soloequestrian
Well-Known Member
I have something specific in mind but also interested in general thoughts on this!
My project horse has a back shape at the dipped end of the spectrum. I would post a picture if I were less technically incompetent. He isn't extreme, just slightly dipped. He tends to move with his back legs slightly disengaged and his head up, for instance when he is startled out in the field. He wasn't ridden for several years before I got him, and before he was turned away he had a saddle that really didn't fit him. He has been in work for about 6 months with me. His go-to response when ridden was to hollow and tense his neck at the withers ('ears up my nose'). We are gradually reducing that - he is getting much better at working with his head low and neck extended. The thing that has got me thinking about conformation though is that this week I tried some back lifts with him. I've never managed to do these with other horses, but he has an itchy spot on his sternum and when I itch it and push up he does a huge back lift, with his abdominal muscled really contracting and his back flattening out. He seems to enjoy doing the lift (or enjoys the scratch and doesn't mind the lift, not sure which). The point of the ramble is I'm wondering with time if his back shape might become less dipped. I know his abdominals can improve a lot and that should improve his conformation in itself but will it also make him less hollow over time? He also has a dip in front of the wither which I'm hoping will improve as his way of going improves.
I suppose the discussion point is how much the relatively short time spent being ridden can influence general conformation and movement the rest of the time? I don't know if he has always had this type of conformation and movement that has meant his training was difficult, or whether better training might have prevented it happening....and might still manage to improve it.... possibly improve it beyond what might have been if he'd never been ridden.... or if having had two years off ridden work means that his current conformation is how he is, with no influence from riding. Hope that makes sense!
My project horse has a back shape at the dipped end of the spectrum. I would post a picture if I were less technically incompetent. He isn't extreme, just slightly dipped. He tends to move with his back legs slightly disengaged and his head up, for instance when he is startled out in the field. He wasn't ridden for several years before I got him, and before he was turned away he had a saddle that really didn't fit him. He has been in work for about 6 months with me. His go-to response when ridden was to hollow and tense his neck at the withers ('ears up my nose'). We are gradually reducing that - he is getting much better at working with his head low and neck extended. The thing that has got me thinking about conformation though is that this week I tried some back lifts with him. I've never managed to do these with other horses, but he has an itchy spot on his sternum and when I itch it and push up he does a huge back lift, with his abdominal muscled really contracting and his back flattening out. He seems to enjoy doing the lift (or enjoys the scratch and doesn't mind the lift, not sure which). The point of the ramble is I'm wondering with time if his back shape might become less dipped. I know his abdominals can improve a lot and that should improve his conformation in itself but will it also make him less hollow over time? He also has a dip in front of the wither which I'm hoping will improve as his way of going improves.
I suppose the discussion point is how much the relatively short time spent being ridden can influence general conformation and movement the rest of the time? I don't know if he has always had this type of conformation and movement that has meant his training was difficult, or whether better training might have prevented it happening....and might still manage to improve it.... possibly improve it beyond what might have been if he'd never been ridden.... or if having had two years off ridden work means that his current conformation is how he is, with no influence from riding. Hope that makes sense!
