Broken or Beautiful: The Struggle of Modern Dressage: The Struggle of Modern Dressage

Why do you ride?For most of us, it is love, passion and beauty that magnetically pulls us to horses. We long for a deep connection, in a deep partnership, where you and the horse learn to communicate, trust and love one another, so you get to enjoy the magical body of the horse, as he will perform what you ask of him.This book is a no-nonsense wake-up call for all of us who know that when chasing outside approval that oftentimes is wrong, read judges in dressage tests, we might embark on a long dark journey where the horse suffers, where your relationship with your horse suffer, where there is an unwilling horse mechanically performing to less than what he is capable of.As is written in Stömsholm, Sweden:"Where Art Ends, Violence Begins"This is a wonderful, positive, strengthening book, to give power, confidence and courage to stand up for your core values, finding means of developing yourself and your horse to true centaurs, and not fall prey to riding mechanically on horses who hate what they are doing. There I sno beauty, no health, no happiness in that. Only a horse that moves correctly, and the horse needs to find that in his own body, under freedom with guidance, understanding and training feels good.I'm not good at writing reviews, it saddens me to see that there weren't any reviews for this book. It is highly recommended. It's an easy read, but one of those that you want - and should, give to all of your equestrian friends, at least as a basis for discussion.Let's be part of a movement where we question, challenge, discuss and find a new way forward in equitation, where the mechanization of competitive dressage can slowly be improved to better align with true equitation is about, where these majestic, magical creatures are given opportunities to be all they can be.BUY IT. I own hundreds of books on equitation, this is an absolute must as a 'calibrator' in any true horse person's library.