Customer Reviews

Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage: A Search for a Classical Alternative

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This is the best book on dressage that I have ever read. It explains in perfectly clear detail the theory and practice of how to create a light compliant and contented dressage horse. Though I work with a wonderful classical instructor, this book has helped me and my horses immeasurably. The title makes it sound like just a criticism of modern competitive dressage, but that is the smallest part of the book. With text and truly wonderful diagrams and photographs, it lays out a method for training a dressage horse in the intelligent, effective, kind and patient way of the old masters. A side benefit and pleasure are many old photos of the masters of the past. Buy this book!! Your horse will love you for it.
Marianna

This is the best dressage book I have purchased/read in a long time! It is far more than the title suggests. It addresses the correct biomechanics of horse movement and some of the problems with various popular training methods used today. However, it also provides an in-depth look at Philippe Karl's training methods from the very basics all the way up to grand prix movements. The entire book is illustrated with beautiful, classically correct photos and fantastically helpful diagrams. The descriptions and explanations of aids, biomechanics, and movements are very clear and make so much sense! I can't say enough good things about this book and it should definitely be a must read for every dressage rider. He also has 4 DVDs available which are an excellent compliment to this book.

I purchased this book after I had seen the video Classic vs Classique. Mr. Karl give a clear explanation on biomechanics of the horse and the influence certain riding and training techniques have on the horse. While he chooses a controversial style (he quotes either the German FN Rules or FEI rules and proceeds to explain why they don't work)- I find him to be right on most of the time. For those riders that a critical thinkers and don't just want to believe everything they are told by instructors - this book is a true eye opener. Too many horses are trained with the wrong methods and when those methods fail, the horse is declared to "not be good enough". It is high time, that someone reviewed current methods and showed how wrong many of them are.

There is a distinction within 'German' systems that should be considered. I would kindly suggest to Mr.Phillipe Karl to study carefully work of Gustav Steinbrecht, W.Museler, Egon Neindorf, etc. The official handbooks of German riding association is not considered as a riding bible, but "The Gymnasium of The Horse" by Gustav Steinbrecht. There is a huge difference between German classical masters and modern sport of dressage. There is a very nice display of a picture from the official handbooks of German riding association how piaffe has been changed. But it is important to say that piaffe displayed in the latest edition of handbook is not correct by any classical master. So it is a imitation of piaffe which belongs to modern sport of dressage only. Also disscusions on 'compression' of the horse and overbending - it is also caricature of a real thing valid in modern sport of dressage only. In german classical systems horse is pushed by the legs in quiet hands, not simultaneous pushing with legs and pulling with hands as Mr.P.Karl describes German systems, acctualy pulling is strictliy forbidden by all classical master whatever direction they belong to.

I'm also not convinced by P.Karl in this book that working horse on front end in order to balance it is correct procedure (Baucher tricks). Horse should be worked from behind to front. The load (rider) can not balance the bearer (horse)... Balancing the horse by lifting its neck by rider's hands looks very artificial...

Regarding costal flexion... I have seen a video clip of master Nuno Oliveira riding in a circus arena on a circle performing different figures in high collection. Indeed, there wasn't any bending. But I also had a oportunity to watch riders in Spanische Hoffreitschule in Vienna from above - their horses had ribs on inside of a circle or volte compressed and on outside streched. Where and how much spine was bent I don't know, but I surly know that Mr.Oliveira horse was straight on a circle, and in Vienna I could clearly see bending... Mr.Karl, it would be usefull for your understanding to come to Vienna and watch the way they ride...

I have a respect to Phillipe Karl since I have seen few video clips of his riding, but I'm not impressed by his thoughts and the system. When I read Podhajsky, Mairinger, Steinbrecht, Museler, I read it in one breath, and only filling I had was impression. This is not the case with Phillipe Karl.

This is the best dressage book I have ever read. Nobody, has ever explained in detail about the hands and the horses mouth until I read this book. I have a big lazy warmblood who does not want to go forward. I rode him for years with the low set hands, spurs, whip, lunging with side reins, and occasionally the draw reins and got nothing but resistance and me going home wanting to sell my horse. Now my horse is explosively forward and happy and so am I. This book was a MAJOR light bulb moment for me.

Excellent book by the expert school master Phillipe Karl. He reveals the problems and extreme contradictions that are found in the FEI's continual references to the great masters of dressage and he exposes the flaws in current trends of dressage training.

He also reveals the truth of how horses are often thrown out of natural balance and harmony by much of today's dressage show training. With plenty of photographs, diagrams, and patterns and indicated weight distributions and charts, he completely unravels the falicy of today's dressage which has substituted a form of showmanship dressage which is forced, flat, and very hard, often breaking down the horse. Photos of competition pros and the incorrect positions of their horses reveals the truth.

Phillipe Karl offers resolutions to these problems with a proper interpretation from the great masters who wrote the books on dressage. He offers solutions to each of the problems presented and a variety of ways to approach the resolutions in a natural non-invasive way for the horse!

The book is very informative, mapped out well and intelligently written with plenty of proof and research and experiments that were done to prove all of his claims. I also found it to be proven by his set of FOUR dynamic training videos which shows the same horses in the book being worked and schooled in the videos - proof that lightness, true suppleness and ease is achieved through gentle training. I have his ground training long lining book, all his videos, and this wonderful book and it has been well worth it! Learning these techniques has been phenomenal and I have added it to my library of equine training. As a professional natural horse trainer and dressage trainer, I can fully endorse the proven techniques and material in this book! What a great training and reference source!

Outstanding compilation of the French Classical tradition of riding begun by Francois Baucher and followed by too few in recent times. Illustrations and pictures are true to the text which explains in detail the requirements of flexions for suppleness, lightness and riding in release of the aids. A very complex subject made readable. Very well written. Too bad it is not interactive so that questions could be asked! Will watch for future offerings from this fine author who really lives his subject. I highly recommend this volume to all riders who are interested in the welfare of the horse and in creating a willing dancing partner. Another must for the concerned rider:Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage: Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect Riding Negatively Affects Horses' Health

Ellin Daum

Excellent such a book has been written to explain what is happening to our horses in the world purely for the arrogant vanity of man. Well done Philippe Karl for brining this to all our attention.

E Kennedy
New Zealand

I come from a hunter jumper background and was looking for a good introduction to dressage. I took a few lessons from a local instructor and was taught using the methodology Philippe is so against. And he was right, it felt terrible (it felt like my horse was blocked from going forward). Actually, a lot of his methods are those that were taught to me by my hunter jumper instructors so many years ago. My horse has a tendency to get above the bit and avoid the contact. Karl has really helped me with this horse. I also do natural horsemanship, and his theory and natural methods blend well with what I want to attain with my horse.

I highly recommend his DVD series also (you can rent them from [...]). The series was extremely helpful and motivating. It made the upper level movements seem attainable at some point in my lifetime! Karl is a great teacher. He is easy to understand and explains things really well. I can't wait to get my hands on the other media he has available.

If you want to learn how to take ANY horse into the high levels of dressage and, in the end, have a sane, healthy, and happy mount/partner, then you MUST read this book! Although the title is, in a way, accurate, it does not fully describe the contents of this wonderfully insightful, educational read. Firstly, your eyes are opened to the discrepencies and outright contradictory notions of modern day dressage. Secondly, you are taught an alternative pathway to the same goal that makes more sense to your horse. This method certainly will gently bring every horse closer to the higher levels once thought only reachable by the most elite of equine athletes.
A famous saying, "A horse should not be for dressage, but dressage should be for every horse." This book makes this saying a reality.