his intention.

Blue Flame

I read somewhere that the reason (excuse?) given was that the horse had managed to get his tongue between the two bits. . . . .

Chablis

appellativo

blue tongue or not, the rollkur is inexcusable. Glad this is getting publicity.

DaisyMae

I've just found this on another forum - looks like Kittel has been doing this sort of thing for some time, despite his protestations to the contrary. B*****rd.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject: Kittel at Donaueschingen 19/9/08

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I just came across a report by St Georg Magazine dated 19/9/08 from a competition held at Donaueschingen.
Kittel competed on Scandic-(this is my own tranlation):

"It would freeze the blood in your veins to watch the trainingssession that Kittel put his chestnut through on Thursday: Head pulled onto the horses chest.Always tight and hard "bending" to the right and to the left.Until the chestnut finally pulled the emergency brakes himself.He probably bit his own tongue-in any case,there was blood running out of the horses mouth.
No steward was around to have noticed this happen.
Despite the groom routenely removing the blood from the horses mouth the bloodstream wouldn't stop,so Kittel had to finally end his session...."

Here't the link :http://www.st-georg.de/blog/detail.php?objectID=3382&class=61

So.I was one of those people who said "The poor man is now the latest sacrificial lamb for the RK discussion.Maybe he was having an off day etc etc"-No more! If this kind of crap has happened before and noone took action,I say Mr Kittel deserves any bad publicity he gets. I really hope all these petitions will finally get the FEI to DO something.At this point I am completely behind all those people who ask having the equestrian section taken out of the Olympics!!!! [i]

PasoBaby_CarolU

Remember a few years ago when a Western Pleasure trainer in Texas was turned in for bloody and infected wounds on a horse in training. He was suspended from competing for a year. I know a roper here who was suspended for a year for slapping his horse.

It seems to me a double-standard in the horse world. Perhaps the 'bluebloods' should take a lesson from the country cousins and put the horse above the competition.