Hi Judy, >I thought the same thing. Looking at her general demeanor, and *how* the >tail was swishing, wasn't like the "get out of my mouth, that hurts!" type >of swish.
Just watched the video and yes very nice horse. But to me the tail swishing is everytime he is touched with the rider's spur - especially when the rider is also asking for more collection. I have worked with a number of high level dressage horses and this type of response is usually connected with tightness and sensitivity in the barrel which can be from a number of reasons. The horse must be an exceptional athlete to be at that level as a 9 year old - it is always a question that the talented and compliant horses can be over pushed - in any breed and discipline. To me the best thing about the freestyle is that the rider can choose the horse's best movements and do them in the order that is easiest for the horse. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
