Cobblestone Manor & Equine Centre

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Spinal Pressure. We work so hard to ensure that the saddle never sits on the spine, yet are ready and willing to put downwards pressure on it with lunging devi...ces, all to somehow encourage LIFTING of the back. I'm not sure about you, but it doesn't seem to make any logical sense. Put downwards pressure to encourage upwards engagement and lift. One of the devices we're talking about is the rope that connects to the bit, goes between the front legs and loops over the back. Not only does this device create pressure DIRECTLY on the spine, but also friction as the horse moves. The dropping of the back away from pressure isn't a conscious act, but a reaction, the horse doesn't stop and think "I feel pressure, I must move away from it" they just simply do it. Nothing you do will prevent it (other than removing the source of pressure). The obsession with head set has filled the market with gadgets and tools that create a false frame (go back to our post talking about what is and isn't roundness, collection and frame) with zero consideration for the rest of the horse. The device claims: "This training system encourages the horse to stretch forward and down, releasing tension and helping to build muscles over the back." However, it does the opposite. It has unforgiving tension on the bit with zero feel for the mouth while forcing the head down and preventing it from being used to rebalance, pressure on the spine creating hollowness and absolutely nothing to encourage the lift and engagement that it promises. There is the lunging system that has bands running from bit to butt and all over, but that is for another day, but again, promises to create something that cannot be achieved with the use of the device. As stated in a previous post, many people don't know what proper movement, development or collection looks or feels like. Half the battle is educating yourself on what is healthy, not what people consider pretty. When doing anything with horses, be logical. Want the back up? Don't press on the spine. Want the horse moving into contact? Don't yank the reins back. The second and third photos are from https://www.facebook.com/linda.thilqvist. Check out her website and Facebook page for inspiration and guidance on how to lunge and ride for health and longevity. http://nobackpain.dk/en/ Thank you Linda for letting us use your pics :)

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