How to Overcome Human Nature and Become a More Just, Generous Riding Partner for Your Horse
By Leigh Ballard
Dressage riders are susceptible to the faults of human nature, as are we all, but maybe even more so than the average person because of the exacting nature of dressage. The Seven Deadly Sins of Dressage by Douglas Puterbaugh and Lance Wills grabs the reader’s interest by putting the foibles of human nature as they relate to riding on full display. The seven deadly “sins” are: Ignorance, Timidity, Pride, Fear, Impatience, Anger, and Immoderation. In straightforward, simple and matter-of-fact statements of right and wrong, the authors address each sin in its own chapter. With observation and astute clarity, the authors provide the reader ways to recognize and respond to their character weaknesses and riding “sins.”
Although the categories of sins are human traits, each chapter holds other illuminating bits of information which any rider can use to create awareness of and bolster her defenses against the sins. Chapter one on Ignorance explains anthropomorphism, how people attribute human reasoning and emotion to horse behavior. Chapter two about Timidity is a blend of old masters’ ideas and modern psychological/ behaviorism theory, discussing the “natural horsemanship” concepts of herd leadership, instinctive reactions, attention span, and consequences of reward and punishment. Chapter three, Pride, delves into problems of blame and excuses, which are common “explanations” for performance that is not up to par. Chapter six calls Anger “the deadliest sin of dressage” because it has a myriad of detrimental effects, on the self, on relationships, on the horse, on progress to becoming a better horseperson.
All of the sins are evident to some degree with any rider at any level of riding. But the exacting worlds of dressage, and of the competitive show horse world in general, are especially riddled with problems originating from these sins.
The book is a blend of psychology, philosophy, and practical advice. It combines old knowledge with modern concepts of riding and horsemanship, but it is not a book on dressage technique per se. It is a book about human character traits as they relate to riding. Above all, it is a self improvement book, and as stated in the chapter on Immoderation, the overarching theme is: “Before trying to improve your horse, try to improve yourself.”
About the authors: Douglas Puterbaughhas been a professional trainer, instructor, and clinician for more than 20 years. He is the founder and operator of Puterbaugh Dressage Sport in Howell, Michigan. Website:
http://www.puterbaughdressage.com/
Lance Willsis an award-winning writer and photographer, including 2007 winner of the Preservation Foundation’s non-fiction award. He has written for numerous publications, including the Christian Science Monitor, the Gainesville Sun, and Ocean Magazine. His photographs have been published by Smithsonian Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Read the 7 Deadly Sins of Dressage blog at: http://the7deadlysinsofdressage.wordpress.com/. Find them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/the7deadlysinsofdressage?sk=wall&filter=3
By Leigh Ballard
Dressage riders are susceptible to the faults of human nature, as are we all, but maybe even more so than the average person because of the exacting nature of dressage. The Seven Deadly Sins of Dressage by Douglas Puterbaugh and Lance Wills grabs the reader’s interest by putting the foibles of human nature as they relate to riding on full display. The seven deadly “sins” are: Ignorance, Timidity, Pride, Fear, Impatience, Anger, and Immoderation. In straightforward, simple and matter-of-fact statements of right and wrong, the authors address each sin in its own chapter. With observation and astute clarity, the authors provide the reader ways to recognize and respond to their character weaknesses and riding “sins.”
Although the categories of sins are human traits, each chapter holds other illuminating bits of information which any rider can use to create awareness of and bolster her defenses against the sins. Chapter one on Ignorance explains anthropomorphism, how people attribute human reasoning and emotion to horse behavior. Chapter two about Timidity is a blend of old masters’ ideas and modern psychological/ behaviorism theory, discussing the “natural horsemanship” concepts of herd leadership, instinctive reactions, attention span, and consequences of reward and punishment. Chapter three, Pride, delves into problems of blame and excuses, which are common “explanations” for performance that is not up to par. Chapter six calls Anger “the deadliest sin of dressage” because it has a myriad of detrimental effects, on the self, on relationships, on the horse, on progress to becoming a better horseperson.
All of the sins are evident to some degree with any rider at any level of riding. But the exacting worlds of dressage, and of the competitive show horse world in general, are especially riddled with problems originating from these sins.
The book is a blend of psychology, philosophy, and practical advice. It combines old knowledge with modern concepts of riding and horsemanship, but it is not a book on dressage technique per se. It is a book about human character traits as they relate to riding. Above all, it is a self improvement book, and as stated in the chapter on Immoderation, the overarching theme is: “Before trying to improve your horse, try to improve yourself.”
About the authors: Douglas Puterbaughhas been a professional trainer, instructor, and clinician for more than 20 years. He is the founder and operator of Puterbaugh Dressage Sport in Howell, Michigan. Website:
http://www.puterbaughdressage.com/
Lance Willsis an award-winning writer and photographer, including 2007 winner of the Preservation Foundation’s non-fiction award. He has written for numerous publications, including the Christian Science Monitor, the Gainesville Sun, and Ocean Magazine. His photographs have been published by Smithsonian Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Read the 7 Deadly Sins of Dressage blog at: http://the7deadlysinsofdressage.wordpress.com/. Find them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/the7deadlysinsofdressage?sk=wall&filter=3
