Seven Hills Training

10/06/2025

09/22/2025

Your horse’s neck does so much more than hold the head. 🐴 It’s directly tied to how the back moves, how the forelimbs swing, and even how balanced every stride feels.

Here’s why ⬇️
🔹 The cervical spine connects with powerful muscles like the brachiocephalicus, trapezius, and thoracic sling. These don’t just move the neck — they stabilize the shoulder and swing the forelimbs forward.
🔹 When the neck lowers and extends, the nuchal ligament stretches and transfers tension to the supraspinous ligament, helping lift the back. That lift creates more swing, engagement, and freedom through the topline.
🔹 But when the neck is restricted, the back can’t rise freely. The result? Hollow topline, shorter stride, and more weight dumped on the forehand.

📊 Research shows that up to 72% of horses with neck restrictions also show back pain or abnormal posture. Another study found that horses with cervical dysfunction had significantly reduced stride length and thoracolumbar flexion compared to sound horses.

Now here’s where things go wrong: when the head and neck are forced into hyperflexion (also called “rollkur”), the natural mechanics you just read about are disrupted. Studies show hyperflexion:
❌ Shortens stride length and disrupts natural balance
❌ Increases stress markers (conflict behaviors, higher heart rate, elevated cortisol)
❌ Compresses the upper airway, reducing airflow and even causing “air hunger”
❌ Places excessive strain on the nuchal ligament, cervical joints, and soft tissues, increasing the risk of bursitis, tissue damage, and long-term musculoskeletal problems.

A systematic review of 58 studies concluded that 75% found hyperflexion negatively impacts welfare — and whatever tiny “performance benefits” exist are outweighed by the risks.

👉 Takeaway: Unlocking freedom in the neck = unlocking the whole horse. Encouraging horses to lower their heads naturally builds engagement, posture, and soundness. Forcing the neck into hyperflexion doesn’t improve performance — it compromises comfort, health, and welfare. 💙

08/16/2025

Have you noticed the change?

08/12/2025

Every single time 🤓

08/11/2025

Great information for our metabolic horses!

We suggest these websites and books to deepen your understand of Insulin Resistance, Cushing's, and the laminitis that often accompanies metabolic conditions.

07/25/2025

Bend vs. Flexion — and Why It Matters for Your Horse’s Neck Health

Let’s talk biomechanics for a second — especially when it comes to the base of the neck and how we ride.

Bend comes from the ribcage — it’s a whole-body curve where the spine, barrel, and hind end all follow the same arc.

Flexion, on the other hand, comes from the neck — and when it’s overused or isolated, it can actually work against proper bend and cause all kinds of issues.

Have you seen your horse struggle with:
* Difficulty bending one direction
* Lack of straightness
* “Rein lameness” or hopping
* Uneven muscle development (especially in the neck and shoulders)
* Resistance to contact or connection
* Bracing or tightness at the base of the neck?

These are signs your horse might be compensating for discomfort or dysfunction — and that the way we approach bend and balance really matters.

Over time, over-flexing the neck (especially without true ribcage bend) can put a lot of strain on the lower cervical spine. It’s not just about where the nose goes — it’s about how the whole body.

Want to help your horse?
Think less headset, more body BALANCE. Encourage soft, whole-body bend starting from the hind legs, build straightness through the core, and keep the base of the neck long, lifted, and free.

Your horse will thank you for it. ❤️

07/24/2025

07/17/2025

Dr. Workman treated 171 Lumbosacral joints in the past 12 months. Why? Because it is one of the most problematic junctions in the equine spine- both clinically and also on necropsy results.

The lumbosacral joint is the main point of flexion and extension of the pelvis. This is the spinal section responsible for pelvic flexion and hind limb engagement (NOT the sacroiliac joints or ligaments). This major site of flexion has a central spinal disc section, associated articular facets, intervertebral foramen and the intertransverse joints between L6 and S1. It is mainly flexed through the hypaxial muscles- particularly psoas major. Some studies show alterations to the anatomy between the lumbar spine and sacrum at 30-33%. This means 30% of horses have an underlying structural issue that will cause complications to their ability to flex their pelvis (engage hind end). This structural defect will likely lead to not only lower-level performance but also higher rates of degeneration (arthritis, joint erosion, foramen narrowing, nerve impingement - PAIN).

That is why we treat so many lumbosacral joints and far fewer sacroiliac joints. Clinical exam and detailed ultrasounds can help us determine if this region is problematic in your horses.