Forward-downward riding

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Under forward downshift an attitude of is horse understood when it assumes a relaxed posture elongation in the top line. The horse's neck curves downward as an extension of the back line , the horse continues to swing towards the hand. The forehead line of the horse comes a little further in front of the vertical. The nostrils should never be lower on the ground than at the level of the bow joint ; so the foremost point of the chest seen from the side ("diving position" according to Egon von Neindorff ).

Horses are mainly ridden forwards and downwards at the beginning or at the end of a training session in order to warm them up or to relax after their work. This position is very healthy for the horse.

Young horses should also often be ridden forwards and downwards, as this enables them to keep their balance better and to develop the back muscles required to carry a rider.

Dangers of the forward-downward direction

Erich Kotzab, On the Assembly of the Horse, page 45 writes: It is always postulated that working forward-downward would be beneficial for the back muscles. However, some horses can no longer find the correct erection afterwards. So one cannot remember often enough that working forward-downward carries the risk of bringing the vortices closer together. This creates an increased risk of the vertebral compression described above.

Definition according to HDV 12/37

Page 146f: The horse must walk with the neck stretched forward, the ridge line slightly arched upwards, and the forward-downward nose, completely relaxed and must not step in a hurry.

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