And probably narcissism?
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It was this thread being cross posted on the HHO forum that changed Steph Bloom’s support for BTMM, it used to be brought up and recommended fairly frequently over there but not anymore.
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To recap on my thread that I started, the blogs that introduce me to the concept of BTMM have essentially abandoned the method.
I do know two local trainers (both that I had worked with briefly in the past, years ago) that are pretty deep in this stuff. Basically both of them have stopped doing anything I would call Dressage as we know it and their programs are radically different. I know one has almost tripled their prices and it seems they teach a much much smaller amount of clients than before.
But I have yet to see anyone get to the “otherside” of the program. Curious if anyone that posted earlier on is still having success with it? No shame in being happy with the method if it is working.
As far as my own horse, I feel like I can get what I think is pillar one and pillar two no problem without ever joining the program. But it’s not a big, continual focus for us. We work on a lot of things.
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https://www.facebook.com/share/p/151XQvy2WL/
Maybe I’m just dumb. I don’t think any of it sounds like a bad thing. Obviously don’t let your horse brace or go around like a llama. And yes obviously don’t then get your horse stretching down just actually dropped on the forehand. All sounds good to me.
But I keep scratching my head and why it said in so many words and so expensive. Like I said I still don’t really get it after a few years since the thread.
But maybe I’m just not the target. I’m a pretty mediocre rider but I’ve been riding dressage with good, qualified people for years. I’ve always been a bit of a book worm as far as reading books and stuff. I’ve always had a high interest in horse care. I do also have a horse that I think is not the target here. He’s technically a downhill QH but not very downhill compared to many. And I think he naturally understands how to lift and use himself for at least short periods. I like to think good training helps but honestly I was watching a video of a sire who moves very similarly even though he was working cows.
So anyways if it’s working for you, truly, that’s great. Sure I hate to see somebody who seems like they can be a little unethical get filthy rich but that is almost beside the point as far as the method. I myself have paid money for stuff that I thought was probably b******* but it was my money to spend.
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Professionals that know how to train dont need that many words. Look at how simple and succint Christine was at the symposium last week.
You dont need all these fancy words when you know how to train it. Its feel. But unless you have huge street cred, fancy words are confusing and sell to amateurs because that was hard to understand and it makes her sound like she knows more than the buyer so they should buy!
But its just the basics. Get the horse to stretch, get the horse to rebalance and take weight behind without leaning, then get a little flexion side to side. It sounds like she tried to reinvent legerete steps 1-3. Someone who knows what they are doing just naturally does this with their horse by assessing what needs done. They dont explain a novel, they just know to do it.
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What’s the HHO forum?
Horse & Hound forum I believe.
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Are the Sync breeches still associated with this? Was looking at the black lined white breeches when I realized they sponsor BTMM… I don’t want to buy if it supports this crap!
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I’m not sure but I will say if you order them, the return time frame is super tight. Make sure you try them quickly - I waited and missed the window. I personally hate mine (show every dimple…) but lots of people love them.
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Yes and it’s such a bummer. I really want to try their breeches but I would never give money to someone who supports that narcissistic charlatan 
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I broke and ordered those sparkly breeches in light blue because they match a pad I have. Yes, show every dimple. I don’t have that problem, even with the cheap Amazon riding tights. It made me think of that line in Sisters “We need less Forever 21 and more Suddenly 42.” However, I sized up on their winter breeches and really like them.
If it helps, I read on another thread that the black lined white breeches don’t look good.
It’s funny, I followed CLL on FB and read a post she did the other day that pretty much showed her hand on the pillars stuff. Basically saying that most horses are holding tension, and the IH work helps with that. So yeah. No need to pay money to figure that out, but I can see novice horse people with tense, uncomfortable horses thinking this is a magic pill and going for their wallets, not realizing they just need to attend to their horses’ comfort and relaxation when working.
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Spot on
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I am increasingly distressed to see people I consider to be tops in the training field falling for these fakes. Why? Is it that people do not have the confidence in themselves and the wherewithal to recognize social media gurus with absolutely nothing to offer but social media following? People who don’t have any credentials? People who squeeze money out of well meaning horse people? I absolutely hate it.
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It’s a very interesting thing.
I have gotten a good amount of PM’s and emails from people saying they joined, were all about it but then started to see the cattiness or inconsistency and stopped with the program. Sadly most of them said they will not speak out publicly because they are afraid of the wrath that may come from speaking out more publicly.
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What’s interesting is that there were a few BTMM instructors listed on her site that seem to be no longer associated with her (taken off her website).
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I saw a 3yo unstarted Saddlebred on one of those biomechanics FB pages with genetic swayback. It’s a genetic marker in some saddlebred lines, there’s been a lot of studies about it. Multiple people suggested this program to fix the horse’s back. The number of people who thought it was fixable was astounding.
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That is really irritating.
A sway can definitely be strengthened, but you cannot fix a genetic swayback with corrective exercises. Helpful? Sure. Fixable? Nope.
But then again, these are the same people that often claim that it’s a result of poor riding, and it’s not - these genetic issues show up before the horse is ever even put into training (if it is).
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I did this too, when I was a teenager. I was very athletic but not experienced in english/dressage riding. I had a coach with a german accent, and someone told me she was good. She kept me at a walk forever. I didn’t know any better, and she talked the talk, and was so particular and specific it seemed like she knew what she was talking about. I had never seen her ride.
I stayed with her for about a year then left cause I was bored. A year later after working for an upper level dressage trainer, my horse and I were showing above the level the old coach had ever showed. I finally got to see her ride, at a show, doing 2nd level. And it was not good. Her and her students all looked the same. She actually complimented me after a clinic once telling me how amazing it was I had gotten that horse to 4th level (the one I spent a year at the walk with training with her).
I doubt this trainer is actively trying to take advantage of you. She probably thinks she knows what she’s talking about…and if you’re enjoying it, it’s at the minimum likely not hurting the horse, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t do it. But it does sound a little bit like she’s one of the “Klassical” types.
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Your point is very meaningful for the conversation but I did want to let you know that the person you are responding to has actually passed away. She sure loved her horses and the journey she was on though.
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oh my gosh i’m sorry to hear that, thank you for letting me know.
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