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Dr. Thomas Ritter demonstrates the Piaffe in Hand with the Lipizzan Mare, Electa, during a November 2008 clinic in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Shana Ritter. |
Dr. Thomas Ritter and the Lipizzan Stallion, Maestoso II Shama II, demonstrate a Trot Halfpass at the Longrein. October 2008. Photo by Shana Ritter. |
Dr. Thomas Ritter and the Lipizzan Stallion, Maestoso II Catrina. Piaffe in Hand. October 2008. Photo by Shana Ritter. |
The Lipizzan Mare, Impala. Photo by Shana Ritter. |
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The Dressage Blog
February 11, 2009
Conformation and Posture
©Thomas Ritter 2009
In Philippe Karl’s latest book, “Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage”, there are two very interesting pictures on p. 62 (left photo below) and p. 63 (right photo below) of two horses in the piaffe. The horse on p. 62 (left) has a very big, muscular neck that is a little short at the top, in the poll area. The horse on p. 63 (right) has a neck that is also wide and deep at the base, but longer and thinner at the top. Both horses perform exemplary piaffes with good impulsion and in uphill balance. The horse on p. 62, whose neck is shorter and still rather thick at the top is quite a bit in front of the vertical with his nose. The horse on p. 63 (right) carries his head much closer to the vertical. Both show a similar degree of elevation of the neck and tucking of the pelvis. But the difference in length and shape of the neck and poll leads to a difference in head position. This is important to understand, otherwise one may incorrectly conclude that the horse on p. 62 (left) is above the bit.
The reality is that the horse with the short, thick poll/throat latch area is physically unable to bring his head any closer to the vertical with this degree of elevation and flexion of the haunches. The only way to bring his nose closer to the vertical, is to lower the entire neck, which would also result in a lower degree of collection, i.e. flexion of the haunches. The balance and the piaffe would consequently suffer. The rider is forced to make a choice: More collection and elevation and less poll flexion, or more poll flexion and less collection and elevation. It’s not possible to have both with this particular horse. The horse on p. 63 has a better neck. That’s why it is possible to give him both elevation AND poll flexion.
To widen the perspective: A higher degree of collection means greater tucking of the horse’s pelvis, more lifting of the withers, and more elevation of the neck. The higher the elevation of the neck becomes, the longer the neck needs to be and the thinner it has to be at the top, in order to be able to keep the nose close to the vertical. Horses with short, fleshy necks and short, thick poll/throat latch areas are limited as to how much they can elevate their necks, before their conformation forces them to come above the bit. In other words, they are limited as to how much collection they are able to achieve. In the selection of FEI prospects that needs to be taken into consideration. Horses with long necks that taper off at the top are physically able to elevate their necks more AND stay on the bit than horses with shorter, thicker necks. When the throat latch area is very fleshy, suppleness will always be an issue. Longer, thinner necks, on the other hand, can sometimes be more challenging to stabilize at their base and to connect to the shoulder.
Thomas Ritter
Previous Entries
February 11, 2009:
Conformation and Posture
February 08, 2009:
Westphalen Memorial Competition c. 1912 Follow-up
February 06, 2009:
Work Space
February 04, 2009:
Narrowest Track Follow-Up
February 03, 2009:
The Principle of the Narrowest Possible Track
January 31, 2009:
Westphalen Memorial
January 30, 2009:
Turn on the Forehand Follow-Up 3
January 29, 2009:
Turn on the Forehand Follow-Up 2
January 28, 2009:
Turn on the Forehand Follow-Up 1
January 26, 2009:
Tao Te Ching (64)
January 24, 2009:
Turn on the Forehand in Motion
January 22, 2009:
Accepting the Bit
January 20, 2009:
Reclaiming Classical Dressage
January 18, 2009:
Welcome!
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