Balancing ACT

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann trained as a Bereiter (master rider) in Germany before qualifying for veterinary study at Munich University. There he specialized in equine orthopedics for two years before accepting a post as the head of the breeding department at the German FN, which he eventually left to start his own practice in Warendorf. He has been an active member of the "hyperflexion" (previously referred to as Rollkur) debate, weighing in at the 2005 USDF National Symposium and the 2006 FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop. Along with Klaus Balkenhol and other prominent figures in the dressage community, Dr. Heuschmann is a founding member of "Xenophon," an organization dedicated to "fighting hard against serious mistakes in equestrian sport" (xenophon-classical-riding.org). Dr. Heuschmann's other books include Tug of War: Modern versus Classical Dressage and Collection or Contortion? He also produced a video If Horses Could Speak.

Originally published in the German language as Balanceakt: in dubio pro equo by Wu Wei Verlag, 86938 Schondorf, Germany, 2011.