Over the week we discussed the first three signs of incorrect riding. The false bend, the disturbed coordination in the gaits, and the false collection.
But when you ride your horse in an incorrect way, the risk of injuries will also increase.
Neck injuries, especially in the lower cervical area (the circle in the picture), like arthrosis, can occur due to overextension when the head-neck is lifted without lifting the withers.
Your horse can have this problem even without you noticing it in the riding.
But very often you see symptoms like an unsteady connection, difficulties with bending, collecting, and even your horse being lame.
That’s why this is an important subject to discuss.
In the image above you can see the difference between a correct-going horse and a horse that is ridden in a false bend.
When a horse is trained the incorrect way, you have constant traction and subsequent locking of the lumbar back. This is because the head is constantly down, and not just pulling on the ligament with each step in a pulsating wave-like way.
If you work to do the same thing, but use the muscle force created behind (from the engagement of the hindlegs and collection), you will get an intermediate, pulsating intermittent lift with every step of the hindlegs. This way the massive muscles of the pelvis, croup, and thighs are much more effective in this quite heavy task.
In the video below will Morgan Lashley explain more about the risks of incorrect riding.
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