Tiffany Tyler, an American dressage rider now training in the Netherlands with Anky van Grunsven, agreed to answer our readers’ questions about Anky’s training methods, riding, and horses. Tyler responded to the Sept. 2 Forum written by Chronicle freelancer Birgit Popp called Who’s Responsible for Maintaining the Classical Principles of Dressage? and wrote her own Forum, which was published in the Oct. 21 issue, but is also willing to answer questions from readers. We got enthusiastic response, and selected a number of readers’ questions for Tiffany to answer.  The entire discussion is posted below.

For archives of previous discussions, such as our first chat with USHJA president Bill Moroney about the helmet rule, please ckick on the In The Tackroom link on the left of the Chronicle’s main site. All the monthly In The Tackroom chats will be archived there.

Charlene, Needham, Mass.
Do Anky and Sjef believe that the method of rollkur is useful for every horse or for only certain types of horses?

Dear Charlene, First, Anky and Sjef do not have a method of rollkur. This has been argued before, but I will say it again, Anky and Sjef don’t even use the word rollkur. But terminology aside, Sjef believes in a “variability principle.” Sjef doesn’t believe in “schooling the horse” per se; rather it’s the rider responding to the horse—so the rider’s approach can and usually does differentiate between each horse. This is where a competent and skilled rider is necessary, because it takes a certain type of rider to be able to quickly identify what the horse is telling him/her and then change the way of asking.

Ultimately, it’s the rider who adapts to the horse. It’s funny when people walk by and see Salinero or Painted Black on the longe line–they’re not the show-stopping movers you see in the ring–they’re pretty normal. It’s the training, along with the talent, that gives these horses the edge–the training not only doesn’t sacrifice the quality of gaits, it will improve them. How many young horses do you see in the field trotting around and say, “Gee, I wish I could have a trot like that?” Being a competent and skilled rider means you must understand both the strengths and weaknesses of a horse.

Additionally, all work must be in a way that benefits the horse, so that the horse is happy and confident in his job and is stronger, not sore in his body and unhappy in his work. Each horse that Anky rides is different and has to have a tailor-made program. Let me also add something briefly about riding a horse deep—or whatever terminology you prefer. Saying that riding a horse deep is a method is incorrect; it is a tool—one of many, just as walking the horse on a long rein for at least 10 minutes is a tool. Focusing only on riding a horse deep is missing the big picture. It’s as if you’re looking at the components of what makes a healthy lifestyle. If you were to eat well but never exercise and smoke, then you’re not particularly living a healthy lifestyle. All three components must be in place to make the equation work. The same is true with riding: Riding horses only deep does not win gold medals because too many other components must come into play. It’s just that sometimes people don’t stop to consider them or don’t want to consider them. Currently, there is an independent study going on—a collaboration of three universities in Switzerland, Holland and Sweden-that is researching the effects of different training theories. So far the research favors riding a horse round, but it will not be for another year that the results will be conclusive.

Elizabeth, Chevy Chase, Md.
How has the controversy that’s been going on ever since the article in St. Georg about the rollkur affected Anky and Sjef and the atmosphere around the barn?

Dear Elizabeth,
The article that was published in St. Georg magazine this past summer has hurt Anky on a personal level. Even still, the atmosphere around the barn has remained the same. Anky and Sjef are very professional and driven in the athletic training of dressage horses. It is their passion and life’s work, so of course when someone writes it off in a five-page magazine article, it hurts. Still they don’t let outside opinions affect their training; their demeanor as well has always stayed consistent. They believe in their approach and will not be dissuaded. On a personal note, I can say that I have worked in many dressage barns, both amateur and professional, as well as a few jumper barns, and Anky and Sjef take their jobs much more seriously than most; this helps to ensure their success but even more important is the welfare of the horse. Maintaining a horse at the top of the Grand Prix level is not an easy task, and Anky and Sjef do not take this responsibility lightly.

Lita, Moorpark, Calif.
I have two questions for you: 1. Which part of the training scale does Anky emphasize the most, or does she just think of the whole scale all the time when schooling?

Dear Lita, 
Sjef Janssen helped me answer most of the questions about training. Anky feels that establishing communication with each horse is most important, and, with each horse being and feeling different, it’s not always an easy task.

2. Anky talks about using a slow tempo and relaxation in the first five minutes of her warm-up. Does she tailor this for each horse, or is this a fairly standard part of her program?

Lita,
For the most part Anky spends some time in each warm-up emphasizing a slow tempo and relaxation. The horses are first hand-walked for 10 minutes; then Anky will walk them under saddle for a little more time, and then, depending on the horse, she’ll start with a long neck in both rising trot and canter for seven or eight minutes and up to 15 minutes, depending on how fresh the horse is, etc. Then the horse is walked again with the emphasis on stretching the neck and body. This is all done before any work in collection begins.

Janice, Kansas City, Mo.
Can you please talk about the level of the contact when the horse is ridden deep and round? Are you to feel the same rein contact as if the horse is up? How is the level of the contact controlled?

Dear Janice,
When a horse is ridden round, there must be very light contact with the horse’s mouth; it is important to realize that riding a horse round is a tool. Each horse is different, so there is no set rule. When riding a horse in a competition frame, there is a consistent contact on the horse’s mouth, although the contact can vary from gait to gait. The goal in Sjef’s method is to be able to change the position of the horse, varied and often. Sjef likes to use the analogy of an Olympic sprinter: If a sprinter is training for a 100-meter race, his preparation is not only running the 100 meters. He lifts weights, he runs long distances, he does stretching exercises, etc. Sjef’s training system is similarly founded; it’s largely based on the training of human athletes, rather than old methodology.

Kari Browne, La Honda, Calif.
I have three questions for you: 1. What are the competition horses fed on a daily basis? Do they receive any supplements?

Dear Kari,
Anky’s competition horses are fed three times a day with oats, pellets, and sweet feed. Each horse has a special combination depending on their energy level and workload. As for supplements, Anky’s horses get surprisingly little: biotin for their feet and vitamin E for their coat and overall conditioning. And they get hay morning and evening. The hay we feed here is very rich in nutrients, so it can only be fed in small amounts. So if a horse is bedded on shavings, I like to give the horse a little straw to eat, so that he has something to eat all day, which is really important for his well-being and health.

2. Does Anky use any alternative medicine or treatments with her horses, such as magnetic therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic adjustments?

Kari,
Anky does use a magnetic and massage blanket on a regular basis for her competition horses. In addition she works very closely with her veterinarian, who evaluates her competition horses every six weeks; in addition the competition horses have their blood checked with a full analysis four to five times per year, as a preventative measure. If there is anything that ever seems to be out of balance–the horse’s coat isn’t very shiny or the horse is having trouble putting on weight—Anky likes the horse’s blood to be checked.

3. How do they keep the horses mentally fresh and happy with all the traveling to and stabling at competitions?

Kari,
In order to keep the horses mentally fresh and happy, Anky really likes the horses to have consistency in their care, so it’s important that only specially selected staff members take care of her competition horses, thus keeping the routine the same from day to day; as well it allows the horses and the grooms to have a stronger bond. Anky’s horses get out of their stalls four to five times a day! In addition to being ridden, they are hand-walked for 10 to 15 minutes morning and night and then hand-grazed in the middle of the day or turned out in a paddock with a pony for a pasturemate. And her horses have very large stalls so they don’t feel cramped. At shows there is also a lot of hand-walking and hand-grazing when it’s available. Anky and Sjef are adamantly opposed to riding a horse strenuously for an hour and then putting it back in the stable for the next 23 hours; there is nothing worse you can do. They employ a large number of staff to see to it that their competition horses get out of the stall at regular intervals.

Anita, Grass Lake, Mich.
Does Anky use longeing as part of her program? Does she ever teach riders or train horses using mounted longeing? Work in hand?

Dear Anita,
Anky doesn’t do any mounted longeing; but she does longe horses on occasion when a horse has a day off. Usually the horse will be hand-walked, hand-grazed and then lightly longed in a halter in the longeing arena, just so the horse can relax and unwind. This is an easy way for the horses to let off a little steam in a controlled way. It is important that the horses have this freedom. As for doing work in hand, again it depends on the horse, and Sjef is responsible for doing this.

Sabina DiSano, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
What was Salinero like when he arrived at Anky’s? What was his history, and how do you assess his personality?

Dear Sabina,
Sjef found Salinero at a barn in Germany, being prepared to go to the Bundeschampionat as a young horse. He was expected to be a jumper but appeared to have a lot of talent as a dressage horse, so Sjef bought him for a client as a 6-year-old. After Salinero competed at small tour, Anky and Sjef realized that with proper training he had the potential to become a very successful horse, so they bought him from the client. Salinero has a very interesting personality. He’s one of my favorite horses that I have ever taken care of because, just like with his training, he can be very sensitive. It took a little while for me to really get to know him, but now I feel like we’re good friends. He has an opinion about everything and loves to eat anything. He especially likes bananas, which Anky gives him after she rides him. He also loves to go out in the field or be hand-grazed, but at the same time he’s attached to people. He knows he is a very good horse and loves to get special attention.

Susan, San Diego, Calif.
What is your daily grooming ritual at Anky’s barn?

Dear Susan,
The daily grooming ritual at Anky’s is actually fairly simple. I brush the horses before Anky rides, and when she’s finished, the horses are sponged or hosed off, depending on how hot they are, and then hand-walked for 10 minutes. Then the horses’ legs are cold-hosed and their hooves are brushed and washed, so there’s no arena sand on them or in them. Then, if the weather is cool, they’ll stand under the solarium for 10 to 15 minutes. Once they’re dry, they’re brushed with a curry comb and then put back in their stalls. When it comes to mane pulling or clipping, Anky does it for her competition horses! She really likes to spend the time with them, and she’s not one of those riders who just shows up and gets on the horse. She’s involved with all aspects of her horses. We also prefer to bed all the horses with straw, as it’s much better for their feet-he shavings can really dry them out. It’s important, though, that the straw stay clean and dry, so we pick out the stalls before dinner and add fresh straw daily. Some horses cannot be on straw, so they must be bedded with shavings, but ideally we prefer straw. I also think straw is easier to clean, especially if you have a messy horse.