Liberty horse harness used to be an elaborate production with breast collars, hip drops, scalloped check reins, inlaid leather, etc. Krone continues the tradition of that craftsmanship today and the Friesian harness of red, white, gold, is some of the most beautiful in use. So far Krone has not followed the ugliness of free liberty horses, which borders "horse whispering in it's nonsense and deception.
That's where you and I will had to agree to dissagree. I love nice harness, but I also like the unharnessed look - not for any horse whisperer thing, but I like the free movement, heads tossed, etc.
ReplyDeleteIn my small liberty presenting experience, I tried working them unharnessed a few times - it was great. They worked a lot faster - the waltzes were like pirrouettes. The only reason I didn't do it more often was that I was scared they would jump the ring, and they were so excited that they would drag the poor prop guys that were helping me all the way across the backyard afterwards.
I don't like the look of very tightly checked horses though. I think it looks better with the head slightly above the vertical, rather than pulled in towards the chest. Just my preference.
Ian
Ian,
ReplyDeleteAgain we will have to disagree. A liberty horse is not supposed to be checked to it's chest. It's head is checked on or above the vertical. There is no standard Ian, and there is good and bad practicing the craft. A more beautiful piroutte can be trained checked up or loose in a second, you just stand back a step further then you would for the waltz and give them the room. I am going to run some photos of Mary Chipperfied riding way behind the vertical doing high school, because again, no standard. Each his own way. I am also going to run a picture of a roll back, which this "trainer" calls a waltz. I listened to an American working a liberty act I trained to "waltz", say "periotte", and smartly crack the whip, in an effort to be "valid and European". The more you understand about a subject, the more you judge talent by a standard, and not by a cute butt, or a charming personality.
Wade
I believe they worked faster. I am doubtful of pirouettes. I also believe by the time they start dragging prop guys, they are only a few days from "duffying" outta the tent, so you made a great choice putting the harness back on. I don't doubt that a liberty drill can work good without harness, it never has the same amount of control or precision of an act with proper harness. It is also not fair to the animal, to let it run amok for a few days only to through the bit back in its mouth and "straighten" out what he has been allowed to do wrong.
ReplyDeleteCasey,
ReplyDeleteBoy you are getting smarter, young friend. You are starting to learn the pistons and camshafts of an animal, by realizing the "mental unfairness/yes, abuse" of working with your head tossing, only to be checked up again. The only time I ever uncheck a liberty horse, is after they are through working, and they are being walked to cool down beings the luxury of people to hand walk them is usually not there. When I used to uncheck the 6 National Show Horses, those long necked "giraffes" used to to stretch "long and low" and it made it seem like there were 12 horses in the ring. Less "discipline" is required, because they soon learn when it is work time/listen to me, and when it is chill out time/do your own thing.
Wade
Addendum to Casey,
ReplyDeleteI never heard that word "duffying" before. Mine always "screwed". Do you mind if I use it? It sounds nicer, and the bonus is, most people won't understand what happened when they ask, "did they screw?" and I respond, "no, they duffered."
Wade
I use "duffy" for the grooms as well. If they make it a habit, I say they are taking a "powder" most of these phrases are compliments of my late father in law Phil Chandler. He would also tell his great dane "Marmaduke" "if you find a better deal, take it" regularly.
ReplyDeleteCasey,
ReplyDeleteI've know a few animal Marmadukes in my life also.
Wade