What does the ideal outline look like?

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AnnaandStella

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Please can someone illustrate to me what a horse looks like when it's using its back correctly & is relaxed at the poll? Also, pictures of a horse heavy on the forehand???

This sounds ridiculous but so often when I see horses who are apparently working correctly, they look less flowing than when they're working "incorrectly".

Hope you can help!

Thanks very much!
 
it depends on the level of training, the more advanced the horse, the more engaged the hindlegs so the more the horse can come up in front = higher neck carriage.
if the back is working correctly, it comes up (i always think it is like sitting on top of a mushroom instead of sitting in a hammock!) and rounds behind the saddle.
random pics i grabbed from google:
http://www.dressagehorseinternational.com/for_sale_detail.asp?id=152
this horse looks light in front, you can see it stepping through and the fact that the forehand is light.
all the pics on this page
http://www.classicdressage.com/
are of horses working uphill too.
when they're on the forehand, they look as if they're going downhill. it is confusing though because they can be stretching forwards downwards with the head and neck but not on the forehand as long as the weight isn't forward, they aren't leaning on the rider's hands, and they are still up through the withers.
for instance, this horse
http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/tve/photos/010107nicoletough/6164coolingdown.jpg
is not on the forehand, and is using his back correctly.
i can't find any good pics of a horse going on the forehand, but it's unmistakeable, it looks as if they're going downhill when they're not!
if a horse is working correctly, it should still look flowing and effortless. have a look at Blue Hors Matine on youtube for a horse effortlessly working at high level.
hope that helps a bit.
 
No, in all those photos it's quite clear & obvious - i understand it there.

Actually the reason I;m asking is because you commented my girl needs to use her back more when you gave bitting advice based on this vid - http://youtube.com/watch?v=4e30v_VI1VQ

Just randomly searched on google - they're more like this kinda thing.
 
The horse is being slightly too 'held' into her outline. She isnt working in a consistant outline because she doesnt look to trust the hand and seek the contact forward.

There's much, much more to outline than the positioning of the head and neck. I'd say this horse needs lots of little flexions in walk to create true bend through the body and then needs to be ridden a bit more collected first to give it time to bring the hindleg under and then trust the contact enough to push forwards into it...
 
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