It used to make me laugh to see images in which the level of the horse was so skewed as to present such a pleasing image, when the reality was a far cry from such pleasantness. Now I don’t laugh about it but rather shake my head. Why? Because you are allowed a certain amount of ignorance in life and in horses, but when you become a teacher, an expert, a so called “Master” then that ignorance is no longer justifiable.
Found at 
Dana Hewett Dressage.
What function does it serve to eliminate the horse’s natural ability to balance himself and move in true collection? Isn’t that the ultimate goal that dressage strives for? It is all too painfully obvious in some cases just how close some trainers and riders in the US come to the habits which are well set in Dutch states.
This horse clearly shows that his breeding will help to dissuade onlookers from finding fault. He is a beautiful mover, even with the side-reins so short that he cannot use his neck for balance, nor position it in a way that allows his hindquarters to come underneath to support him – thus forcing him onto the forehand.
Hyperflexion Alert!A brief break from Overflexion and Rollkur posts to bring you this beautiful image showing the stallion Romadour II in a brilliant extended trot, made possible because of his neck’s freedom.
