Mental toughness in horses: Mind over matter?

The relativity of soundness by Anne Gribbons (from the March 6 2009 issue of Chronicle of the Horse) should be required reading for horsemen and women. Gribbons read the tribute to Graf George written by his veterinarian, Paul McClellan, and apparently she was inspired by the article about this gifted horse. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Graf George, a big gray Hanoverian by Graphit out of a thoroughbred mare. His brilliance in the dressage ring took him, and his rider Gunter Seidel, to the Olympics twice for two bronze medals. If you have never seen Graf George take a look at his 1998 WEG performance. I love his floppy ears.

Horses with "issues"
Dr. McClellan observed that Graf George was a horse with many bumps and dings, yet his great heart overcame physical limitations. Gribbons reflects on this point and offers her views on the role of heart and character in the sport horse. Gribbons shares the story of her thoroughbred Tappan Zee. Tappan was an tough old ex-racehorse with two bowed tendons that she trained to Grand Prix. When he died from a broken pelvis, Gribbons writes that "I was too young and inexperienced then to know what a rare, brave and generous animal I was losing." As thoroughbred owner I find it especially nice that someone who has such a high profile in dressage chose to recognize a thoroughbred. In my book, thoroughbreds set the standard for mental toughness.

The flesh may be weak, but what does the spirit say?
Gribbons questions the predictive value of the standard veterinary diagnostic tools. Pre-purchase exams and radiographs don't tell the whole story, she says, and a clean vetting is no guarantee your horse will be sound. Over the years she has run across her share of horses who have no physical problems but also no motivation. "No radiographs will protect you against that kind of horse, because they are allergic to effort and have work avoidance down to an art form," she writes. Pre-purchase exams are often misused. A cautionary note from the vet can send a skittish buyer running, and the navicular bone pictures have killed many sales in her experience. With great frustration she has watched the horses with "bad x-rays" go on to compete successfully year after year.

Final thoughts
Well, the Gribbons article has inspired me, not only to reflect on the greatness of Graf George, but to learn more about the use of vettings and x-rays in predicting a horse's future in sports. In an upcoming entry I hope to write about it. But for now, I hope you'll go back to the first paragraph and watch the video of the magnificent Graf George.