In 1995 Petche et al. conducted a study on the effects of head position on upper airway function in exercising horses.
“In resting horses, the air entering the upper airway must turn approximately 90º to flow from the nasal passage into the trachea. That change in direction of airflow contributes to the work of breathing. During exercise, the effort needed to change airflow direction is reduced by straightening of the upper airway.
Straightening not only allows air a more direct route to and from the lung, it also tends to stretch and stiffen upper airway tissues, making them more rigid and more resistant to collapse.”
Dressage damage
This study demonstrated for the first time that head and neck position affects upper airway mechanics in exercising horses.
Rollkur: The above has been reprinted with permission of Horses For LIFE Publications.
I find the experiential learning process, is a profound and sustaining method of Education for both humans and horses. Perhaps those who use Rolkur (and other coercive methods) would get to ‘know’ what they were doing if they were to experience such equipment on themselves. If I just over tilt my head without any pressure of external force, I find it hard to breath and it is uncomfortalble. As a martial arts teacher, I challenge any professional horse person who believes in hyper extension, to try any very very basic beginners martial arts, yoga, Tai Chi or dance, with their head tilted forward in hyper extension. You can get to feel how harder it is hard to move, see or breath when you are on all fours. This is something we teach beginner riders in our horse training programmes!
It is curious, when there are so many progressive professional horsemen and women graciously working in partnership with their willing horses – how others seem to be unaware that there are successful alternatives (which are easier and faster) than training with force and control.
More education and public awareness and is needed to encourage the changes that are needed. Thank you to all those that have worked to publish this site and bring the UTube image to our attention. Thank You Marc
I teach experiential learning programmes and I find the experiential learning process, is a profound and sustaining method of Education for both humans and horses. Perhaps those who use Rolkur (and other coercive methods) would get to ‘know’ what they were doing if they were to experience such equipment on themselves. If I just over tilt my head without any pressure of external force, I find it hard to breath and it is uncomfortalble. As a martial arts teacher, I challenge any professional horse person who believes in hyper extension, to try any very very basic beginners martial arts, yoga, Tai Chi or dance, with their head tilted forward in hyper extension. You can get to feel how harder it is hard to move, see or breath when you are on all fours. This is something we teach beginner riders in our horse training programmes!
It is curious, when there are so many progressive professional horsemen and women graciously working in partnership with their willing horses – how others seem to be unaware that there are successful alternatives (which are easier and faster) than training with force and control.
More education and public awareness and is needed to encourage the changes that are needed. Thank you to all those that have worked to publish this site and bring the UTube image to our attention. Thank You Marc
There is overwhelming evidence of horsemanship that gets the same results and finish with out the barbaric use of Rolkur. It is a poor reflection of ALL professional equine bodies who condone (by not banning) this equipment, and they are clearly not understanding the value of ‘good’ horsemanship if they allow competitors to rely on intimidation to get their horses cooperation. It is interesting to note and delineate, what a truly talented and professional horse person can achieve, with out the use of such equipment.
Are dressage riders being made aware of these studies? Where and how — besides on this site? Shouldn’t the dressage associations make this info available? Are they?
why doesn’t someone tell these idiots that anything beyond the vertical is a riding fault…if the judges were strict this sort of thing wouldn’t happen…no serious dressage rider would do this…it is only ignorance and stupidity
and take away curb bridles they are supposed to give precision, not be an instrument of brute force
YUK
On top of over flexing, add a tight nose band and you can really reduce a horse’s ability breath, not to mention fracturing its nose, teeth and jaw. I spend much of my time as an equine behaviorist loosening nose bands and getting necks to relax –by allowing horses to breath and see, their stress is reduced and they are not so likely to have behavioral issues. Gee, you’d think humans would have more “horse sense”. But so many people believe what they are told even though it goes against their better thinking.
How can any instructor/coach not have told this person he cannot ride? I am in awe of this wondeful forgiving horse. I pray that it finds a new loving and capable owner.