"Broken" neck through draw rein use

[quirky]

Not wanting to start a debate and asking purely to further my knowledge.

Does anybody have any pictures, or a link, to horses who have been ridden in draw reins and have a "broken" neck.

Just curious really as I don't think I could look at a horse and and think "Hmm, that's been over done in the draw rein department".

 

[Kat]

The neck doesn't curve evently from wither to poll. It sort of goes straight then up and round to the poll.

 

[SpottedCat]

I'm not sure you could spot it in a picture - not over and above any other reason for them being over-bent.

What you can do is feel it - they tend to have a v 'dead' contact, be a bit numb in the corners of the mouth, not have terribly good flexion, lean on the contact, and drop behind the bit as an evasion. It is incredibly hard work getting them to lengthen the neck and take the contact forwards, as they are very secure in holding themselves in the 'draw-rein' position.

 

[Kat]

You can see the conformational defect known as a broken neck in a photo, but spotted cat is correct you are more likely to spot draw rein use through riding.

I used to ride a horse that had been schooled in draw reins a lot in his previous career and you couldn't see anything but it was clear when you rode him, he'd tuck his head in nicely and trail his quarters unless you were a really strong rider!

 

[splash30]

and furthering Katt's comment

''he'd tuck his head in nicely and trail his quarters unless you were a really strong rider!''

they normally have bigger necks and small bottoms

 

[siennamum]

There are good pictures in this thread
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php?Number=2485317

 

[quirky]

Thanks for those answers, I guess I'm none the wiser.

I only ride my youngster nowadays, so don't have the chance to ride other horses to be able to feel it, hence asking if I could tell by looking.

 

[quirky]

Thanks sienna

, I didn't think to do a search first

It explains it perfectly with that link from Halfstep

 

[NW1]

I may not be like for this picture but in my opinion this cob has a broken neck

http://2009equinationalhorsephotographygallery.fotopic.net/p61693841.html

 

[Munchkin]

When the curve of the horse's neck breaks, usually at the 3rd vertebrae. More frequently caused by being "fiddled down" rather than worked correctly up to the bridle.

http://www.sustainabledressage.com/rollkur/behind_the_vertical/behind_the_vertical_broken_at_3rd.png

 

[kerilli]

i can't find a pic, but it's very obvious, you see a definite angle at the third vertebra, as if it comes to a point. horrible.

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
When the curve of the horse's neck breaks, usually at the 3rd vertebrae. More frequently caused by being "fiddled down" rather than worked correctly up to the bridle.

http://www.sustainabledressage.com/rollkur/behind_the_vertical/behind_the_vertical_broken_at_3rd.png

[/ QUOTE ]

Was just about to post this link Munchkin - you beat me to it! Good illustration this one..!

 

[millimoo]

British Dressage Magazin did an article on this a couple of months ago.
Give them a call to see if they can send you a back issue, or content as they had diagrams - alas I can't find my copy