Video critique, anyone?

[FrancaV]

Someone on an e-mail list I subscribe to posted this link under the subject "Nice video":

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While the man seems rather quaint and charming I don't think it's particularly "nice" as far as most of the horses are concerned. "Horses don't lie," seems to apply here.... What do you all think?

Note: I have seen this sort of thing done better; this video just doesn't happen to be a good example, IMO.

[reata]

I agree Franca.. Infact I think the guy is overfacing a couple of the horses..
They are not developed enough to do what he is asking them ..and the lack of strength shows up in the lack of Rythum.
I have no idea what he is trying to prove or Teach?? If its long reining as the name of the video suggests, many,many hours of long reining and schooling needs to be done before the handler would attempt most of what the guy is showing.. I can't see this Youtube Video being any good for horses in the hands of people who think this is the way to do it..
The guy, if he is a horseman worth his salt, should realize .. monkey see monkey do!! :-(

[cynthia peterson]

the horses are relaxed and even playful (in the case of the white horse) so you do have to hand that to him (and her). I really don't think he thought he was giving us his best show, just a general long lining info. (probably wants you to buy the rest). yes, there is no rhythm, but the bay and Arabian are young. The older white horse hit a couple good strides. And the pony, anybody that can make a pony do anything, can't be all bad!

[FrancaV]

I only saw one sort of relaxed horse. The others were tense and "upside down". Look at the ewe necks.... False "collection". I wouldn't want to do something that encouraged a horse to use all of the wrong muscles that way.

[cynthia peterson]

alright, lemme see again..... uh, uh....
Alright, granted they are NOT doing real dressage, or in anyway collected. What I am seeing is what people do as circus tricks of piaffe or such. Now, the arab IS upset, do doubt about it, doesn't know what he wants. The bay young horse is calm and tracking under (even if it doesn't know what she wants). The older white horse has one calm moment walking along going to the left. in the others, yep~that is a upside down horse. and he does seem upset about not being able to go forward. and yes, we sure see much horrible examples on youtube of this.