Uta Gräf // Graf & Le Noir - bitless riding May 2011

[piaffermisterJ]

What I find remarkable here is not the fact that she uses a bitless bridle( of course it's admirable) But the fact that she stretches the horse immediately after a collected movement. Truly beautiful and disciplined riding.

[ToxicAngel1989]

Genau so sollte Dressur aussehen, klasse !

[Friesenfrau1]

Das nenne ich Harmonie, ob mit oder ohne Gebiss geritten, sehr talentiert die beiden

[GuadaneroAT]

True talent - both horse and rider!

[1RICHTL]

What sort of bitless bridle did you use ?

[Zabbi00]

I love Uta Gräf. She is so great. Their horses are ALWAYS happy while she trains them.

thanks for posting!

[rolvon]

Wonderful to see this.

Thanks for posting :)

[karottenkatja]

Uta ist einfach der Wahnsinn! Ich habe selten eine so faire, ehrliche und noch dazu erfolgreiche Reiterin kennengelernt wie sie!

[bambler07]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo klasse ! 

[TheMelL28]

Einfach toll und beeindruckend, wie wunderschön das Pferd auch ohne Gebiss geht. Vorbildlich und der Beweiß an alle Rollkurreiter, es geht auch sooo.

TOP!!!

[vibrierhund]

Vorbild!!! ^^ mein Traum - Hohe Dressur OHNE Gebiss!!! Uta, ich will so sein wie du *.*

[MegaSueH]

YE HA - brilliant to see. Will memorise the name next time i get told I need a bit to get my horse moving properly...I was told that to progress from beginner I would need to put a bit in my horses mouth...why ? I dont think BD are saying I am at unfair disadvantage riding bitless, in fact I think they would argue I am at distinct disadvantage. So let me compete at a disadvantage: what harm can it do? compete and loose

[lire2222]

Such a shame you can't compete bitless. I was told I could not enter a local dressage competion riding bitless ( H.C) because it could be dangerous as I would not have the control that a rider on a bitted horse would have. One day I hope this attitude will change. Great video.

[NeytiriLight]

What an inspiration this rider is! Being willing to go against the conventional ways and gaining beautiful harmony with her horse as a result. I just switched to a cross-under bitless bridle 2 weeks ago and am amazed every single ride how much better my mare is going (and she was already going great). I was wondering if it was possible to do the higher level movements with it, and Uta Graf and Le Noir have given me the most beautiful and eloquent answer possible. Way to go. Great seat too!!!

[Conny1908]

Superschön!!!!!

[cinnamon8884]

tolle arbeit!

[ncmustangrider]

So beautiful! His movement looks so light, airy and natural! Saw a post from a dressage person saying his moves are "all wrong" for true dressage, but hopefully that will soon change! I love how he is collected, but not overbent or straining painfully to do his work. He just looks so darn happy and relaxed, while still doing complex and beautiful moves! :) Dressage has often left me cold, but this certainly does not!!  Thank you!

[miirabeelle]

Das ist richtiges reiten! <3

[Ananka007]

Wie schön das ist!! Ich bedanke mich ganz herzlich, dass Sie diese schönen Eindrücke hochgeladen haben! :)

[NurturalHorse]

Beautiful! Thank you for posting this wonderful example of bitless dressage. There is a bright new bitless day ahead for horses ... and the people who love them.

[slzabinski]

You are half way there. Love it there is no bit! Now remove the shoes and have a iron free horse and you will have a very happy horse. Beautiful horse, riding, working.

[MattysLilMello]

@slzabinski believe it or not, some horses are happier and more comfortable with shoes... several horses at my barn were lame before shoes, we also have a few quarter horses who were unfortunately bred in that 'smaller feet the better' way and elevator shoes have really helped with soundness and comfort on them, you can tell... they limped around before and couldn't be ridden at all, now they are running in the field, riding level 3 dressage, jumping 4 feet, all happily and willingly...

[kkkeijjooo]

@MattysLilMello No horse is born with shoes and bad hoofs. The reason why they're limping after the shoes are taken off is because the iron shoe makes the hoof weak. When you take the shoe off the horse can suddenly feel, and of course it's at first sensitive to everything. But horses aren't made to wear iron shoes, so they will recover if you give them time and take good care of the hoofs. If you still think your horse can't survive without shoes, there are also other options, e.g. hoof boots.

[MattysLilMello]

@kkkeijjooo actually, some are BORN with bad feet, the horses I'm talking about never had shoes in their lives and were lame, then shoes solved the problem, its called a club foot... hoof boots are not allowed in competition, and YES some Quarter Horses ARE bred to have tiny feet, meaning they can't carry a lot... look it up... I'm not bullshitting... My own horse doesn't have shoes and will never need them as long as I can help it... but I know horses who DO need them...

[dressageluvr]

@slzabinski Personally I know several horses that are much happier WITH shoes on their feet.

[slzabinski]

@dressageluvr Really? Have you asked them? I say they are not. How can a horse be happy with shoes on when the shoes cut off the circulation to their feet? When a shoe is put onto a flexable hoof it makes it incapable of doing its job of flexing. It would be like someone putting a straight board on the bottom of your feet and telling you to walk. You could, but it would be very uncomfortable and hard to because you foot could not move or flex the way it is intend to do.

[circusgal44]

@slzabinski have you heard that some horses feet are just not built for barefoot... some do require shoes.. not all but some. just grow up... if the owner wants shoes on the horse he put shoes on, nothing you can do.

[iabanon]

@circusgal44 by 'not built for barefoot' you actually mean 'poorly conformed?' it makes no sense otherwise.

[circusgal44]

@iabanon yes and no, some just have hooves that can not handle some surfaces barefoot and go lame, whereas if they are in shoes they are fine, one breed in particular is the thoroughbred, however if you give them time and proper farrier care most can go barefoot but some will never...

[Sorbali]

@slzabinski

Das sind keine Hufschuhe sondern Hufglocken...

[KittyKat10595]

Oh, and fabulous riding!!! I wish I looked that good!

[onexslickxtrick]

Beautiful riding as always by Uta, I really do enjoy watching her ride. This horse is wonderfully relaxed, just look at his ears! In a neutral, floppy, listening position the entire time. I am curious, what surface is she riding on? I haven't seen any synthetics like that before, does anyone know?

[katphoti]

THANK YOU for showing that a horse does not need a bit to be balanced, fluid, and happy in the arena. I've been bitless for several years now and I have a far better relationship with my horses than I ever had before. I hope to start seeing bitless bridles appearing in competitions in all disciplines!

[Hoovesnaturally]

It is intersting that once challenged some people just get abusive. Why do dressage in the first place? All those forced movements, all the forced collection, bitless or bitted, it still looks forced to me. Dressage usually does equal ego. TreasureOne, what is your understanding of natural horsemanship, given that not much we do with horses is natural at all?  And yes I have had riding lessons, I have ridden in an arena (small aren't they?) and yes what I see at dressage comps make me ill!

[katphoti]

@Hoovesnaturally I find that ANY horse discipline that includes competition equals ego. Reining, cutting, jumping, saddleseat, you name it. The horses don't ask to compete--we are wanting them to. That doesn't mean we shouldn't compete--it just means that people need to work on their sportsmanship.

[eventandagilityadyct]

@Hoovesnaturally I thought everyone responded well. No one was abusive, not by Youtube standards.

The purpose of dressage is TRAINING (heck, that's what the word means). To collect properly, lift its withers and engage the hindquarters. All things that are required in all other disciplines. Dressage is practiced by ALL riders in some form.

The mirrors are to see your position when riding, because position counts in dressage. They don't do much for ego, trust me.

[KittyKat10595]

@Hoovesnaturally

Good grief!!! If you think the horse in the above video is forced, well, no offence, but you really don't know an awful lot about dressage. Go watch a video of Anky doing Rollkur, then come back and try to say this video here is forced. I will agree that there are alot of dressage riders who don't do the right thing by their horses (ie. Rollkur riders), but there are in every discipline. (cont...)

[Hoovesnaturally]

@KittyKat10595 A competition has two or more willing players. A horse is not a willing player. It is therefor combat through force, coercion and subversion. Why the spurs? Why the steel shoes (on carpet)? Take away all the equipment and you are left with the truth. Was the horse started in a bit? Question unanswered. Because we don't beleive something does not mean it does not exist.

[KittyKat10595]

@Hoovesnaturally

Shoes aren't always bad for the horse *rollseyes* I prefer barefoot if possible, but my horse requires front shoeing for medical reasons, and her feet have actually improved from having the shoes.

As for the horse being willing...I see NO sign of stiffness, evasion etc. If a horse doesn't want to be there, it will tell you, and most likely do something about it. This horse is most definitely a willing partner.

[KittyKat10595]

@Hoovesnaturally

(cont...)

Seen that godawful reining video that been circling the net lately with the guy yanking the poor horses chin to its chest???

[Hoovesnaturally]

Sorry girls but all I see is a beautiful big horse under the 'control' of a person who has a need to be a 'controller'. Bitless or not, all this horse's power, beauty and freedom are suppressed. Maybe the real reason for bitless is not about dressage and ego at all. I mean, why the mirrors? Why the small area in which to do this? Why the euphoria? Compare these images with "Bareback bridleless galloping, lead changes, no neck rope" on YT and you'll see what I mean.

[TreasureOne]

@Hoovesnaturally Why the mirrors?! Why the small area?! Have you ever had a lesson? Ridden in an arena? Watched a dressage competition? Have you ever even RIDDEN? I believe in natural horsemanship combined with classical principles. You 'natural' people who come on forums with 0 knowledge of horsemanship and spew ludicrous comments, are an embarrassment. It turns off horsepeople who might otherwise check out alternative methods. My God, Uta is performing Grand Prix movements BITLESS, moron.

[ThisIsRiskyBizness]

@Hoovesnaturally Please stop talking and just drink the kool-aid already. :)

[katphoti]

@Hoovesnaturally If you were a good horse person, you would LEARN why the mirrors, why the small arena, etc. A true horse person learns the principles behind any discipline. You need to learn to be more open minded.

[ThePonyPros]

I was wondering if the horse was trained bitted and then changed to bitless or if he was bitless all along? Very cool horse :)

[MNtotoa]

you two are simply BEAUTIFUL together. poetry in motion!

[kimgouldwende]

Absolute stunning! I love that you are using a bitless bridle. :)

[JZgurski]

What a nice horse and rider team!

[kikingfriesian]

You are the most Amazing rider ever!



[NatsHorses]

Wonderful horse! I think you should be allowed to use a bitless bridle in dressage, this horse clearly loves it. :)

[forwardxmotion]

Beautiful horse and wonderful riding!

[eurodressage]

The footing she rides on is called POWER GROUND. it's shredded old carpets. A german company makes it

[Sophieeee]

that is one happy horse. beautiful partnership you guys have.



[chuckiepony]

Uhm ,can I have my Caletto 1 horse back!!!!

Absolutely awesome! Enjoy him!

[julie710]

Amazing riding!

[ninilein1505]

stunning horse!!!

[ctabacco]

What kind of footing is that?

And yes it is so nice to see spectacular riding that is also relaxed and harmonious!

[dragonharte8]

FYI, working on it...........

[andtrrrot]

As the inventor of the original bitless bridle, we'd all love to see a demonstration of its correct use for dressage.

[dragonharte8]

as the inventor of the original bitless bridle it would be nice if she would use it correctly. Also there is a modification to this bridle.

However, it still is a beautiful demonstration.!!!!!!

[clan73]

Ahhh so good to see just beautiful....this is my goal as well....classical with no bit Pupa486 I know the feeling you have... people dont like change.

[123123caralho]

what kinda FOOTING is that? :) I love the horse, and the rider!

[Synergyofsorts]

I have an L line Holsteiner that prefers to go bitless too..

[DJBelbe]

that is one AWSOME passage!! everythin really! piaffe needs the poll to come higher though as the front's still weighting down and slanting the legs but other than that you're delight to one's eyes! thank you so much for showing the world what can be done bitless! I see absolutely no reason why a bit should be mandatory, isn't the horse's performance the whole point?does not the bitless alow to conform to all the demands of contact, submission, acceptance, etc?really, it's quite beyond me

[cynch1]

I love this horse! Beautiful partnership.

[pupa486]

Could you please tell me if the horse was trained with bitless from the begginig?

Or did you start with "normal" bit and taught him everything with a snafle and candara?

Just want to know because I want to ride a young jumper with bitless and I have a lot of "enemis" :)

No matter how you did it, here and now you look fantastic.

[spela181]

Thank you for this video! I was looking a video that would proove that is possible to ride grand prix dressage in a bitless bridle :)

You and your horse are just amazing!! :)