I was hoping some would like discuss this and maybe shed some light on this. Just another opportunity to learn.
I've always enjoyed Buck Brannaman as a trainer. I wasn't a devouted fan but just admired his groundwork techniques and he does look like a lovely rider. I've only ever watched videos and only watched one clinic. I've used some of his techniques with certain horses but also went years where I used more traditional dressage ground work techniques like lunging in side reins, long lining ect.
I'm in the West and many trainers here like to blend various horsemanship type stuff with Dressage. I thought this made sense, to have a ground work base to start with. But honestly it never occurred to me that some considered this type of riding to be equal or a better version of Dressage. Cue me being confused when being asked to do things that just seemed to go against what I've been taught by other dressage instructors and read about in books ect.
I tried to follow through. There wasn't any harm in don't anything different. It just didn't seem to get us anywhere. For months. I can absolutely see ether value in some of it... But I began to question just how it would work out in progressing in dressage.
Here is some of the things that I couldn't see how you could continue to use the techniques in dressage. Now I know some are from Buck B, who in my understanding is experienced in training up a horse as a "Bridle horse" and ranch horse. Some of this may not be from Buck B.
The light, open hands thing. Personally I wouldn't do this for a Dressage prospect. I'm under the impression that it actually can create an unsteady uncontact. Maybe not with different reins. Also it seems to be the horse is encouraged to be backed off the bit. I realize this is in the name of feel and softness. I can see merit at the beginning with a young horse but then I would think you would want to move on and encourage the horse to seek the contact more.
There seems to be an emphasis on turn on the forehand/haunches. It seems to me that for Dressage, we would want to get it down but then move on to more forward thinking lateral work. There is also something about switching your legs for a turn but I was lost. Also not using your calve to cue a horse.
Buck B sure seems like a gorgeous, thoughtful rider who incorporates some Dressage into his training. I've seen lovely lateral work from him. But watching from what I've seen, it's not the same as training up the levels. It looks like how to train a very nice ranch horse or all around horse. I see merit in a lot of it but I can't understand how some see that as "Dressage" itself. Some even say that Buck has it figured out more than anyone in the actual sport or the ODG of Dressage.
Personally for me, I think I'll use some of the ground work and a few things here in there but I prefer to stick with a more normal dressage approach.
I'd love insight though! I do enjoy Buck B but as said am not a hardcore fan so I'm sure there are those who have insight.
I've always enjoyed Buck Brannaman as a trainer. I wasn't a devouted fan but just admired his groundwork techniques and he does look like a lovely rider. I've only ever watched videos and only watched one clinic. I've used some of his techniques with certain horses but also went years where I used more traditional dressage ground work techniques like lunging in side reins, long lining ect.
I'm in the West and many trainers here like to blend various horsemanship type stuff with Dressage. I thought this made sense, to have a ground work base to start with. But honestly it never occurred to me that some considered this type of riding to be equal or a better version of Dressage. Cue me being confused when being asked to do things that just seemed to go against what I've been taught by other dressage instructors and read about in books ect.
I tried to follow through. There wasn't any harm in don't anything different. It just didn't seem to get us anywhere. For months. I can absolutely see ether value in some of it... But I began to question just how it would work out in progressing in dressage.
Here is some of the things that I couldn't see how you could continue to use the techniques in dressage. Now I know some are from Buck B, who in my understanding is experienced in training up a horse as a "Bridle horse" and ranch horse. Some of this may not be from Buck B.
The light, open hands thing. Personally I wouldn't do this for a Dressage prospect. I'm under the impression that it actually can create an unsteady uncontact. Maybe not with different reins. Also it seems to be the horse is encouraged to be backed off the bit. I realize this is in the name of feel and softness. I can see merit at the beginning with a young horse but then I would think you would want to move on and encourage the horse to seek the contact more.
There seems to be an emphasis on turn on the forehand/haunches. It seems to me that for Dressage, we would want to get it down but then move on to more forward thinking lateral work. There is also something about switching your legs for a turn but I was lost. Also not using your calve to cue a horse.
Buck B sure seems like a gorgeous, thoughtful rider who incorporates some Dressage into his training. I've seen lovely lateral work from him. But watching from what I've seen, it's not the same as training up the levels. It looks like how to train a very nice ranch horse or all around horse. I see merit in a lot of it but I can't understand how some see that as "Dressage" itself. Some even say that Buck has it figured out more than anyone in the actual sport or the ODG of Dressage.
Personally for me, I think I'll use some of the ground work and a few things here in there but I prefer to stick with a more normal dressage approach.
I'd love insight though! I do enjoy Buck B but as said am not a hardcore fan so I'm sure there are those who have insight.
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