18/01/2025
According to our own dressage rules, behind the vertical should be marked down and considered a major fault in basic training. I believe this is the main reason I do not get asked to repeat judge. I refuse to reward this training. Yet other judges ignore it.
As a therapist I can feel and see the damage caused by this practice.
Why Is Riding Behind the Vertical Acceptable to So Many?
Understanding the implications of "behind the vertical" and hyperflexion is crucial for horse owners, trainers, and equine professionals committed to safeguarding equine welfare.
Behind the vertical describes a horse's head position where the nose is pulled inward beyond the perpendicular line to the ground.
Hyperflexion, or rollkur, involves an extreme over-flexion of the horse's neck, often achieved through aggressive force.
Both positions are frequently pursued to achieve a certain aesthetic or perceived control, but they can be detrimental to the horse's well-being.
The emphasis on achieving these head and neck positions has led to the widespread use of training aids such as draw reins and martingales.
Our own Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, a veterinarian and advocate for classical riding principles, emphasizes that true self-carriage cannot be achieved through force.
In his teachings, he underscores that forcing a horse into a particular head position using gadgets or harsh methods not only fails to promote self-carriage but actively prevents it.
Such practices can lead to physical issues, including musculoskeletal problems, and psychological stress, manifesting as resistance or behavioral problems.
Research indicates that training aids, especially when tightened excessively to force the horse behind the vertical, can result in negative consequences for the horse's welfare.
These include restricted airway function, increased stress responses, and the development of tension in the poll and neck regions.
The prevalence of focusing on head and neck position, often to the detriment of the horse's overall posture and movement, is a deeply embedded issue in most equestrian circles, and, sadly, can be seen at the top levels of equestrian sport.
This focus can lead to the normalization of using gadgets and forceful methods to achieve desired aesthetics, overshadowing the fundamental principles of balance, rhythm, and harmony between horse and rider.
This is why we constantly emphasize how imperative it is for all individuals involved in horse training and care to educate themselves about the implications of behind the vertical and hyperflexion.
Ethical horsemanship requires that we understand topics such as these, from the horse's perspective, not the human agenda.
In our December webinar, Dr. Eva Van Avermaet gave a comprehensive overview of the damages done by manipulating head and neck positions.
Learn more about why this is so important for horse welfare and skilled horsemanship at www.equitopiacenter.com
