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antigone382

(3,682 posts)

42. I don't think you can really "encourage" dressage moves the same way as...

Sun Jul 29, 2012, 02:12 PM

Jul 2012

...say, they "encourage" gaited horses like Tennessee Walkers and Saddlebreds to perform their gaits to perfection: uncomfortable shoes, putting acid or staples into the bottoms of their hooves to make them "prance," etc. I won't say abuse and drugging doesn't occur in dressage, but the things that the horses are required to do demand a strong level of communication between horse and rider more than anything else.

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Romney horse flown to Olympics on Fedex jet, dined on watermelon [View all] Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 OP

Well isn't that special? Such elitists. nt snappyturtle Jul 2012 #1

My dressage horse loves watermelon. Doesn't yours? immoderate Jul 2012 #2

They have an illegal immigrant for that. malthaussen Jul 2012 #3

I could consider this a sport if there was no one RIDING the horse rocktivity Jul 2012 #4

it's a sport for the horse. Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #6

You probably have seen it done like that. Ever been to the circus? riderinthestorm Jul 2012 #34

I love the sport Corgigal Jul 2012 #41

Not at all unusual and not a big deal A HERETIC I AM Jul 2012 #5

Its just another example of how he lives in a different world. DCBob Jul 2012 #9

I think you have made a generalization that is not accurate. A HERETIC I AM Jul 2012 #13

I thought it was very expensive to own and train a horse for this sport? DCBob Jul 2012 #14

Owning a horse in general takes disposable income.... A HERETIC I AM Jul 2012 #15

The NY Times called it a "rarified sport" of "six-figure horses and $1,000 saddles." DCBob Jul 2012 #16

IS there not one thing in your life that isn't a total necessity that you have spent a $1000 on? A HERETIC I AM Jul 2012 #18

I suppose I could afford the $1000 saddle but not sure what I would do with it.. DCBob Jul 2012 #20

Probably virtually ALL of the Olympic class dressage competitors started out poor riderinthestorm Jul 2012 #36

The controversy is not about the sport of dressage. DCBob Jul 2012 #39

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what percent of them would dreampunk Jul 2012 #43

you do have to have considerable disposable income for any of those things RedRocco Jul 2012 #24

How much it costs depends on the level you're competing at and what you're competing on. bklyncowgirl Jul 2012 #27

Thank you for this very informative post. DCBob Jul 2012 #29

Very interesting. thanks Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #31

I Agree CokeMachine Jul 2012 #11

uh, are any of the other owners running for President of the United States? No. cali Jul 2012 #22

+1. Couldn't have said it better... nt riderinthestorm Jul 2012 #37

"ON" or "IN" the Fedex plane? flamingdem Jul 2012 #7

! Poiuyt Jul 2012 #38

That poor horse deserves to dine on watermelon, RebelOne Jul 2012 #8

I had one that liked Coca Cola. CokeMachine Jul 2012 #12

Every Olympic horse was treated the same way. nt hack89 Jul 2012 #10

Yes, and I don't understand the big deal about the watermelon. GoCubsGo Jul 2012 #44

How the hell else do you get a horse to England, except in a cargo plane? jmowreader Jul 2012 #17

Ya just know what the freepers are gonna say Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #19

Watermelon can be a very good diuretic ... kentuck Jul 2012 #21

All I care is that the horse is humanely treated and nothing is done to "encourage" dancing. Vinca Jul 2012 #23

I don't think you can really "encourage" dressage moves the same way as... antigone382 Jul 2012 #42

It ain't the horsey plane trip, it's the pension funds raided to pay for it... JHB Jul 2012 #25

The horse was seemingly smiling when the pilots were discussing the elevators... 2on2u Jul 2012 #26

A “highly collected, cadenced, elevated diagonal movement” Buns_of_Fire Jul 2012 #28

All Sports at the Competitive Level are Expensive dynasaw Jul 2012 #30

Doesn't everyone FedEx their horse to England? Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #32

Oh sure sure sure. lonestarnot Jul 2012 #35

Did you expect it to swim? B2G Jul 2012 #33

Meh, the Romneys wrote off about half again as much as the median income on that horse.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #40