Define "gymnasticize"

[smm20]

I was reading some of the dressage threads (although I’m a HJ rider) and a word popped out at me: gymnasticize. I was first exposed to this word earlier this year when my horse’s massage therapist used it repeatedly over the course of a session to explain to me the benefits of massage and stretching. I was so distracted by the word (which I had never heard used before), that I missed half of what she said to me.

As far as I can tell, gymnasticize is NOT a word.

Gymnasticize is not in the Merriam-Webster dictionary - or ANY online dictionary for that matter. When you type “define gymnasticize” into Google, the first five websites are all dressage sites or blogs.

So, since “gymnasticize” is not in the dictionary, and because it seems to be a new word specific to the horse world, can someone please explain to me what it means so that I can understand what the massage therapist is saying? Is it a combination of “gymnastic” and “exercise?” Is it an attempt to translate a German or Dutch word? What is the proper way to use this new word in a sentence?

Note - I am not bashing the use of the word (although, as a picky grader, I generally mark down students who make up words) - I just want to understand what it means.

Thank you very much!

[pintopiaffe]

I think there are words for it in other languages that don’t quite translate to english, and that is the closest translation.

My teacher (Portuguese) uses it to mean ‘supple AND strengthen.’ Not just a loosening or suppling movement, but a movement that also builds strength and develops the muscles correctly.

[Bluey]

Don’t know, have not heard that word.
The closest I can come with is “gymnastics” and that meant the little serial exercises over cavalletti or small jumps.
Those we used for basic training, no matter what we did with the horse later, dressage or jumping.

[ThreeFigs]

Heh! I’ve heard “gymnasticize” so often over the years, I never realized there was no such word!

Pretty much what PP and Bluey have said. A gymnastic exercise might be a shoulder-in ridden through walk-trot transitions, transitions within and between gaits, counter-flexions, counter-canter, leg yield – or exercises over rail grids, cavalletti and jumps.

Just for starters. Even hill work could be considered a gymnastic.

Used in a sentence (since you asked!):

I rode over ground rails at the trot to gymnasticize my horse; he achieved better rhythm and engagement after several repetitions.

[canyonoak]

I am guessing that it became a word in dressage because of the pervasive influence of Steinbrecht’s “Das Gymnasium des Pferdes” or 'The Gymnasium of the Horse",
which sits by the bedside of nearly everyone who ever thinks about what it is to train a horse.

[slc2]

Lots of words aren’t in the dictionary, or the way they are used is not in the dictionary. Gymnastizing a dressage horse means focusing on the quality of the gaits, suppleness, self carriage and impulsion (or whatever qualities are most important for the level the horse is at) instead of focusing on completing a figure or movement.

For me gymnasticizing is synonymous with ‘good dressage training’.

I worked with a trainer who was not much on gymnasticiizing. We worked on basically, practicing parts of tests.

I worked with a trainer who was much more into gymnasticizing. We did tons of suppling work, creating more and more impulsion, getting better transitions.

You also tend to do more fitness work with the gymnasticizing trainer. They tend to look at muscles, how they are developing and where on the horse, and if sufficient to move up.

So where one trainer might say, sure, move up to PSG, the more gymnasticizing trainer is going to say, yeah he does the pirouette and changes, but he doesn’t really have enough wind or back muscle or muscle round his stifle, he isn’t fit enough to do the work well or to sustain it over time and build on it, get him fitter before competing at that level.

Another example, there is no test that has a counter canter with a counter bend, but it is a powerful gymnasticizing exercise. So the gymnasticizing trainer will use it.

With a trainer that understands the importance of gymnasticizing a dressage horse, you do figures, movements, too, but the thought process, emphasis is just a little different.

[smm20]

Thanks for the great replies!

I’m glad to know my massage therapist isn’t making up words. Now, I just need to work on hearing it and using it without thinking of the old Disney show “Mousercise” - as in “I tied big black ears to the bridle and mousercised my horse.”

[lstevenson]

@slc2;4656224

Another example, there is no test that has a counter canter with a counter bend, but it is a powerful gymnasticizing exercise. So the gymnasticizing trainer will use it.

Yes, it’s excercises like this that improve the horses suppleness, strength, and range of motion that are considered gymnasticizing.

[Om1]

“Mousercize” :lol::lol::lol:
I may never get this picture out of my head! :lol: