I decided finally to put up a post on the controversial debate surrounding our beloved sport, hyperflexion or rollkur. This debate has been brewing for quite a while. I hesitated to put up a post on my blog, due to the passions surrounding this topic. I have visited other blogs in which hyperflexion/rollkur a has become such a heated debate, commentors moved beyond a productive conversation to become a name calling session. The topic is now receiving quite a bit of attention at the international level and measures against equine welfare are beginning to go in motion. An FEI round table discussion was held last week. From that meeting, a task force was formed charged with creating new standards for show stewards to monitor warm-up practices of riders and trainers. Below is a video update from FEI Dressage and Para-Equestrian Director Trond Asmyr.
Some of you new to dressage may wonder, “what exactly is hyperflexion or rollkur?” These terms refer to working a horse where his or her head is behind the vertical. According to proper classical dressage technique, the horse’s head should be perpendicular to the ground. A way to visualize this is to picture an imaginary line coming straight down from the horses eye; the horse’s nostril should not fall behind this line. Terms you might hear from a judge if your horse is hyperflexed would include behind the vertical and overflexed. The concern, is that many riders and trainers are consistently using hyperflexion as a training method to get fast results and more exaggerated movements. Horse’s are being overflexed for extended periods of time which could cause physical damage as well as behavior problems. Below I found another video which helps to explain the concept of abused hyperflexion and rollkur.
Sooo… what do I think about the topic? I think any kind of training technique taken to an extreme can be harmful to an animal including horses. A whip used improperly can be a very bad training tool. If used properly, it can be a great subtle way to communicate with your horse. The same goes with spurs. Spurs are not made to dig into your horse’s side when he or she does something you don’t like them to do. They should be used as a enhance communication and even lighten the use of your aids. Hyperflexion when abused is harmful, however, many use stretching techniques with their horses to help improve muscle elasticity and suppleness. I’m sure some of you have done the treat trick where you hold a horse treat close to your horses chest and they stretch their necks to reach the treat. You don’t hold the treat there for 1/2 an hour, just for a brief moment and your horse stretches and takes the treat. You can also do the same stretch to the sides of your horse. I bet many of you will agree with me this is not harmful to your horse other than they may get too many treats and gain weight 
. Many of us do stretching exercises when warming up our horses, but do not trot around the ring for 1/2 and hour with our horse’s face to his chest.
I think a picture taking out of context of an entire ride can look much worse that it may actually be. On the other hand, I have scribed for test where myself and the judge were cringing each time the horse’s nose touched his chest, I just wanted to yell “STOP DOING THAT, JUST STOP!”
I am glad to see action is being taking to regulate these training methods. Creating standards for Stewards is a great start. The next place to go is judge and instructor certification programs. Specific dialogs should be included in these programs regarding hyperflexion. I’m sure some commentary is already present. I can think way back to my when I was a beginner dressage rider, I knew what overflexed was right away and that it was incorrect. Possibly if this topic is stressed with up and coming judges and instructors fresh out of training, the mindset of hyperflexion overuse can be changed.
It would be great to hear from the instructors, judges, and riders out there? What do you think about the hyperflexion controversy? What are your opinions on the FEI’s decisions?
I appreciate your comments on this issue. I believe, as you do, that any legitimate training aid or tool can be abusive if applied too harshly, too long, or even too inconsistently.
I also agree that horses may be worked in an intermittently flexed manner. However, I have NEVER made my horse’s chin touch his chest, or even come close to hitting his chin with his knee(s). That is what Rollkur is. It is not even related to suppling a horse or stretching a horse, as the proponents would have us believe. It is abuse, plain and simple. I am also glad that the FEI has taken this position (finally), and is being proactive in training the show stewards–not that the show stewards cannot recognize rollkur OR the affects of rollkur, but that this training may give show stewards the confidence to enforce the rules and “call out” the people who practice this abomination. We will see if this will be enough, or if these people will just find another way. Just my humble opinion.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Mary. I agree with you and hopefully the latest outrage and forthcoming standards will be the beginning of the changing of minds.