Blue Hors Matine: Poetry in Motion

Matine is stunning--her passage is incredible. To have achieved that level of execution at age 9 is very rare indeed. I'm just sorry that she won't be paired with Andreas H. any longer since he is leaving Blue Hors stud to begin his own business.

truly impressive, though I sort of thought that the top hat and tails sort of conflicted with "voulez vous couchez avec moi" music (though I suppose it might help explain that bond you were talking about...(sorry, couldn't resist...please forgive me...))

As a former horse person, I assure you this horse is not happy. The twisting tail is a glaring sign, as well as the ears flipping back and under at times. The frothing mouth is from resisting two bits, one usually a snaffle with a break, and one with a cinch mechanism under the chin. The rider has the horse "behind the bit" which the horse is fighting. He has taught the horse to fear the bits.
Every time I see this I feel I must speak up for that horse, who deserves a few months on pasture duty.

If you enjoyed that...you'd likely enjoy this one too; about a dog, not a horse:

http://breathingeasy.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/dog-dance/

It's sweet...and that's a HAPPY DOG!

To Peter-Grand Prix rides are always ridden with top hat and tails. It is very formal.

To Carol from another "horse person." This mare is most certainly a most happy horse. No one can get this kind of "dancing" by force from any horse. It you look closely, the tail swishing is not "tail-wringing" but is a marish response to every touch of the spur. My mare was the same. It you look at Matine's walk and extended trot, where to leg aids are applied, her tail is quiet. Her ears are so relaxed in most of her movements, they can't help but flop. She is just totally in tune with her rider. Mares ususally have larger ears, especially the warm-bloods. Sometimes her ears are pricked forward in interest.

As for the foaming mouth, that is a sign of a wet, responsive mouth and is highly desireable. Dressage riders work carefully to achieve this and would be very concerned it the horse's mouth stayed dry. Andreas has marvelous hands and the mare is certainly not afraid of his hands nor of the bits. It is highly likely she would do all of that in a simple snaffle bit, but the full bridle is part of the appropriate appointments for a Grand Prix competition and is useful for giving more finely tuned aids. Yes, the mare's poll is not always the highest point, but much worse than she get highly rewarded in wins all of the time.

to carol a former horse person,
there is no proper response to such a negative outlook on horses, riding, and people in gerneral. It lacks knowledge, empathy, and touches on envy. I don't think I would like to be your friend.

I'm very late with my commments. However, have had horses most of my life, never to that level...I am truly in awe of those two, what a partnership. As for the tail swishing, maybe not so desirable, but, I love it, I think it shows her individuality and she looks so SASSY, looks like she enjoys every second and I agree can't get that from force.....I will miss them...

Just had to totally disagree with Carol's comments about Matine not being happy. This is nonsense and ignorant.
Some horses do swish their tails when working. It can denote tension, but I do not believe that to be the case here.
Her ears are moving - but they are totally relaxed to the point of being floppy.
And a horse should foam at the mouth when working. This actually proves the horse's mouth has not been hardened by heavy-handed riding.

I was fortunate enough to see this pair compete up close and it was phenomenal. Andreas is a fabulous and sympathetic trainer.

I admire Carol's good intentions but she is dead wrong.
It would help her to take some horsemanship classes. Ray Hunt was the granddaddy of them all, RIP.

Just by the by: Matiné was injured in a fall in Las Vegas, and due to the damage done then she is now retired to the pasture and will be a brood mare.