Couldn't agree more with KadajsKatana - This head bobbing is Ugly and continues every year. Not a pleasure to watch at all. Low head carriage is penalized, so why is head bob OK? About time this was addressed. I am a Pleasure horse fanatic but I am finding this so predictable and boring to watch 3 years later. About time someone brought this subject up.
This is wonderful, I love the AQHA, it`s fabulous. And yes, we do inject our horses and give them drugs...but inly to make them sound so their not in pain. We don`t have to do that, we could ride them like that or send them for meat like many haertless people do, or even bute them and sell them, but we don`t! Stop hating, half the things you say these horses do, aren`t true, I`m sorry if you don`t know horses or how to ride..
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too. He also enjoys it! ;) So don't go making incorrect conclusions without FACTS!
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too ;) So don't go making incorrect conclusions without FACTS!
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too ;) So don't go making incorrect observations without FACTS!
Well hey....it's not a SECRET that not only WP horses receive injections (spine and hocks) to maintain the bullshit frame they're placed in but also the cowhorses and reiners....sell your ignorance somewhere else. This is a FACT that has been the discussion of a ton of articles and my personal observations...done in my presence. Deal with it...it's out there!
Im sorry, but these horses look like dogs that are seriously sick (arched back) and are waiting to be kicked in the guts agian( head tucked under and arse tucked under)..I own a qh wp/reiner retired champion and I dont let him hobble around looking like he is dying underneath me...its embaressing....not pretty or cool :S
@HunterJumper2013 I believe I was stating my opinion based on their body posture. the look on their faces only shows they do not know any better life style and so accept this stupidity as the norm.they are probably off their faces on drugs anyway, because while your all killing all the nerves with blockers in the tail, hey, might as well shove a few extra needles into the rest and fuck them right up *rolls eyes*
These horses all look crippled. I can't believe the judges that qualified these horses for world. I'm a judge and I think we judges ought to work together to improve the appearance of this disipline by picking smarter for the top of our cards.
These horses all look crippled. I can't believe the judges that qualified these horses for world. I'm a judge and I think we judges ought to work together to improve the appearance of this disipline by picking smarter for the top of our cards.
People who diss wp horses are simply bitter because they can't train one themselves. not that i'm a trainer of any sort but I know the time it takes and the talent both horse and rider need to make this happen... and abuse? More people abuse horses with IGNORANCE than anything!! and...I don't like gaited horses but do I go and watch their videos and make fun? no! Have a little respect people.
And aren't you the head of the "moron division"...thought so...sell your bullshit somewhere else....can't respect anyone who cannot recognize a tricked up horse who has lost the ability to "move" due to a retarded trainer and a basic misunderstanding of movement....isn't it time for you to administer more injections to hocks and spines because these horses cannot keep the bullshit frame "you" have put them in? Thought so....
to those who say western pleasure qh wouldnt last a day out in the wild all i have to say is..DUH! ANY domestically bred horse would have a shit chance in the wild.i know some thoroughbreds that would run themselves to death and some warmbloods that would die of literally being scared to death!horses bred domestically are meant to BE domesticated and trained..this isnt ruining horses.these horses have natural skill.and ive seen horses of ALL breeds n dicsiplines that need special shoes or bute.
I wish people would do research before they talk about abuse and such. There is a difference on how you train your horse. Some people are abusive, and others aren't. Horses are being bred for this, just like barrel horses, dressage, etc. And hock. Its not spelled 'hawk'. Eesh.
Ok to all of the people arguing about what is abuse and what isn't. I believe some western trainers are abusive, as are trainers in any breed I'm sure! And these pleasure horses are bred for this, it is natural for them. My Pleasure bred stallion jogs and lops with his head down when he's in the pasture and when i free longe him. I believe these horses in this class were very nice movers, and the only complaint i have about it is the head bobbing. The movement was amazing though!
Actually the lope is very comfortable to sit on a quality western pleasure horse. It's the backyard riders who force their horses to do something they aren't bred to do that makes it uncomfortable and forced. One of my yearlings lopes out in the pasture, even when her buddies pick up speed towards the gate. She's perfectly content to show of her "skills". Her dam is the same way (never trained in wp due to an injury as a yearling).
Look up Morgan Western Pleasure Nationals, This is sad. The majority of these horses are 16 hands and up moving on a 00 or even 000 foot. They would be cougar food in the wild. This is just another example about how they have ruined the quarter horse breed. These horses wouldn't last a day outside of there specially prepared arenas and drugs to keep them sound.
I really enjoyed this video, and I am not really a fan of Western Pleasure - but it is growing on me. Reading the recent comments is interesting; I can understand both sides but I don't know which is right? There certainly is a lot of difference between the horses in this video, and the Western Pleasure I see at local shows (which is just plain ugly).
I posted a video response (if it gets approved) of a yearling filly who we've been told is a good Western Pleasure prospect.
Horses are naturally very athletic-if not, they don't survive out on the range! Like humans, some are more athletic than others and more naturally talented in the way they place their legs in movement, lift their ribcage and shoulders, etc. The good pleasure trainer treats the horse with kindness and patience so they learn to perform well and willingly. These horses use their muscles like a gymnast on the balance beam. It's not unnatural - it's excellent body control, balance and athleticism.
And there is a difference from " backyard western pleasure" and true western pleasure. This is an exellent video of true western pleasure horses. none of them are 4-beating or tropping. these horses are superbred. they have genetics from sire & dam that are unbelievable. I show APHA ( same thing as AQHA just colored qh). We dont look at the front end as much as the hind end. You want a pause once their hind legs hit the ground. everyone of these horses does it. watch close.
@TattieAddiiction r u dissing backyard western pleasure horses jw lol and lets say some1 isnt a proffesional trainer but gets good tips fromm VERYYY GOOD horse ppl like pros and stuff and then train their horse is that bad?
This isnt natural? what do you think "yearling Lounge line" is? it is yearlings on a lounge line showing NATURAL movement! our yearling goes so slow naturally we have to pick him up!.....you say there head bobs, learn what "head bobbing" is and moving with their shoulders. if they have a good lift in their should their head naturally is gonna bob... I am not saying all this is natural but these horses are spoiled if anything not abused. Learn your facts then come tell me its abuse.
One more final thought. Do not expect your Tennessee Walker or Trakehner or Thoroughbred or back yard buddy even to move like this....ever. It wont, no matter what you do, nor should it. This is an example of fine-tuned breeding. If you understand the bred in this particlular disipline you will then understand the movement.
I understand what some are getting at, but this video actually depicts a correct Western Pleasure AQHA lope which is in fact a 3-beated gate. A 4-beat lope is where the horse trots in the hind legs & canters in the front (man made). Their hock is not engaged at all. Some head movement is normal but the more balanced the horse is the less it will bob. And no, not just any horse will move like this. This is decades of superb breeding at its best. Surprisingly enough these horses "lope" at birth.
@nikipooh77 Excellent discription! Western Pleasure will never be understood by "back yard" Riders, so theres really no use and wasting our explination on such "Horsie" People. I Ride pretty much all new england states in AQHA, where are you out of?
As someone who has shown and judged horses for over 30 years, the way they make these horses travel is horrible. A lope is supposed to be a 3 beat gait, not a 4 beat gait. The reason the heads bob is because this is not a natural gait for the horse. In addition, this 4 beat cripple canter is not comfortable to ride.
@atwell2010 okay, im sorry to admit this, but the type of horses you show, you know are not of this quality. You would understand and appreciate this breed if you actually knew what you were talking about. Back yard people should never be allowed near anything AQHA western pleasure. And if a head bob isn't natural.... then why do gaited horses have bobbing heads? Just wondering... exactly. you don't know what you're talking about.
What do you judge? There isn't one horse in this class that's four beating at the lope. It's actually very comfortable to ride these horses if you've ridden a good one... hence "Pleasure" horse.
@soyeahwhateva Yes actually mine does, i have a 11 year old Zips chocolate chip mare, and when she wants to be lazy she does lope around instead of speeding up.. and by they way, the way we can tell when a foal has a nice gait is by a paused hock, which is what you see, these horses are bred for this. And You also have no idea what you're talking about. It's really sad, because its a western version of Dressage, but dressage is fine right? Funnyyy how that works..
@soyeahwhateva they do NOT look lame. obviously your some western breed hater. all my pleausre horses lope in the the paddock. always have even before training. its called BREEDING. not sure you know what tha means...and have you commented on a dressage video in you idiotic way "do your horses Piaf in the paddock?" or a showjumpers video "do your horses jump 1.3m fences on their days off?"
@crstardust Actually they are NOT "staggering like drunks" they have the exact same gait as a 3 beat canter on a reining horse, they are just slowed down and their heads are down lower. Now I'll admit, some horse that are started at the age of two and three do occasionally look crippled, but thats because they are. When WP horses are started at a very young age they do go lame but it is a stereotype that all western pleasure horses "stagger like drunks" and that they are unnatural. my WP mare
Be sure you tell me all about it.....please...heads carried below the withers are penalized...horses that cannot move should be penalized and are not....when horses are started CORRECTLY at a young age, lameness should not enter the picture....god the ignorance....if reiners moved like this there scores would be in the minus factor...stick with hunger jumpers...you know NOTHING .....
@crstardust umm.. You need to calm down. for your information my horse and I won state western pleasure a few years back. I know all about it. I was stating everything you just did. I know good and well the rules about western pleasure. Head placement is poll level with the withers or tips of the ears level with the withers. also I stated sometimes when they are started at a young age not when they started at a young age. and I didnt say reiners moved like this. I said wp horses have a 3 beat
@crstardust canter as well as a reiners. I said nothing about a reiner moving like this. I do believe your the ignorant one since you see nothing but negativity in western pleasure and refuse to believe that these horses are bred and trained to do this just as any other horse is bred and trained to do their disciplines.
Go spend a day with a Grand Prix or Olympic caliber trainer and you'll discover what "movement" truly is...until then you are clueless. I sincerely doubt you'd know the difference of three beat vs. a four beat "lope" or the difference between a horse that trots behind and "lopes" in front...see it every damn day in AQHA wp classes. FYI...my horse qualified for the AQHA world in WP....State HP, Regional HP, and on to the world show...I DO NOT endorse tricked up horses...
@crstardust yes I'm clueless since i also ride a cutting horse and i am training a barrel horse. and btw you don't know me and you will never meet me so dont assume that i dont know what a three beat and a four beat lope is, and yes i do know what a horse that loped in the front and trots in the back is because I recently had that problem with my horse. and if your horse qualifies for the aqha worlds in wp, obviously your horse "staggers like a drunk" your words not mine so obviously you know
Geez, I'm impressed...a barrel horse no less.....you must be some talented horseman...NO, my horse didn't stagger like a drunk as they do now...doesn't take a Phi Beta Kappa key to see what's happening out there.....a group of exhibitors influenced by trainers who should know better and a group of judges who neither understand "impulsion" nor forward movement....I shall leave you to your contemplations of your navel as this entire diatribe has been rendered moot...Adios.
@crstardust less than i do. i never said you endorsed tricked up horses, I dont either. so yeah whatever. by definition a horse with a three beat lope in the order of the legs hitting the ground on the left lead is right hind then left hind and right front then the left front. a four beat lope is when each foot hits the ground at a different time. I think you need to get facts before saying that I don't know anything. but think what you want since youve never met me or anything.
Just another troll ...why the h*ll would I or anyone else want to meet you? A lotta ego talking....If you knew ANYTHING at all about movement..the LAST group of horses you'd ever endorse are the current losers out in the WP pen; Spell, "Forward", spell "Impulsion"... so many complaints have been written to the AQHA and to the AQHA Journal about this BS class.......are you friggin blind and deaf? I think so. SHAME on you for endorsing it. Nuff said about it....move on
Is professionally trained, and she is 11 and she does not lope crippled, I get that you may not like western pleasure, but do not assume that all western pleasure horses are lame. They are bred to do their job just as Thoroughbreds are bred to run and jump, and Hanoverians are bred to do dressage and jump. These horses are happy with their job.
meine güte sieht das furchtbar aus. vor allem der galopp, als ob die auf allen vier beinen platt wären...ich frage mich was diese pferde dazu bringt so wider ihrer natur zu laufen...
I just wish we could pick up the lope a little more so the horses didn't have to head bob. My horse didn't like the lope either and got pissy, so he's hunter now and much happier, but I have see a lot of horses that are happy to go this slow, and if you try to pick their speed up, THAT'S when they get pissy. haha. And seriously people, a lot more breeds and disciplines get joints injected, not just QH WP. But still, you like what you like, I think generally, this is a good group of horses.
lacyjay2's ...best laugh I had all day...yup, those WP horses just love getting their hocks and spines injected so they can continue on with this abominable way of moving....their lope is a travesty...get yourself to a 3 day trainer or dressage trainer and find out about collection and what moving freely means......it sure isn't this....
@crstardust if you knew the first thing about our discipline you would not post such rubbish. the only reason my horse gets injections in his hip is cos he's very old and he lives out in the paddock now cos he has been so well loved.maybe your dressage trainer should get themselves to some western trainers to teach their horses some manners rather than jumping around like heated up feed pumped psycho's.all you have to do islookata QH 2yo and a warmblood 2yo to see the difference in personality
You did not say that your horse was head of a geriatric division ... the last dam thing you'll ever see is a dressage trainer taking their Grand Prix horse to a WP trainer....comparing a Hanoverian to a AQHA WP horse? There is NO comparison...either in disposition or athletic ability and it is by design...moron.
Well this isnt the way i ride...how on earth can a horse stand to have its nose practically dragging on the ground? They look much better with a head set. But thats just my personal opinion. :)
there heads this low is actually natural for them. I have a couple well bred wp horses that naturally carries there head low like that in the feild running around
Oh wow. Thats pretty insane. haha. i guess its natural that my horses run around with their heads tucked in since we use a bitting rig on them every other day. There are a lot of different styles of riding. So its just my opinion that horses look better with head sets.
Sorry but this style of riding isnt for me, It just doesnt seem like the horses use themselves very well, no hind end engagement and such. But Its does seem that they are content and happy and thats all that matters really. :) People saying this is abuse have their head up their butt, do you see horses mouths being yanked on horses being spurred or sored? No I dont think so. If you dont like the style of riding thats fine, but they might not like the style of riding that you like either.
For all you people out there saying western pleasure is abuse. Its not abuse! I do have to say, if you do try to make a horse with a straight hawk(not sure if thats how you spell it) sit down and canter slow, chances are, you are gonna lame it. But these horses are trained to do it and it just comes natural to them. No, it isnt natural to canter slow, but it isnt natural for a horse to jump 4ft jumps, or to do all of those dressage maneuvers either. Arent I right!
@Indiancreekstable actually horses enjoy jumping and in nature will can and will often chose to jump over obstacles instead of avoiding them. Jumping is pretty natural, what isn't as natural is for the horse to jump with a load on its back. As for dressage maneuvers, they were actually created and inspired from natural horse (especially stallion) maneuvers. You didn't teach the horse to do them, but rather to do them ON CUE for the military as it was a matter of life or death.
@Indiancreekstable it actually can be natural for a lot of these horses to go slow. they're bred for it, it comes more naturally than dressage maneuvers! it's not abuse, some trainers are abusive to horses that may just not be cut out for western pleasure. i have a young stallion and he naturally lopes and jogs slow out in the pasture because its bred into him!
@Indiancreekstable i ride dressage and i must correct you about the dressage moves not being natural statement. I've watched my friend Jill's Lusitano stallion Justo playing out in the pasture with her gelding Quebec, i watched as they preformed the Piaffe, Capriole, Passage, Levade, turn on the haunches and side pass, all at liberty. Every move in dressage is a natural movement, the only difference is that we ask for it with a cue and then ask them to hold/continue the movement.
I know what Lacjay2 is talking about. I got a gelding that loves WP, he loves to move slow like that.. the jog is beautiful.. they arent in pain. I find WP a hard class, it all shows how you and your horse become 1, its amazing. It's my FAV class.
I went to New Mexico last summer and at the time hadn't really looked into wp. But I visited this ranch where they raise and train the QH that go to worlds. The trainer and owner were very nice and let me ride one. It was the by far the BEST ride i've ever had! not to mention their calm disposition was a refresher from all the barrel racers, dressage, and jumpers back home. I love the atmosphere to! the horses and people are happy, healthy, and love what they're doing!
you people are such idiots! have you ever had a finished western pleasure horse? well i sure have because i trained it myself. it took me a full year to gain this collection, balance along with everything else. get your facts straight before you decide whats "ugly, grotesque and sick looking."
@stoicfish3 don't get me wrong, I agree that how slow these horse go is unnatural looking for a lot of them (some can pull it off) but they are not trained with force, they're trained with actual patience and positive reinforcement.
@stoicfish3 these WP horses are at least trained in a humane way... they aren't FORCED to curl their necks in such an unnatural way so their chins are touching their chests like "Moorlands Totilas." Forcing a horse to perform in such an unnatural way is totally disgusting. Yes it "looks" more impressive than a WP because of the action, but I would never support such a barbaric activity. Just my personal opinion though...
I love Western Pleasure... But the horse I just bought is a super slow pleasure horse. The problem with most of these horses is that they leave there butt behind. they are too slow... But these horses are incredible! There movement is good and they have a good menality.
WP horses are incredible athletes! have you ever been in the Dressage world come on seriously you want to talk about unnatural. And the cross country horses and race horses who have more spills then i can think of Im not dogging on any discipline! Zips Chocolate chip have you seen him loose in a pasture? When was the last time you saw a dressage horse doing a pirouette in a pasture Just do your research before you speak! These horses are on their hinds n NO ITS NOT ABUSE! GO ride one 4 ur self
You convince yourself it's great athleticism because you do this kind of riding and so you think it's great. I've got some sad news for you - it's ugly, grotesque and sick looking. The horses are hobbling around bobbing their heads up and down in the most unnatural, bizarre posture possible, they are not cantering and they aren't trotting, just shuffling, hobbling around. Every few years someone beats their chest saying this type of riding is 'better now' and it is always the same mess.
I am not knocking Western pleasure. But a collected horse has most of it weight on it hindend. When these horses canter they have to use there heads to help shift their wieght so they can move their front ends. There back legs do not come under themselves. Not a bad thing, just not collected. U-tube "Moorlands Totilas" and you will see the difference, that horse moves off his hindend.
@stoicfish3 None of us care what you have to say anyway. Everyone who rides western pleasure is still going to ride it the same way. Obviously you do not have an eye for how horses move.
No you don't care, and that is fine. You are 18 years old and know everything. Good for you. I have been around horses and showing longer then you have been alive. You should drop Anky a line, as she and everyone else is also doing it wrong.
@stoicfish3 I have to agree, i have a WP horse and you have to teach them to use there hind ends to get up under themselves, it can be hard, but a true WP horse should have power from the hind end just like a dressage horse, the training is similar if done right, some of these horses are semi collected, but if they truly were they would not need to use there heads so much.
I would have the hardest time judging this class! Almost every one of these horses are perfect. I love the AQHA world western pleasure classes because you weed out all of the bad western pleasure horses. Some of these horses almost give me chills! Great video.
Its hard to train a horse to slow down, i agree with you Neo2906. I just got a 2 year old Quarter Horse and he likes to actually go slow :) so im lucky there. Just need to get that head down! I wish people would stop dissing this out, the horses are well looked after trust me, i know. its hard work to keep them that good looking.
I do pleasure too :) I actually found a 2 year old who likes to go slow, not fast ! So in my case it is natual to the horse! Why do people complain about everything?! JEEEEZ. Its just pretty much insulting something that someone likes to do. How would u like it if i said, i hate how you make horses jump so high. But i dont care :\ so stop dissing out other peoples sports, it would be different if these horses were abused, HUH! But they arent. They are well looked after,
well,i do pleasure too.i like it the slow way.but i think some horses look sick.i think there must be a lovely flow in all moves.but to much headbumping and a kanter that looks like they have a dorsal prob is not so good.but to all who think it`s the easy way to ride....try it ! And try to teach a horse to do it this way !!!
you know what is hilarious? anybody on here that does western pleasure thinks everyone posting negative comments on here is retarded. you dont know what the hell your talking about. it is unnatural to ride a horse period..so find another sport? watch a different video? these horses are world quality and have been put lots of time into. people will continue to leave there useless comments about how horrible it is but these horses look very good (:
Anyone who posts negative comments about western pleasure has never tried it and does not have a horse talented enough to travel in a collected and balanced, controlled manner. Don't make negative comments about something that you know nothing about.... Go try it first, and then make your comments. If this is not your 'thing' go watch something that you enjoy...
I agree with you gabi53xx and gmadaisy. These people are also the ones who don't know about how the quarter horse is built and that this breed in particular are naturally built "down hill" and that the way they move in western pleasure isn't as unnatural as some people think. There are of course extremes in everything, but the horses shown in this video have clearly been trained correctly and have been incredibly successful.
i think the jogs look nice in western and boy are they comfy, but they look crippled at the lope :( kudos to anyone who manages to go to a show that high ranking!! but really your horse looks broken when you lope it.
and then i watched the pony clubbers riders ride their horses and there was no difference they still yanked their poor horses aroundd that upsets me not saying that u do it
pony clubbers can't ride worth shit. just saying. these are world class horses and riders..... so i agree with you. pony clubbers are WAYYYYY harder on their horses, jumping them and with their rough hands.
....people who ride in local shows or clubs are usually learning to ride or maybe can afford to ride at this level. everyone starts somewere im sure you started at a few club shows yourself
I started in 4h where we were taught to ride. NEVER in pony club. i'm not saying pony club or 4h are bad at all - they are wonderful programs. But for the most part, they need to help the kids out with riding a little more. And you are right, riding this was is exspensive, so do open shows and more importantly, get a trainer. most of the best riders have come from 4h. So i'm not dissing it. I was just agreeing with someone who said pony clubbers are too harsh one their horses usually
club shows are were alot of people start its were i started and i now show in AQHA shows so club shows are a good place to start Im not sure where you live but most of the people in my area show in the first local show before congress jus to get our horses back around a show invironment for a day. im not sure if you mean to but It just seems a little snobby the way you put things
How is ths a trot? It's more of a valium-induced shuffle. It doesn't look natural at all. It looks contrived and ridiculous. I'm ashamed of how unnatural "western pleasure" has become.
nothing is natural in horse riding i apologise for calling pleasure natural coz it isn't but if u find me a horse sport that is i will be surprised i love pleasure but that is just me u might like english riding but trust me western is not bad for the horses and western riders are very skilled and i am sure most english riders are to just in a different way i went to a pony club and did reining, pleasure and lots of western riding types with no bridle
I have a western pleasure horse who looks and rides like these ones, he has spooked on me and i stayed on just fine. and it wasn't just a little spook where he hops to the side or anything, it was a big spook. These horses are well trained, just like the riders as well, they won't fall off and are riding properly.
@appaloosa42 These animals don't usually spook because the riders are so talented to get them this way that they are paying attention to the rider's cues, not what's happening otherwise.
I did a frame by frame analysis of some of the horses in this class. Wow, they really do four-beat at the wog and the trope; oops I meant the jog and lope... It's especially eggregious on that horse with the fucshia-shirted rider. The fake tails just add the final touch of unreality to this class. Pitiful!
These horses are bred with downward movement specifically for these classes. These horses are incredible athletes, and these riders are much better then you will probably ever be if you are one.
@stoicfish3 I agree with you, it's horrible that the horses have to throw their heads up and down to stay balanced, the horses need to use more of their hind ends. but some of the comments being made on here are down right stupid - like the ones saying this is abuse. that is what i was getting at when i said these horses are bred for this kind of movement and riding.
Please search good n sonny gunner. For sale, out of zippos mr good bar...and these are western pleasure horses that for the most part have the typical "look" though some of them have issues in the hind
Yes it is! They were bred to move this way! If they physically couldnt do it, they wouldnt. And a good trainer would know that. Thats why they pick certain horses, with the legs and ability to move this way.
That is how they are supposed to move. If you dont know anything about WP, dont watch it, and dont bitch about the way they move. Sorry they dont run around the pen like friggin idiots.
Okay all you people that commented on this video saying "ohh the horse looks unhappy, blah blah blah" Get a friggin clue. These horses are western pleasure horses, they are supposed to go slow. And screw you for saying they arent "collected" . They are actually nice movers, unlike crazy dressage horses. They use their hock and have alot of lift in their front end. So get over your stupid little bullshit theories and realize that this is how they are supposed to move!
I can tell you that these horses dont look happy by any means. I dont know of any cowboys back in the old days that would go loping around that slow. It would take them a year to move cows around. If you look at the horses you can see that they are not truly collected but mostly just going slow. Compare this horse to a Dressage horse and you can see how jacked up they are in the hips and body. It makes me sad for the horse. They need to let the horses move forward more natrually.
You are totally rediculous! You obviously have no idea how WP horses are supposed to move. So why dont you shut it and go watch some crazy pukes run around a show pen.
@pumbaagirl1 Well, times change and these are the cowboys TODAY. They are truly collected. Trust me, there's no way in hell they could go that slow without being collected. You have to use as much leg as you can to get a horse like that unless they have been doing it for 10 years and know their job to a T. There is nothing sad about their lives.. they are spoiled and love their jobs. I feel bad for the jumping horses who get pains in their front end from landing so hard on their front feet.
Check out the wiki def of collection, it explains the diference between slow and collected. Collected is the weight on the hind end not the front, it allows the horse to move off of it's backend.
I never said that slow meant collected. You obviously have never truly rode a western pleasure horse .. or at least correctly. Do you not see the way these horses go? Every time their front end pops at the lope, it means they are driving from their hind. It takes collection to make a horse hold a tight step at a jog. Then at the lope you have to hold your horse's hip to the inside like you would in dressage and it takes collection to stay slow but keep a long stride at the same time.
These people don't pay tens of thousands of dollars (show outfit, show pad, in style saddle/headstall, ad campaigns, entry fees, stalls, professional banding, hauling, hotel rooms, etc) because they don't know how to ride a horse.
Has nothing to do with the credibility of the sport or how good of riders they are, and actually my comment has nothing to do with the video as much as the fact that you do not know what collection is as those horses are not colleted. They are wonderful and talented and bla bla but they are not collected.
yea but most of these horses live in a stall not a pasture with a lot of horses in them cuz the owners are afraid they will get a little stinkin scratch on their horse big whoop let them be a horse but i do feel bad for those jumpers and race horses
I'm not sayiing u guys are wrong I do all events from english to western, It is called western PLEASURE, pleasure to ride, ur not posting going fast, you just sit there and relax, whil ur horse does the work
apparently some people forget that these animals are much bigger and stronger than people!!!!! if these horses were in pain or discomfort, these riders would be biting the dust -to say the least
my horse and i,we barrel race now, because we got bored with pleasure, and i found out she is to fast, because a 10yr old girl,kept beating us at pleasure, and i kept beating her at speed. so now my pleasure horse is my speed horse.~~~~~~ also how do you get a horse to take the left lead loping??
but is wrong with u people western pleasure is not bad 4 horses. its good 4 the horses because they r relaxed the whole look of western is 4 the horses to be relaxed i do western on a beautiful old quarter horse i hav never done anything else so i would not know but i can see in dressage and show jumping that that reins are held tight and kicks are given that does not happen in wp
Ok, people really need to chill. This is in no way painful or abusive to the horse! It's a beautiful form of harmony between horse and rider. What other type of riding requires no contact with the reins but you get your horse to preform like this!
This is great, beautiful, and most off all, amazing to watch.
and anyone who says otherwise should try it before commenting
Okay all you ppl saying all this shit about western pleasure! its easy for a horse to run around with its head up strung out. These horses are bred for western so its more natural for them to go slow. I dont think you guys get it. dont watch it if you dont like it. the horses look beautiful to me! so quiet your talking shit!
it is not more natural for them to go slow! and im not saying that this is bad, takes no skill or anything. infact i ride western pleasure, all im saying is this isnt natural, im not saying it's bad
a horse can go as fast as it wants to in WP, they jus have to be collected and balanced and PLEASURABLE to ride which is where the slow comes in, and in fact to all of u dissing WP why dont u watch the discipline and tell me how many of the horses are upset and in pain bc i have been to alot of the major AQHA circuits and have NEVER seen a horse that is pissed to be going slow all of our horses love it so jus shut it not every one is in love wit it but still if u dont like it keep that to urself
all i am saying is a horses natural gait is faster... IM NOT DISSING WP!!!! no it doesnt hurt the horse to go that slow unless it has back or neck problems i know that!
This has been flagged as spam show
Western Pleasure or Western Torture ? western pleasure not better than dressage and reining...see "Reichert Celebration" on youtube !
drorydressage 4 months ago
Couldn't agree more with KadajsKatana - This head bobbing is Ugly and continues every year. Not a pleasure to watch at all. Low head carriage is penalized, so why is head bob OK? About time this was addressed. I am a Pleasure horse fanatic but I am finding this so predictable and boring to watch 3 years later. About time someone brought this subject up.
TheGlamrock2010 5 months ago
This is wonderful, I love the AQHA, it`s fabulous. And yes, we do inject our horses and give them drugs...but inly to make them sound so their not in pain. We don`t have to do that, we could ride them like that or send them for meat like many haertless people do, or even bute them and sell them, but we don`t! Stop hating, half the things you say these horses do, aren`t true, I`m sorry if you don`t know horses or how to ride..
AQHAluverr 5 months ago
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too. He also enjoys it! ;) So don't go making incorrect conclusions without FACTS!
Makeupbabe16 7 months ago
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too ;) So don't go making incorrect conclusions without FACTS!
Makeupbabe16 7 months ago
I disagree with all of the western pleasure haters... Sure, we don't know if these people did anything to these horses but I have a 4 year old quarter horse who's dad is out of Suddenly Famous, my point is that I got him from my very good trainer who would never EVER do such a thing as injections and he is very slow, its just because he is built like this, it's natural for him, and he's lazy too ;) So don't go making incorrect observations without FACTS!
Makeupbabe16 7 months ago
@Makeupbabe16
Well hey....it's not a SECRET that not only WP horses receive injections (spine and hocks) to maintain the bullshit frame they're placed in but also the cowhorses and reiners....sell your ignorance somewhere else. This is a FACT that has been the discussion of a ton of articles and my personal observations...done in my presence. Deal with it...it's out there!
crstardust 7 months ago
@crstardust jerk, i never said it didn't happen. I'm saying not ALL of them have it! just because your online doesn't mean u need to be a bitch
Makeupbabe16 6 months ago
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crstardust 8 months ago
Im sorry, but these horses look like dogs that are seriously sick (arched back) and are waiting to be kicked in the guts agian( head tucked under and arse tucked under)..I own a qh wp/reiner retired champion and I dont let him hobble around looking like he is dying underneath me...its embaressing....not pretty or cool :S
eccentricnag 8 months ago
@eccentricnag If they looked like they were dying they would have a miserable expression on their face, not the willing eager to please expression..
HunterJumper2013 8 months ago
@HunterJumper2013 I believe I was stating my opinion based on their body posture. the look on their faces only shows they do not know any better life style and so accept this stupidity as the norm.they are probably off their faces on drugs anyway, because while your all killing all the nerves with blockers in the tail, hey, might as well shove a few extra needles into the rest and fuck them right up *rolls eyes*
eccentricnag 8 months ago
These horses all look crippled. I can't believe the judges that qualified these horses for world. I'm a judge and I think we judges ought to work together to improve the appearance of this disipline by picking smarter for the top of our cards.
AmericompComposting 8 months ago
These horses all look crippled. I can't believe the judges that qualified these horses for world. I'm a judge and I think we judges ought to work together to improve the appearance of this disipline by picking smarter for the top of our cards.
AmericompComposting 8 months ago
People who diss wp horses are simply bitter because they can't train one themselves. not that i'm a trainer of any sort but I know the time it takes and the talent both horse and rider need to make this happen... and abuse? More people abuse horses with IGNORANCE than anything!! and...I don't like gaited horses but do I go and watch their videos and make fun? no! Have a little respect people.
RoachCaitie 9 months ago
@RoachCaitie
And aren't you the head of the "moron division"...thought so...sell your bullshit somewhere else....can't respect anyone who cannot recognize a tricked up horse who has lost the ability to "move" due to a retarded trainer and a basic misunderstanding of movement....isn't it time for you to administer more injections to hocks and spines because these horses cannot keep the bullshit frame "you" have put them in? Thought so....
crstardust 8 months ago
@devinbriann12 then why are you watching it..
Cayia 9 months ago 2
Isn't that just the most lifeless, unenjoyable thing you've ever seen...
devinbriann12 9 months ago
is anyone looking for a companion horse my horse has a navicular and hes sooo nice and friendly and perfect for that hes bomb proof i love him
pecoslover97 9 months ago
i love doing this its soo much fun and my horse can do a veary veary slow jogge and a broken canter but i perfur the slow canter
LuckyBuckyDucky 9 months ago
to those who say western pleasure qh wouldnt last a day out in the wild all i have to say is..DUH! ANY domestically bred horse would have a shit chance in the wild.i know some thoroughbreds that would run themselves to death and some warmbloods that would die of literally being scared to death!horses bred domestically are meant to BE domesticated and trained..this isnt ruining horses.these horses have natural skill.and ive seen horses of ALL breeds n dicsiplines that need special shoes or bute.
CluTooRoni 10 months ago 2
I wish people would do research before they talk about abuse and such. There is a difference on how you train your horse. Some people are abusive, and others aren't. Horses are being bred for this, just like barrel horses, dressage, etc. And hock. Its not spelled 'hawk'. Eesh.
romanticXaddiction 11 months ago
This looks like such a boring class to ride. /:
Will say, I am shocked their moving a bit faster than I expected LOL.
I guess I'm just used to/prefer hotter horses.
ALICEAUDACITY 11 months ago
ok i saw a vid on dressage that said it was abuse because the way they hold their heads and keep their heads in like that causes repitory problems
just saying haha
pecoslover97 11 months ago
Ok to all of the people arguing about what is abuse and what isn't. I believe some western trainers are abusive, as are trainers in any breed I'm sure! And these pleasure horses are bred for this, it is natural for them. My Pleasure bred stallion jogs and lops with his head down when he's in the pasture and when i free longe him. I believe these horses in this class were very nice movers, and the only complaint i have about it is the head bobbing. The movement was amazing though!
durrritsginger 11 months ago 2
Comment removed
crstardust 8 months ago
Actually the lope is very comfortable to sit on a quality western pleasure horse. It's the backyard riders who force their horses to do something they aren't bred to do that makes it uncomfortable and forced. One of my yearlings lopes out in the pasture, even when her buddies pick up speed towards the gate. She's perfectly content to show of her "skills". Her dam is the same way (never trained in wp due to an injury as a yearling).
Dunalino 11 months ago 2
poor horses ... ...
BabySliders 11 months ago
natural for them to do this zombie walk huh? About as natural as all them fake tails.
wombatjenny 1 year ago
Look up Morgan Western Pleasure Nationals, This is sad. The majority of these horses are 16 hands and up moving on a 00 or even 000 foot. They would be cougar food in the wild. This is just another example about how they have ruined the quarter horse breed. These horses wouldn't last a day outside of there specially prepared arenas and drugs to keep them sound.
Katrina13Rodrigues 1 year ago
I really enjoyed this video, and I am not really a fan of Western Pleasure - but it is growing on me. Reading the recent comments is interesting; I can understand both sides but I don't know which is right? There certainly is a lot of difference between the horses in this video, and the Western Pleasure I see at local shows (which is just plain ugly).
I posted a video response (if it gets approved) of a yearling filly who we've been told is a good Western Pleasure prospect.
downundercolour 1 year ago
that's disgusting.
cookehz4 1 year ago
Horses are naturally very athletic-if not, they don't survive out on the range! Like humans, some are more athletic than others and more naturally talented in the way they place their legs in movement, lift their ribcage and shoulders, etc. The good pleasure trainer treats the horse with kindness and patience so they learn to perform well and willingly. These horses use their muscles like a gymnast on the balance beam. It's not unnatural - it's excellent body control, balance and athleticism.
awyuh 1 year ago 3
And there is a difference from " backyard western pleasure" and true western pleasure. This is an exellent video of true western pleasure horses. none of them are 4-beating or tropping. these horses are superbred. they have genetics from sire & dam that are unbelievable. I show APHA ( same thing as AQHA just colored qh). We dont look at the front end as much as the hind end. You want a pause once their hind legs hit the ground. everyone of these horses does it. watch close.
TattieAddiiction 1 year ago 2
@TattieAddiiction r u dissing backyard western pleasure horses jw lol and lets say some1 isnt a proffesional trainer but gets good tips fromm VERYYY GOOD horse ppl like pros and stuff and then train their horse is that bad?
pecoslover97 11 months ago
This isnt natural? what do you think "yearling Lounge line" is? it is yearlings on a lounge line showing NATURAL movement! our yearling goes so slow naturally we have to pick him up!.....you say there head bobs, learn what "head bobbing" is and moving with their shoulders. if they have a good lift in their should their head naturally is gonna bob... I am not saying all this is natural but these horses are spoiled if anything not abused. Learn your facts then come tell me its abuse.
TattieAddiiction 1 year ago 2
god some of these lopers are terrible.
kackalovesqhs 1 year ago
One more final thought. Do not expect your Tennessee Walker or Trakehner or Thoroughbred or back yard buddy even to move like this....ever. It wont, no matter what you do, nor should it. This is an example of fine-tuned breeding. If you understand the bred in this particlular disipline you will then understand the movement.
nikipooh77 1 year ago
I understand what some are getting at, but this video actually depicts a correct Western Pleasure AQHA lope which is in fact a 3-beated gate. A 4-beat lope is where the horse trots in the hind legs & canters in the front (man made). Their hock is not engaged at all. Some head movement is normal but the more balanced the horse is the less it will bob. And no, not just any horse will move like this. This is decades of superb breeding at its best. Surprisingly enough these horses "lope" at birth.
nikipooh77 1 year ago 7
@nikipooh77 Excellent discription! Western Pleasure will never be understood by "back yard" Riders, so theres really no use and wasting our explination on such "Horsie" People. I Ride pretty much all new england states in AQHA, where are you out of?
shelzz87 1 year ago
As someone who has shown and judged horses for over 30 years, the way they make these horses travel is horrible. A lope is supposed to be a 3 beat gait, not a 4 beat gait. The reason the heads bob is because this is not a natural gait for the horse. In addition, this 4 beat cripple canter is not comfortable to ride.
atwell2010 1 year ago 2
@atwell2010 okay, im sorry to admit this, but the type of horses you show, you know are not of this quality. You would understand and appreciate this breed if you actually knew what you were talking about. Back yard people should never be allowed near anything AQHA western pleasure. And if a head bob isn't natural.... then why do gaited horses have bobbing heads? Just wondering... exactly. you don't know what you're talking about.
shelzz87 1 year ago
@atwell2010
you apparently dont know what your talking about!
Indiancreekstable 1 year ago
@atwell2010
What do you judge? There isn't one horse in this class that's four beating at the lope. It's actually very comfortable to ride these horses if you've ridden a good one... hence "Pleasure" horse.
DeluxGraphix 1 year ago 2
ummm are these horses walking or trotting???!!! ha!
ilymmpb 1 year ago
God they all look lame at the lope....does your horse lope that way when they are turned out?? didn't think so. Pleasure for who?
soyeahwhateva 1 year ago
@soyeahwhateva Yes actually mine does, i have a 11 year old Zips chocolate chip mare, and when she wants to be lazy she does lope around instead of speeding up.. and by they way, the way we can tell when a foal has a nice gait is by a paused hock, which is what you see, these horses are bred for this. And You also have no idea what you're talking about. It's really sad, because its a western version of Dressage, but dressage is fine right? Funnyyy how that works..
shelzz87 1 year ago
@soyeahwhateva: my gelding does lope and trot like that out in the pasture, just sayin. He loves doing his job what can i say...
9cyclones 1 year ago
@soyeahwhateva they do NOT look lame. obviously your some western breed hater. all my pleausre horses lope in the the paddock. always have even before training. its called BREEDING. not sure you know what tha means...and have you commented on a dressage video in you idiotic way "do your horses Piaf in the paddock?" or a showjumpers video "do your horses jump 1.3m fences on their days off?"
Lozmuffin11 8 months ago
@Lozmuffin11
They don't "look" lame...? really...they're staggering like drunks and they don't "look" lame to you....? OK...
crstardust 8 months ago
@crstardust Actually they are NOT "staggering like drunks" they have the exact same gait as a 3 beat canter on a reining horse, they are just slowed down and their heads are down lower. Now I'll admit, some horse that are started at the age of two and three do occasionally look crippled, but thats because they are. When WP horses are started at a very young age they do go lame but it is a stereotype that all western pleasure horses "stagger like drunks" and that they are unnatural. my WP mare
HunterJumper2013 8 months ago
@HunterJumper2013
Be sure you tell me all about it.....please...heads carried below the withers are penalized...horses that cannot move should be penalized and are not....when horses are started CORRECTLY at a young age, lameness should not enter the picture....god the ignorance....if reiners moved like this there scores would be in the minus factor...stick with hunger jumpers...you know NOTHING .....
crstardust 7 months ago
@crstardust umm.. You need to calm down. for your information my horse and I won state western pleasure a few years back. I know all about it. I was stating everything you just did. I know good and well the rules about western pleasure. Head placement is poll level with the withers or tips of the ears level with the withers. also I stated sometimes when they are started at a young age not when they started at a young age. and I didnt say reiners moved like this. I said wp horses have a 3 beat
westernpleasure2013 7 months ago
@crstardust canter as well as a reiners. I said nothing about a reiner moving like this. I do believe your the ignorant one since you see nothing but negativity in western pleasure and refuse to believe that these horses are bred and trained to do this just as any other horse is bred and trained to do their disciplines.
westernpleasure2013 7 months ago
@westernpleasure2013
Go spend a day with a Grand Prix or Olympic caliber trainer and you'll discover what "movement" truly is...until then you are clueless. I sincerely doubt you'd know the difference of three beat vs. a four beat "lope" or the difference between a horse that trots behind and "lopes" in front...see it every damn day in AQHA wp classes. FYI...my horse qualified for the AQHA world in WP....State HP, Regional HP, and on to the world show...I DO NOT endorse tricked up horses...
crstardust 7 months ago
@crstardust yes I'm clueless since i also ride a cutting horse and i am training a barrel horse. and btw you don't know me and you will never meet me so dont assume that i dont know what a three beat and a four beat lope is, and yes i do know what a horse that loped in the front and trots in the back is because I recently had that problem with my horse. and if your horse qualifies for the aqha worlds in wp, obviously your horse "staggers like a drunk" your words not mine so obviously you know
westernpleasure2013 7 months ago
Comment removed
crstardust 7 months ago
@westernpleasure2013
Geez, I'm impressed...a barrel horse no less.....you must be some talented horseman...NO, my horse didn't stagger like a drunk as they do now...doesn't take a Phi Beta Kappa key to see what's happening out there.....a group of exhibitors influenced by trainers who should know better and a group of judges who neither understand "impulsion" nor forward movement....I shall leave you to your contemplations of your navel as this entire diatribe has been rendered moot...Adios.
crstardust 7 months ago
@crstardust less than i do. i never said you endorsed tricked up horses, I dont either. so yeah whatever. by definition a horse with a three beat lope in the order of the legs hitting the ground on the left lead is right hind then left hind and right front then the left front. a four beat lope is when each foot hits the ground at a different time. I think you need to get facts before saying that I don't know anything. but think what you want since youve never met me or anything.
westernpleasure2013 7 months ago
@westernpleasure2013
Just another troll ...why the h*ll would I or anyone else want to meet you? A lotta ego talking....If you knew ANYTHING at all about movement..the LAST group of horses you'd ever endorse are the current losers out in the WP pen; Spell, "Forward", spell "Impulsion"... so many complaints have been written to the AQHA and to the AQHA Journal about this BS class.......are you friggin blind and deaf? I think so. SHAME on you for endorsing it. Nuff said about it....move on
crstardust 7 months ago
@crstardust oh and I apologize about the user name. I have a back up account i didnt realize I was logged on as a different user.
westernpleasure2013 7 months ago
@crstardust Cont...
Is professionally trained, and she is 11 and she does not lope crippled, I get that you may not like western pleasure, but do not assume that all western pleasure horses are lame. They are bred to do their job just as Thoroughbreds are bred to run and jump, and Hanoverians are bred to do dressage and jump. These horses are happy with their job.
HunterJumper2013 8 months ago
meine güte sieht das furchtbar aus. vor allem der galopp, als ob die auf allen vier beinen platt wären...ich frage mich was diese pferde dazu bringt so wider ihrer natur zu laufen...
sammy0laura 1 year ago
tis is really boring to watch it... But riding is awesome!
Liisaalovely90 1 year ago
bad form of the bay blaze faced horse at 33 sec. thats a walk, not a jog mate.
kackalovesqhs 1 year ago
I just wish we could pick up the lope a little more so the horses didn't have to head bob. My horse didn't like the lope either and got pissy, so he's hunter now and much happier, but I have see a lot of horses that are happy to go this slow, and if you try to pick their speed up, THAT'S when they get pissy. haha. And seriously people, a lot more breeds and disciplines get joints injected, not just QH WP. But still, you like what you like, I think generally, this is a good group of horses.
KadajsKatana 1 year ago 14
@KadajsKatana I agree with you. Most of these horses in the vid show pretty good forward motion and look happy and natural ;)
WitheringTales 9 months ago
lacyjay2's ...best laugh I had all day...yup, those WP horses just love getting their hocks and spines injected so they can continue on with this abominable way of moving....their lope is a travesty...get yourself to a 3 day trainer or dressage trainer and find out about collection and what moving freely means......it sure isn't this....
crstardust 1 year ago
Comment removed
mybabyjoe12 1 year ago
@crstardust oh my god shut up your so annoying and you have no idea what your talking about
mybabyjoe12 1 year ago
@mybabyjoe12
And you do? In a pigs eye toots...
crstardust 1 year ago
@crstardust i wish you knew what you were talking about.
TuffXRider 1 year ago
@crstardust if you knew the first thing about our discipline you would not post such rubbish. the only reason my horse gets injections in his hip is cos he's very old and he lives out in the paddock now cos he has been so well loved.maybe your dressage trainer should get themselves to some western trainers to teach their horses some manners rather than jumping around like heated up feed pumped psycho's.all you have to do islookata QH 2yo and a warmblood 2yo to see the difference in personality
Lozmuffin11 8 months ago
Comment removed
crstardust 8 months ago
You did not say that your horse was head of a geriatric division ... the last dam thing you'll ever see is a dressage trainer taking their Grand Prix horse to a WP trainer....comparing a Hanoverian to a AQHA WP horse? There is NO comparison...either in disposition or athletic ability and it is by design...moron.
crstardust 8 months ago
Well this isnt the way i ride...how on earth can a horse stand to have its nose practically dragging on the ground? They look much better with a head set. But thats just my personal opinion. :)
Anglgurl3123 1 year ago
@Anglgurl3123
there heads this low is actually natural for them. I have a couple well bred wp horses that naturally carries there head low like that in the feild running around
Indiancreekstable 1 year ago
@Indiancreekstable
Oh wow. Thats pretty insane. haha. i guess its natural that my horses run around with their heads tucked in since we use a bitting rig on them every other day. There are a lot of different styles of riding. So its just my opinion that horses look better with head sets.
Anglgurl3123 1 year ago
Sorry but this style of riding isnt for me, It just doesnt seem like the horses use themselves very well, no hind end engagement and such. But Its does seem that they are content and happy and thats all that matters really. :) People saying this is abuse have their head up their butt, do you see horses mouths being yanked on horses being spurred or sored? No I dont think so. If you dont like the style of riding thats fine, but they might not like the style of riding that you like either.
ReinaEquina 1 year ago 3
@ReinaEquina
no hind in engagment, thats all western pleasure is! You have to sit them down on there rear end. Its very hard.
Indiancreekstable 1 year ago
For all you people out there saying western pleasure is abuse. Its not abuse! I do have to say, if you do try to make a horse with a straight hawk(not sure if thats how you spell it) sit down and canter slow, chances are, you are gonna lame it. But these horses are trained to do it and it just comes natural to them. No, it isnt natural to canter slow, but it isnt natural for a horse to jump 4ft jumps, or to do all of those dressage maneuvers either. Arent I right!
Indiancreekstable 1 year ago 29
@Indiancreekstable actually horses enjoy jumping and in nature will can and will often chose to jump over obstacles instead of avoiding them. Jumping is pretty natural, what isn't as natural is for the horse to jump with a load on its back. As for dressage maneuvers, they were actually created and inspired from natural horse (especially stallion) maneuvers. You didn't teach the horse to do them, but rather to do them ON CUE for the military as it was a matter of life or death.
XxemoxqueenxX 1 year ago
@Indiancreekstable you are sooo right. good point (:
TuffXRider 1 year ago
@Indiancreekstable it actually can be natural for a lot of these horses to go slow. they're bred for it, it comes more naturally than dressage maneuvers! it's not abuse, some trainers are abusive to horses that may just not be cut out for western pleasure. i have a young stallion and he naturally lopes and jogs slow out in the pasture because its bred into him!
durrritsginger 1 year ago
@Indiancreekstable i ride dressage and i must correct you about the dressage moves not being natural statement. I've watched my friend Jill's Lusitano stallion Justo playing out in the pasture with her gelding Quebec, i watched as they preformed the Piaffe, Capriole, Passage, Levade, turn on the haunches and side pass, all at liberty. Every move in dressage is a natural movement, the only difference is that we ask for it with a cue and then ask them to hold/continue the movement.
SombraWolf24 1 year ago
@Indiancreekstable wait how do u know if a horse has a straight hawk because i want to train my horse to lope and i dont want to hurt him
pecoslover97 11 months ago
western pleasure no..but fixing tails of pleasure horse yes!
MultiBrouk 9 months ago
@Indiancreekstable your right. its actualy the most confortable type of riidng for the rider, and the horse
MyVaultingMoments 8 months ago
@Indiancreekstable i agree, but the loping does look a little weird, but i agree totally with you :)
dazzlingdancer98 4 months ago
I know what Lacjay2 is talking about. I got a gelding that loves WP, he loves to move slow like that.. the jog is beautiful.. they arent in pain. I find WP a hard class, it all shows how you and your horse become 1, its amazing. It's my FAV class.
-AriabianGirl23
DruMvAyNe 1 year ago
Beautiful
horseloverrusty 1 year ago
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horseloverrusty 1 year ago
I went to New Mexico last summer and at the time hadn't really looked into wp. But I visited this ranch where they raise and train the QH that go to worlds. The trainer and owner were very nice and let me ride one. It was the by far the BEST ride i've ever had! not to mention their calm disposition was a refresher from all the barrel racers, dressage, and jumpers back home. I love the atmosphere to! the horses and people are happy, healthy, and love what they're doing!
WindWolfProductions 1 year ago
you people are such idiots! have you ever had a finished western pleasure horse? well i sure have because i trained it myself. it took me a full year to gain this collection, balance along with everything else. get your facts straight before you decide whats "ugly, grotesque and sick looking."
mrn1224 1 year ago
all of the dressage riders should do themselves a favor and youtube "blue tongue world cup" have fun viewing the abuse. ;) idiots.
MsDannyBoy07 1 year ago 2
@stoicfish3 don't get me wrong, I agree that how slow these horse go is unnatural looking for a lot of them (some can pull it off) but they are not trained with force, they're trained with actual patience and positive reinforcement.
MsDannyBoy07 1 year ago
@stoicfish3 these WP horses are at least trained in a humane way... they aren't FORCED to curl their necks in such an unnatural way so their chins are touching their chests like "Moorlands Totilas." Forcing a horse to perform in such an unnatural way is totally disgusting. Yes it "looks" more impressive than a WP because of the action, but I would never support such a barbaric activity. Just my personal opinion though...
MsDannyBoy07 1 year ago
I love Western Pleasure... But the horse I just bought is a super slow pleasure horse. The problem with most of these horses is that they leave there butt behind. they are too slow... But these horses are incredible! There movement is good and they have a good menality.
hobbyhorsegirl 1 year ago
WP horses are incredible athletes! have you ever been in the Dressage world come on seriously you want to talk about unnatural. And the cross country horses and race horses who have more spills then i can think of Im not dogging on any discipline! Zips Chocolate chip have you seen him loose in a pasture? When was the last time you saw a dressage horse doing a pirouette in a pasture Just do your research before you speak! These horses are on their hinds n NO ITS NOT ABUSE! GO ride one 4 ur self
Mydaddysgottime 1 year ago
You convince yourself it's great athleticism because you do this kind of riding and so you think it's great. I've got some sad news for you - it's ugly, grotesque and sick looking. The horses are hobbling around bobbing their heads up and down in the most unnatural, bizarre posture possible, they are not cantering and they aren't trotting, just shuffling, hobbling around. Every few years someone beats their chest saying this type of riding is 'better now' and it is always the same mess.
pirouette987 1 year ago
@pirouette987 Honey, look up Rolkur if you want to see something grotesque.
sheacat 1 year ago
I am not knocking Western pleasure. But a collected horse has most of it weight on it hindend. When these horses canter they have to use there heads to help shift their wieght so they can move their front ends. There back legs do not come under themselves. Not a bad thing, just not collected. U-tube "Moorlands Totilas" and you will see the difference, that horse moves off his hindend.
stoicfish3 1 year ago 2
@stoicfish3 None of us care what you have to say anyway. Everyone who rides western pleasure is still going to ride it the same way. Obviously you do not have an eye for how horses move.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
@lovethatblaze
No you don't care, and that is fine. You are 18 years old and know everything. Good for you. I have been around horses and showing longer then you have been alive. You should drop Anky a line, as she and everyone else is also doing it wrong.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
@stoicfish3 I have to agree, i have a WP horse and you have to teach them to use there hind ends to get up under themselves, it can be hard, but a true WP horse should have power from the hind end just like a dressage horse, the training is similar if done right, some of these horses are semi collected, but if they truly were they would not need to use there heads so much.
jobroluvs234 1 year ago
I would have the hardest time judging this class! Almost every one of these horses are perfect. I love the AQHA world western pleasure classes because you weed out all of the bad western pleasure horses. Some of these horses almost give me chills! Great video.
JohnCDepp2lover 1 year ago
im about to do this was it scary to do that in front of ppl??
allimaxfarm 1 year ago
looks pleasurable to sit to but I prefer to travel a bit faster!
icklesquish89 1 year ago
these horse look like robots....
lilpimp2play 1 year ago
it is really fun to ride one
breyercrazy1 1 year ago
woohoo, illinois representin' haha.
PerformanceQH 1 year ago
Its hard to train a horse to slow down, i agree with you Neo2906. I just got a 2 year old Quarter Horse and he likes to actually go slow :) so im lucky there. Just need to get that head down! I wish people would stop dissing this out, the horses are well looked after trust me, i know. its hard work to keep them that good looking.
nfiracing29 1 year ago
I do pleasure too :) I actually found a 2 year old who likes to go slow, not fast ! So in my case it is natual to the horse! Why do people complain about everything?! JEEEEZ. Its just pretty much insulting something that someone likes to do. How would u like it if i said, i hate how you make horses jump so high. But i dont care :\ so stop dissing out other peoples sports, it would be different if these horses were abused, HUH! But they arent. They are well looked after,
nfiracing29 1 year ago 2
well,i do pleasure too.i like it the slow way.but i think some horses look sick.i think there must be a lovely flow in all moves.but to much headbumping and a kanter that looks like they have a dorsal prob is not so good.but to all who think it`s the easy way to ride....try it ! And try to teach a horse to do it this way !!!
greetz neo :-)
Neo2906 1 year ago
you know what is hilarious? anybody on here that does western pleasure thinks everyone posting negative comments on here is retarded. you dont know what the hell your talking about. it is unnatural to ride a horse period..so find another sport? watch a different video? these horses are world quality and have been put lots of time into. people will continue to leave there useless comments about how horrible it is but these horses look very good (:
gabi53xx 1 year ago 2
Anyone who posts negative comments about western pleasure has never tried it and does not have a horse talented enough to travel in a collected and balanced, controlled manner. Don't make negative comments about something that you know nothing about.... Go try it first, and then make your comments. If this is not your 'thing' go watch something that you enjoy...
gmadaisy 2 years ago
I agree with you gabi53xx and gmadaisy. These people are also the ones who don't know about how the quarter horse is built and that this breed in particular are naturally built "down hill" and that the way they move in western pleasure isn't as unnatural as some people think. There are of course extremes in everything, but the horses shown in this video have clearly been trained correctly and have been incredibly successful.
4488mahler 1 year ago
i think the jogs look nice in western and boy are they comfy, but they look crippled at the lope :( kudos to anyone who manages to go to a show that high ranking!! but really your horse looks broken when you lope it.
RainnKitten 2 years ago
and then i watched the pony clubbers riders ride their horses and there was no difference they still yanked their poor horses aroundd that upsets me not saying that u do it
westernpleasuresarah 2 years ago
pony clubbers can't ride worth shit. just saying. these are world class horses and riders..... so i agree with you. pony clubbers are WAYYYYY harder on their horses, jumping them and with their rough hands.
rylee033 1 year ago
....people who ride in local shows or clubs are usually learning to ride or maybe can afford to ride at this level. everyone starts somewere im sure you started at a few club shows yourself
0purple0oranges0 1 year ago
I started in 4h where we were taught to ride. NEVER in pony club. i'm not saying pony club or 4h are bad at all - they are wonderful programs. But for the most part, they need to help the kids out with riding a little more. And you are right, riding this was is exspensive, so do open shows and more importantly, get a trainer. most of the best riders have come from 4h. So i'm not dissing it. I was just agreeing with someone who said pony clubbers are too harsh one their horses usually
rylee033 1 year ago
club shows are were alot of people start its were i started and i now show in AQHA shows so club shows are a good place to start Im not sure where you live but most of the people in my area show in the first local show before congress jus to get our horses back around a show invironment for a day. im not sure if you mean to but It just seems a little snobby the way you put things
0purple0oranges0 1 year ago
How is ths a trot? It's more of a valium-induced shuffle. It doesn't look natural at all. It looks contrived and ridiculous. I'm ashamed of how unnatural "western pleasure" has become.
julegad 2 years ago 2
nothing is natural in horse riding i apologise for calling pleasure natural coz it isn't but if u find me a horse sport that is i will be surprised i love pleasure but that is just me u might like english riding but trust me western is not bad for the horses and western riders are very skilled and i am sure most english riders are to just in a different way i went to a pony club and did reining, pleasure and lots of western riding types with no bridle
westernpleasuresarah 2 years ago
Urp!
If any of these animals was spooked the riders would tumble off backwards like so many Humpty-Dumpty 's!!
My students get flogged if they ride like this!
appaloosa42 2 years ago
I have a western pleasure horse who looks and rides like these ones, he has spooked on me and i stayed on just fine. and it wasn't just a little spook where he hops to the side or anything, it was a big spook. These horses are well trained, just like the riders as well, they won't fall off and are riding properly.
rylee033 1 year ago
@appaloosa42 These animals don't usually spook because the riders are so talented to get them this way that they are paying attention to the rider's cues, not what's happening otherwise.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
I did a frame by frame analysis of some of the horses in this class. Wow, they really do four-beat at the wog and the trope; oops I meant the jog and lope... It's especially eggregious on that horse with the fucshia-shirted rider. The fake tails just add the final touch of unreality to this class. Pitiful!
Liberty9m 2 years ago
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CathyluvsBuddy 2 years ago
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Love2Ride96 2 years ago
Screw of If you dont like it dont watch no ones forcing.
Nice Looking Horses!!
Love2Ride96 2 years ago 2
ok if u dont wanna see something beautiful and natural well go watch something else and get a life while ur at it
westernpleasuresarah 2 years ago
These horses are bred with downward movement specifically for these classes. These horses are incredible athletes, and these riders are much better then you will probably ever be if you are one.
rylee033 1 year ago 2
@rylee033
Your right they are bred for that. It is not a bad thing just not collected.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
@stoicfish3 I agree with you, it's horrible that the horses have to throw their heads up and down to stay balanced, the horses need to use more of their hind ends. but some of the comments being made on here are down right stupid - like the ones saying this is abuse. that is what i was getting at when i said these horses are bred for this kind of movement and riding.
rylee033 1 year ago 3
do they really play music during the class? thats neat haha, probably helps make you relax.
aqhakristen 2 years ago
Please search good n sonny gunner. For sale, out of zippos mr good bar...and these are western pleasure horses that for the most part have the typical "look" though some of them have issues in the hind
GoodnSonnyGunner04 2 years ago
Yes it is! They were bred to move this way! If they physically couldnt do it, they wouldnt. And a good trainer would know that. Thats why they pick certain horses, with the legs and ability to move this way.
cowgurl630 2 years ago
I see very nice representation of quality WP -- nice video
Fitnurs2 2 years ago
All of these horses look fantastic :)
musicsnextbigthing 2 years ago
That is how they are supposed to move. If you dont know anything about WP, dont watch it, and dont bitch about the way they move. Sorry they dont run around the pen like friggin idiots.
cowgurl630 2 years ago
Okay all you people that commented on this video saying "ohh the horse looks unhappy, blah blah blah" Get a friggin clue. These horses are western pleasure horses, they are supposed to go slow. And screw you for saying they arent "collected" . They are actually nice movers, unlike crazy dressage horses. They use their hock and have alot of lift in their front end. So get over your stupid little bullshit theories and realize that this is how they are supposed to move!
cowgurl630 2 years ago
When they "lope", I think it looks like their legs or hooves is hurted :s
and I totally agree with the one who's written here below!
Vikingchic666999 2 years ago
I can tell you that these horses dont look happy by any means. I dont know of any cowboys back in the old days that would go loping around that slow. It would take them a year to move cows around. If you look at the horses you can see that they are not truly collected but mostly just going slow. Compare this horse to a Dressage horse and you can see how jacked up they are in the hips and body. It makes me sad for the horse. They need to let the horses move forward more natrually.
pumbaagirl1 2 years ago
You are totally rediculous! You obviously have no idea how WP horses are supposed to move. So why dont you shut it and go watch some crazy pukes run around a show pen.
cowgurl630 2 years ago
@pumbaagirl1 Well, times change and these are the cowboys TODAY. They are truly collected. Trust me, there's no way in hell they could go that slow without being collected. You have to use as much leg as you can to get a horse like that unless they have been doing it for 10 years and know their job to a T. There is nothing sad about their lives.. they are spoiled and love their jobs. I feel bad for the jumping horses who get pains in their front end from landing so hard on their front feet.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
@lovethatblaze
You have a different definition of collected then anyone who rides dessage. I am not sure what you mean but that is not collected.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
@lovethatblaze
Check out the wiki def of collection, it explains the diference between slow and collected. Collected is the weight on the hind end not the front, it allows the horse to move off of it's backend.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
I never said that slow meant collected. You obviously have never truly rode a western pleasure horse .. or at least correctly. Do you not see the way these horses go? Every time their front end pops at the lope, it means they are driving from their hind. It takes collection to make a horse hold a tight step at a jog. Then at the lope you have to hold your horse's hip to the inside like you would in dressage and it takes collection to stay slow but keep a long stride at the same time.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
These people don't pay tens of thousands of dollars (show outfit, show pad, in style saddle/headstall, ad campaigns, entry fees, stalls, professional banding, hauling, hotel rooms, etc) because they don't know how to ride a horse.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
@lovethatblaze
Has nothing to do with the credibility of the sport or how good of riders they are, and actually my comment has nothing to do with the video as much as the fact that you do not know what collection is as those horses are not colleted. They are wonderful and talented and bla bla but they are not collected.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
@lovethatblaze They ride fine, it is you who is misusing a term.
stoicfish3 1 year ago
@stoicfish3 Haha I think it's you misreading a message, but whatever. I am not going to argue with you over a video.
lovethatblaze 1 year ago
yea but most of these horses live in a stall not a pasture with a lot of horses in them cuz the owners are afraid they will get a little stinkin scratch on their horse big whoop let them be a horse but i do feel bad for those jumpers and race horses
sk8erdevil5 1 year ago
I'm not sayiing u guys are wrong I do all events from english to western, It is called western PLEASURE, pleasure to ride, ur not posting going fast, you just sit there and relax, whil ur horse does the work
katelynslmr 2 years ago
gehts noch schneller ? :D
Justiii94 2 years ago
apparently some people forget that these animals are much bigger and stronger than people!!!!! if these horses were in pain or discomfort, these riders would be biting the dust -to say the least
polkarullah 2 years ago
so u get the left lead by putting there head to the rail and spur with the right side, maybe thats why she is beating you:s
palominochampion 2 years ago
my horse and i,we barrel race now, because we got bored with pleasure, and i found out she is to fast, because a 10yr old girl,kept beating us at pleasure, and i kept beating her at speed. so now my pleasure horse is my speed horse.~~~~~~ also how do you get a horse to take the left lead loping??
RidinWildandFree 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i guess thats your stupid opinion
westernpleasuresarah 2 years ago
im srry it just looks wierd and its super boring to watch
Blondecowgrl09 2 years ago
but is wrong with u people western pleasure is not bad 4 horses. its good 4 the horses because they r relaxed the whole look of western is 4 the horses to be relaxed i do western on a beautiful old quarter horse i hav never done anything else so i would not know but i can see in dressage and show jumping that that reins are held tight and kicks are given that does not happen in wp
westernpleasuresarah 2 years ago
there is nothing wrong with dressage or showjumping!
1horse1crazy1 2 years ago
I like how many of them are walking either in the hind end or the front end at the jog. I love the bay with the yellow shirt's lope.
IStartWithGlowPlugs 2 years ago
Ok, people really need to chill. This is in no way painful or abusive to the horse! It's a beautiful form of harmony between horse and rider. What other type of riding requires no contact with the reins but you get your horse to preform like this!
This is great, beautiful, and most off all, amazing to watch.
and anyone who says otherwise should try it before commenting
raphfreak101 2 years ago
Okay all you ppl saying all this shit about western pleasure! its easy for a horse to run around with its head up strung out. These horses are bred for western so its more natural for them to go slow. I dont think you guys get it. dont watch it if you dont like it. the horses look beautiful to me! so quiet your talking shit!
MorganRichey08 2 years ago
it is not more natural for them to go slow! and im not saying that this is bad, takes no skill or anything. infact i ride western pleasure, all im saying is this isnt natural, im not saying it's bad
1horse1crazy1 2 years ago
Comment removed
1horse1crazy1 2 years ago
a horse can go as fast as it wants to in WP, they jus have to be collected and balanced and PLEASURABLE to ride which is where the slow comes in, and in fact to all of u dissing WP why dont u watch the discipline and tell me how many of the horses are upset and in pain bc i have been to alot of the major AQHA circuits and have NEVER seen a horse that is pissed to be going slow all of our horses love it so jus shut it not every one is in love wit it but still if u dont like it keep that to urself
lacyjay2 2 years ago 8
all i am saying is a horses natural gait is faster... IM NOT DISSING WP!!!! no it doesnt hurt the horse to go that slow unless it has back or neck problems i know that!
1horse1crazy1 2 years ago