Dressage Physiology: Uphill Part 1

In the following articles I will focus on horse physiology to explain form and function of body types in regards to dressage. This will, hopefully, dispel myths about movement and breeds. In these articles I will discuss the basic concepts of classical dressage and discuss myths surrounding the heavy horse or, as some prefer to call them, the draft horse.

There has been much discussion whether a horse should be determined to be uphill by looking at how the (1) seventh cervical vertebrae connects to the spine or should a horse be diagnosed as uphill solely by (2) drawing a line from the top of the withers through to the top of the hip. It should be emphasized that the (3) slope on to the fore has to be considered as well to get the full picture.

Method 1
Connection of the cervical vertebrae to the spine
In the first image of an Arabian horse skeleton, a red line is drawn to show the spine and a purple arrow indicates the seventh cervical vertebrae (the vertebrae that connects the neck to the spine). Notice that with the Arabian skeleton and the Clydesdale skeleton the spine runs strait on to the seventh cervical vertebrae. Now compare the Arabian and Clydesdale to the Thoroughbred. With the Thoroughbred the seventh cervical vertebrae is below the line of the spine. This indicates that the natural build of the Thoroughbred leans forward and places more weight on to the fore. The purpose of the Thoroughbred's lean on to the fore is to place more weight on the front allowing for a more powerful take off while running (see image below).
Other horses who do not have the heavy fore of the thoroughbred will not dip down and dig into the ground during running.
The Spanish horse, in the above image, is shown at the same phase of the stride. In comparison to the Thoroughbred, the Spanish barely dips down. This is a desirable trait in a dressage horse, but not on in a race horse.

When the seventh cervical vertebrae connects straight to the spine the result is a horse with a high stet neck. The high set neck more desirable for dressage horse as it lightens the fore and makes collection easier. Horses with a high set neck are cobs, Spanish horses, Classical horse, Baroque horses, Medieval horses, Heavy horses, Morgans, Saddlebreds etc.



The Warmblood is unusual for a Thoroughbred based breed in that some possess a high set neck.