About low and round work, by Peteris Klavins, 2006.
Within the framework of the debates concerning certain Methods of Training at least disputed and of that one of the necessary clarification in the mind of the Lightness promoted by Allege-Ideal, it seemed to me useful to gather and to present some schematizations allowing to specify certain « equestrian terminologies » in regard to anatomical references clearly differenciated, as to illustrate in a practical way some functional comments relative to certain practices of gymnastical work of the horse.Indeed, and quite particularly as regards to the work said Low and Round, it seems that it reigns since a good many of years a big «VAGUENESS» as for the meaning attributed to it by such or such user of this terminology, this vagueness allowing maybe to some to connect in a discretely undue way some personal practices to certain «justifications biomechanicaly demonstrated» relative to a work of the horse «really low and round in its whole» and not only «round» at the level of its neck...
For my part, while a great number of riders associate by custom the concept of «LOW WORK» to exercises of the horse in overbending on an extension of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge as illustrated by the schema #6 of the following series of drawings there below, it would seem to me more adequate and more logical to reserve the use of this functional terminology of «LOW WORK» only to the exercises in lowering of the neck, the horse presenting an objective flexion of its Cervico-thoracic Hinge as illustrated on schemas #1, #3 and #5 of the same series. ( In practice, to give ouself a convenient reference, it is simple to observe if the location of the cervical joints C2-C3 is situated above or below the withers...)
For my part, while a great number of riders associate by custom the concept of «LOW WORK» to exercises of the horse in overbending on an extension of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge as illustrated by the schema #6 of the following series of drawings there below, it would seem to me more adequate and more logical to reserve the use of this functional terminology of «LOW WORK» only to the exercises in lowering of the neck, the horse presenting an objective flexion of its Cervico-thoracic Hinge as illustrated on schemas #1, #3 and #5 of the same series. ( In practice, to give ouself a convenient reference, it is simple to observe if the location of the cervical joints C2-C3 is situated above or below the withers...)
Naturally, if we compare the schemas #2 and #6, the head of the horse is «LOWER» in the second case than in the first one...,
but on a level of «biomechanical incidences», these one are very different, as we will see it later, if the horse finds itself placed
«Low» according to the schema #6, or really Low according to the schema #3.
but on a level of «biomechanical incidences», these one are very different, as we will see it later, if the horse finds itself placed
«Low» according to the schema #6, or really Low according to the schema #3.
Interest of the Low Work in Flexion of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge
On a level of functional anatomy , and quite particularly for the young horse in the beginning of its dressage, the interest of the work in Extension/Lowering of the neck, ( which, naturally, can be alternated with work phases in raising of the neck...), conceives itself easily by considering the particular role that the Nucheal Ligament of the horse can play.
Compound of a «Rope» and a «Lamina», this ligamentary structure of the neck is mainly stretched out between the 4th Thoracic Spineous Apophysis and the skull + the first two cervical vertebras as for the Rope of the Nucheal Ligament on one hand, as well as between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thoracic Spineous Apophysis and 2nd, 3rd and 4th cervical vertebras as for the Lamina of the Nucheal Ligament on the other hand. ( See schemas below )
Compound of a «Rope» and a «Lamina», this ligamentary structure of the neck is mainly stretched out between the 4th Thoracic Spineous Apophysis and the skull + the first two cervical vertebras as for the Rope of the Nucheal Ligament on one hand, as well as between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thoracic Spineous Apophysis and 2nd, 3rd and 4th cervical vertebras as for the Lamina of the Nucheal Ligament on the other hand. ( See schemas below )
During an Extension/Lowering of the neck, corresponding to a Flexion of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge, ( I ) , cervical vertebras having few natural mobility they enter from C2 to C6, the cervical column from C2 to C6 usually behaves as a «long bone» with a great «arm of lever», ( II ) , and the traction of the Nucheal Ligament on the Spineous Apophysis of the withers ( which can reach 30 cm at this level...) is going to verticalize« these Spineous Apophysis, inducing consequently a Raising/Flexion» of the Thoraco-Lumbar area, (behind the saddle), and therefore, a mechanical support of the whole «Thoraco-Lumbar Bridge». ( III )
If this effect of mechanical support of the back can help a young horse to adapt itself to take in care the weight of its rider without hollowing itself, and can participate to a favorable development of its abdominal musculature, it is to know also that the pulling in tension of the Nucheal Ligament during an Extension/Lowering of the neck is going to induce at the same time a pulling in tension of the Supra-Spineous Ligament, ( IV ) , which is going to stiffen by «locking» , in this really low working attitude, the Thoraco-Lumbar Hinge.
In the progress of the dressage of the horse, this «ligamentar locking» of the Thoraco-Lumbar Hinge in Extension/Lowering of the neck will can be «usefully used» during the requests of engagement of the hindquarters in this low attitude, these demands having then the «advantage» to concern especially the Flexion of the Lumbo-Sacral Hinge and hips, under reservations that the Ramener of the head on Extension/Lowering of the neck ( cf schema #3 ) would be non-exaggerated and obtained in hands descent in looseness, without constraints of forced low positioning, in brief, in Lightness...
A contrario, it seems of the most illusory to hope to obtain an equivalent engagement of the hindquarters on a Lowering of the neck associated to an Hyper Flexion of the head, ( cf schema #5 ) , because in this case of figure, it generally turns out to appear and to install itself a dorso-lumbar «muscular locking»associated to the «ligamentar locking» previously quoted, establishing then a global functional hindering of the hindquarters, hindering to the engagement which, itself, will not can be «spontaneously» resolved by a simple raising of the neck...
If this effect of mechanical support of the back can help a young horse to adapt itself to take in care the weight of its rider without hollowing itself, and can participate to a favorable development of its abdominal musculature, it is to know also that the pulling in tension of the Nucheal Ligament during an Extension/Lowering of the neck is going to induce at the same time a pulling in tension of the Supra-Spineous Ligament, ( IV ) , which is going to stiffen by «locking» , in this really low working attitude, the Thoraco-Lumbar Hinge.
In the progress of the dressage of the horse, this «ligamentar locking» of the Thoraco-Lumbar Hinge in Extension/Lowering of the neck will can be «usefully used» during the requests of engagement of the hindquarters in this low attitude, these demands having then the «advantage» to concern especially the Flexion of the Lumbo-Sacral Hinge and hips, under reservations that the Ramener of the head on Extension/Lowering of the neck ( cf schema #3 ) would be non-exaggerated and obtained in hands descent in looseness, without constraints of forced low positioning, in brief, in Lightness...
A contrario, it seems of the most illusory to hope to obtain an equivalent engagement of the hindquarters on a Lowering of the neck associated to an Hyper Flexion of the head, ( cf schema #5 ) , because in this case of figure, it generally turns out to appear and to install itself a dorso-lumbar «muscular locking»associated to the «ligamentar locking» previously quoted, establishing then a global functional hindering of the hindquarters, hindering to the engagement which, itself, will not can be «spontaneously» resolved by a simple raising of the neck...
And what about the « Work said Low and round »in hyper flexion of the head on an extension of the cervico-thoracic hinge ?
It is to note that to this qualification specified on an anatomical level corresponds the most great majority of attitudes in overbending observable on the photos which have recently arouse numerous reactions in the equestrian world, as those who illustrated a previous Editorial of the site of Allege-Ideal.
Further to the previous schema B representing the Nucheal Ligament on an Extension/Lowering of the neck, the schema C below offers the possibility of vizualising this one on an Extension of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge with hyper flexion of the head, as well of situating certain functional incidences ensuing, inevitably or possibly, from this particular attitude.
Further to the previous schema B representing the Nucheal Ligament on an Extension/Lowering of the neck, the schema C below offers the possibility of vizualising this one on an Extension of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge with hyper flexion of the head, as well of situating certain functional incidences ensuing, inevitably or possibly, from this particular attitude.
First of all, because of the non-pulling in global tension neither of the Rope nor of the Lamina of the Nucheal Ligament ( I ) in the Extension of the Cervico-Thoracic Hinge, it cannot happen there then an «effect of arm of lever» inducing a «verticalization» of the Thoracic Spineous Apophysis, «verticalization» which should generate a «mechanical support» of the back of the horse favoring the taking in care of the weight of the rider or favoring the work of its abdominal muscles in «short position»...
On the other hand, the hyper flexion of the head, when it is deliberately usually requested to the horse, is going to induce invitably, because of the natural limits of the amplitudes of mobility between the skull, the atlas and the axis, a forced cession of the cervical inter-vertebral joint C2-C3, ( II ), sometimes even of C3-C4, cession which can become permanent and thus can meet itself observable as the highest point of the neck even when the horse is not, momentaneously, subjected to an overbending.
Indeed, the hyper flexion of the head will be made itself also inevitably at the cost of a «focused stretching», mainly on the cranial extremity of the Rope of the Nucheal Ligament as well as on the C2 insertions extremity of the Lamina of the Nucheal Ligament, ( III ) , lengthening which, it understands itself easily when it is presented as above, can generate since the beginning multiple resistances, even at distance, or problems like tendinitis..., and which can quickly transformed itself in dystension of one partof the cranio-cervical extremity of the Nucheal Ligament...
In other respects, besides the risks of respiratory restrictions, it appears very frequently that one of the «non-wished induced effects» ensuing from the work said «Low and Round» in hyper flexion of the head on extension of the thoraco-cervical hinge, it is the settling of resistances by «stiffening» of the dorso-lumbar musculature, ( IV ) , hindering at least in a consequent way the engagement of the hindquarters and the possibility of reaching to an optimal Collection...
In conclusion of this summary, what to say furthermore except that I hope that these anatomical and functional simplifications will contribute favorably to the opportune evolution of certain practices of training maybe insufficiently documented in the past with regard to their anatomical and functional foundations.
On the other hand, the hyper flexion of the head, when it is deliberately usually requested to the horse, is going to induce invitably, because of the natural limits of the amplitudes of mobility between the skull, the atlas and the axis, a forced cession of the cervical inter-vertebral joint C2-C3, ( II ), sometimes even of C3-C4, cession which can become permanent and thus can meet itself observable as the highest point of the neck even when the horse is not, momentaneously, subjected to an overbending.
Indeed, the hyper flexion of the head will be made itself also inevitably at the cost of a «focused stretching», mainly on the cranial extremity of the Rope of the Nucheal Ligament as well as on the C2 insertions extremity of the Lamina of the Nucheal Ligament, ( III ) , lengthening which, it understands itself easily when it is presented as above, can generate since the beginning multiple resistances, even at distance, or problems like tendinitis..., and which can quickly transformed itself in dystension of one partof the cranio-cervical extremity of the Nucheal Ligament...
In other respects, besides the risks of respiratory restrictions, it appears very frequently that one of the «non-wished induced effects» ensuing from the work said «Low and Round» in hyper flexion of the head on extension of the thoraco-cervical hinge, it is the settling of resistances by «stiffening» of the dorso-lumbar musculature, ( IV ) , hindering at least in a consequent way the engagement of the hindquarters and the possibility of reaching to an optimal Collection...
In conclusion of this summary, what to say furthermore except that I hope that these anatomical and functional simplifications will contribute favorably to the opportune evolution of certain practices of training maybe insufficiently documented in the past with regard to their anatomical and functional foundations.