From One Extreme to Another

From one unhealthy extreme to another -

In response to over flexed horses ridden too deeply behind the vertical, it’s easy to come to the logical conclusion that out in front of the vertical is best.

Nuance is important here!

An over flexed neck is not healthy, either behind or above the bit. Just because the horse over flexed is under physical duress, a horse flattening their neck and pushing their nose ahead is not inherently better.

Many now have taken to manually lifting the poll up and riding a strung out horse with the poll locked. This is still front to back riding, and is still not healthy for the spine.

The hind leg has to bear weight.

The back has to have a healthy swing, it can’t be flattened - even if the throat latch is not compressed, the back still can be dropped

The base of the neck has to be centered and lifted

The shoulders have to be even and lifted

It’s been known for ages and somehow we are re inventing the wheel in all kinds of bizarre ways that don’t serve the horse.

Photo is one of my favorites of Egon Von Neindorff