Quiet Riding

Horses and Riders Working in Harmony


Horses in the Fog

Neck Position

[As additional resources, links to book reviews and book purchasing information can be found beneath the quotations when this information is available.]

"Certain authors have thought it right to systematically lower the neck, than which there is no better means of ruinng a horse!"

James Fillis, Breaking and Riding
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"The neck of today's horse rounds itself; that is, it creates this desired outline naturally, even though the horse lacks balance and hasn't yet developed the body to maintain this neck position."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"Even slight seat errors and clumsy hands cause the horse's neck to curl under and his back to stiffen, leading to a massive disruption in balance as is seen with the hover trot."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"The processus paracondylares (jugulares), which are two bony projectios that protrude an index finger's length from the base of the skull, stiffen the poll if the head is positioned too deeply with the nose behind the vertical. Therefore, correct positioning of the poll is only possible with an open poll angle."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"To pull the whole neck all the way sideways is fully counterproductive in many ways. The poll becomes stiff and the neck is 'torn loose' from the withers."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"A young horse ridden with a deep, long neck constantly behind the vertical (even slightly so) always falls on the forehand and cannot find his balance."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"It is true that it is not a big problem when a horse, usually one in retraining, now and then goes behind the vertical. But this position should not last long. As soon as the back relaxes, the correct head and neck position is automatic!"

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"With a narrow poll angle, the horse can only bend the whole neck to the side. In so doing, he breaks right in front of the withers."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"Every horse needs his neck long during the initial ground work phase and in the first training phases, in order to prevent damaging and unbearable back tension."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"Consistent forward riding will open the neck angle, and encourage acceptance of the bit."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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"An attempt to mechanically force a head/neck position always leads to defensive tension in the horse."

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, Balancing Act
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