Is groundwork ACCEPTED and do dressage riders understand the BENEFITS?: TRT Podcast - Episode 4

[@bitbybitfarmseast3085]

There is hope! I struggle to find words on how profound this podcast is! 30 years ago I trained Morgan show horses, but became interested in dressage. It appeared dazzling and I bumbled around at lower levels. Then I became aware of the dark side....the blue tongues, the bloody scarred sides from spurs and whips, horrendous over bent horses. It literally made me ill and I couldn't get away fast enough. I went from going through the in gate to going through the river after the cows. Now there is someone speaking about morals in dressage! Thank God.

[@sidilicious11]

I’m learning so much with my very challenging horse and getting horsemanship ideas from trainers on the internet. What a education I’m getting thanks to Tristan and many other talented trainers!

[@DawnHarvey-qg4mz]

Thank you Tristan for showing me how to understand my challenging horse and learn who he is and why he is the way he is! I used to ask why did this horse come into my life and make my life difficult? But with your help I have learnt to be aware of myself and who I was and what growth I also needed to be able to help my horse. And now I do feel lucky that my horse came into my life for we are learning together how to get control of ourselves and feel better in our bodies. This is now and exciting adventure instead of a nightmare! 😊

[@barbvernon9454]

Great insight Tristan - that the horse who is tense or difficult is actually a gift because it inspires us to learn deeply about how to help the horse become comfortable in his own skin and make good choices. Another TRT pearl of wisdom 😊

[@falconk9]

Glad you talked about Thriller - wasn't aware that was your now wife's horse. I was curious as to why he hadn't been shown again sometime after his blow up in London. Such a thrilling horse when he was in a good headspace. I am using the encouragement to get my horse to lower his head before, after and during ground work but I'm also doing it while riding when he gets upset such as learning flying changes. Last night I got 4 changes! He started learning them about 2 weeks ago. The relaxation piece is so important to help the horse calm down and learn. This is an 18 yr old former kill pen Lippizaner who had no formal education until I bought him 5 years ago. 2 years down with laminitis and 2 years turned out as pasture sound retired until April 2023 when my primary Andalusian horse suddenly died. My old boy surprises me every day I ride him. He's doing piaffe in hand, learning half steps under saddle and of course the changes. I had learned some ground work via another natural horsemanship process years ago but the key has been your teaching the horse to lower his head and process how he feels when he gets upset. Learning how to control his feelings has allowed his rapid progression in his learning. Every time I see a horse blow in the test, I think....maybe they should learn some TRT 🙂

[@susanwalters9795]

Thanks for the insight Tristan, I think the biggest problem is money, if you've got plenty you can throw the horse away, but if you haven't you have got to work with what you have and therefore this opens you up to more information and better horsemanship. Love your work by the way, keep teaching us

[@seanorth]

I was thinking the exact same thing listening to this episode just now. There is different kinds of wealth in this world for sure. Sticking with it no matter what is probably the best way to open up to new wisdoms and insights in most aspects of life. And do we not owe that to the horses as well. I think we do.

[@denisedagnone4115]

It’s refreshing to hear the perspective you come from when helping the horse to be the best he can be 💗🇦🇺

[@farfromhome05]

I'm a dressage rider and have a 4yo Welsh D who I always intended to pick up from the breeder as a "finished" ridden horse as i was so worried about working a young horse and ground work. I decided I was on the complete wrong track, picked up the unstarted horse and have been having the best time learning groundwork with him. Creating a deeper connection and learning together, I have so much trust in him and how we are working it out together. Cannot wait to sit on him soon, but know i'll completely understand him inside out before that happens and now wouldnt have it any other way 🥰 🇦🇺

[@TheOldandslow]

Thats so great! Congratulations on your journey with your section D, what great horses they are! They are so sensitive, what a rewarding way to set your foundation

[@dashinmoments]

Ok finally. Just riding versus teaching a horse, building a relationship. Someone who agrees groundwork and connection are important. I get asked all the time why did I buy such a young horse and what do I do with it since I cant ride it yet. There is so much more to horses than just riding. Don't get me wrong riding is the fun part but just a piece of the puzzle.

[@fimorama]

I have been so lucky to participate in several clinics with Tristan in Denmark. Especially, two private ones at Tannenhoff in south DK. These learnings together with training my first foal to become a riding horse helped me open my eyes and… now I use all this “crazy stuff” in my training of young riders abroad. PS. Listen to one of your stories make me remember a situation: A lady riding in a western saddle in an arena with a top-dressage rider was told, that the dressage horse didn’t like the western equipment so the western rider must leave. She left and came back in the arena now rinding with a cordeo, only. Instead of that the established “looking in the mirror” they throw out the western rider from the stable.

[@denaross]

I agree that these are amazing opportunities for learning!

[@jolindo6724]

Most of us were put on a horse at a very young age and learnt to stay on first or else it was a long walk home!!!!😂😂😂 then some of us developed a bit more finese. We worked with what we got and we had to make the dollars stretch... most of all we had fun and enjoyed our horses, they taught us much about life and you had to become a philosopher to get the best out of them.... it can be seen in you Tristian a very good grounding indeed

[@jolindo6724]

Miss now not being able to ride 2 hrs regularly in the bush, fences are now everywhere if you are within a radius of a city. Feel so sorry for the stabled competition horses in Europe, that "horses are meant to be horses" saying of Franz Meringer still resonates and Tom Roberts

[@Ullibullizz]

You're the best! Your method saved my relationship with my horse.

[@Silfverlyktansdressyr]

Yepp, been there told not to even be able to turn the foreleg behind and over to the other side. It deemd as misuse of the rein (long reins). We aren"t allowed to lead the horse at shows on the warmup arena either 😔

[@alicjakistowska6637]

Wise said. Hopefully it will become more mainstream 🤞🏻

[@cordywitt6400]

Maybe horses are teaching us more than we are teaching horses.

[@n0tfr0mth1sw0rld]

10 life times are not enough to learn everything, Tristan how dare you to take my hope away 😅 I hope you are wrong