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TheHorse.com THE HORSE August 2015
also exert significant pressure on the poll
and the chin, and a shank's lever effect
multiplies these forces.
Our efforts to shape the neck to create
a "round" look can either build strength
or predispose a horse to injury, depend-
ing on our method, Clayton says. We
should aim for a look that complements
the neck's natural curves without exag-
gerating them. "There are two curves
in the neck—one near the poll, which is
concave on the underside, and one near
the base, which is concave on the upper
side," she says. "It's at these curves that
the neck is designed to have most of its
movements. What we want to avoid is
exaggerating those two curvatures by
pulling the poll back and pulling the chin
in. Instead, we want to raise the base
of the neck and the ribcage and reach
forward over the topline of the neck, then
allow the poll to relax and the head to
hang vertically."
If we succeed in doing that, we develop
the topline muscles that give the horse
better gymnastic ability and strength
under saddle. But if we do it the wrong
way, degenerative arthritis in the cervi-
cal (neck) spine can eventually develop.
"Neck position when we're riding and
what we do with a horse's neck when
we're on his back affects the likelihood of
developing arthritic changes," she says.
Asymmetry
We're left-handed or right-handed and
very rarely ambidextrous. This kind of
natural laterality means we're going to
have asymmetrical effects on our mounts.
Clayton says this can cause riders to sit
unevenly in the saddle, putting more
SPORTS MEDICINE
L t
She swallowed hard as they walked into the start box.
She could feel his muscles tense under her leg.
"Five, four, three, two, one… have a great ride."
She didn't have to ask; he galloped out of the box
and across the f eld toward their f rst training
level course. His ears pricked; her heart pounded.
He attacked each obstacle with conf dence,
clearing them with room to spare. A huge smile
broke out on her face as she crossed through the
f nish f ags. She leaned forward and buried her face in
his neck. T eir bond of love and trust blocked out all else.
TH
2015-08a
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Riders aiming for a "round" look should do so in a way that complements the equine neck's natural
curves without exaggerating them.
ERICA
LARSON