''Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all,'' wrote
Shakespeare. Such words could not be more true than when
applied to the sport of dressage--an ancient art still
passionately pursued, and onedependent on a rare and
delicate balance of truth and honesty between rider and
horse. It is the nature of humans to fall victim to
temptations; to sway beneath the considerablepressures
of our modern societies; to yield to urges, desires,
wants, and ''needs.'' We recognize this in our
day-to-day actions, and forgive ourselves regularly for
trespasses inherent to motivations common to the
twenty-first-century experience, such as ambition,
power, money, and success. But when we swing into the
saddle in search of a riding epiphany, when we choose
dressageas our means of establishing meaning and
partnership in our life, a moment's weakness canforever
breach fragile trust. Therefore, as riders, it is our
foremost responsibility to routinely self-examine our
reasons for riding, our reactions to our horse both in
and out of the saddle, as well as our emotional state
and capability for self-control. We must be aware of
symptoms indicative of the Seven Deadly Sins of
Dressage, and we should be prepared to deny them entry
in a world where our horse's welfare trumps all else.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Dressage--Ignorance, Timidity,
Pride, Fear, Impatience, Anger, andImmoderation--are
sadly so commonplace within the horse industry as to
often fail to capture our attention. And so it is the
hope that this book, a passionate exploration of human
nature and the necessity that it be meticulously
controlled and cultivated when another living being is
involved (in this case, the horse), will serve to shine
light on the errors of our ways. Once acknowledged,
weaknesses can indeed be overcome with the steps
outlined within, and thus our dream of riding with
honesty, truth, and brilliance will not be in
vain. |
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