The Ethics and Passions of Dressage

By Charles de Kunffy

In this his most thoughtful and thought-provoking book to date, Charles de Kunffy issues a philosophical call to arms for a dedication to the art of riding and attention to the traditions of classical horsemanship. In an almost poetic manner, he addresses important issues that should be considered by every dedicated equestrian, such as the nature of competition- should it challenge or reinforce classical horsemanship?;He considers the character of the equestrian: what inner qualities are required and should be cultivated to become a complete horseman? And, what are the individual equestrian's responsibilities to classical horsemanship and the academic equitation? He explores non-confrontational principles of training and the true meaning of "on the bit" and the engagement, and discusses the development of the correct seat and the use of hands and reins. He offers valuable suggestions on finding and selecting help for classical dressage training.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939481332
• ISBN13: 9780939481330
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Half Halt Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 4.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Thought-provoking little book

This is quite a thought-provoking little book. De Kunffy packs a lot into this slim volume. Dressage is definitely his passion and he defends it to the hilt. One oddity, though, is his preference for using statues to defend his treatise. And he imbues these statues with a lot of emotion and virtues and reasons for being that are somewhat surprising if actually true. It's still worth the read.

a must for all true horsepeople

This book perfectly combats the "modern" theories on how dressage should be ridden by bringing to memory the time when the horse was trained out of necessity, yet the author does not extensively dwell on that time frame. The memory created is enough for all who are well-versed in the sport to recall the truths that were formed by masters of the past (and then often subsequently buried by later "riders"), but it doesn't get bogged down in historic details. He calls for a perfected technique of riding, born not out of technology or but out of a dance, which results in an exalted "partnership born of spirtied love, a love which is only heightened by understanding through discipline." I highly, highly suggest this book to anyone, whether they are just beginning in the art (or sport, take your pick), or whether they have been involved in the horse industry for decades.

Loved this book!

I totally enjoy the way Charles DeKunffy writes. He draws from the historical use of horses, and compares that to dressage in this century. His thought-provoking comments are written in a somewhat "lofty" manner, but make him seem even more the baroque personality he claims to be. I loved his illustrations, both pictorial and verbal. This was a wonderful book!