Over the back/ connected/ on the bit – A biomechanical explanation
I would like to explain why a connection over the back is so important, and what it really means using my knowledge of biomechanics, and my years of experience as an equine vet and a rider.
The biomechanical explanation of connection is when the thrust from the hindlimbs travels uninterrupted over a supple back to reach the independent forehand. This gives the rider a consistent, elastic rein contact and a means to control the hindquarters. This requires the development of elastic tension in the muscles of the topline. This refers to positive tension in the muscles, rather than weight in the reins.
In equestrian circles we often hear the words ‘working over the back’ ‘connected’ and ‘through’. These terms are vague and often poorly explained by instructors. Many people do not understand exactly what this means, although they likely do realise that it is important. Unfortunately, a lot of people equate working over the back to the head being down, and the neck round, at all costs, and in their attempt to achieve an attractive headset, they destroy their chances of achieving a true connection over the back.
A lot of riders complain of ‘contact’ issues, which they often try to remedy through saddle fitting, bitting, teeth, physio, chiro, diet etc. These things can play a part but very often the real issue here is a misunderstanding of the true meaning of ‘connection’
The requirements of a true connection are an active hind end, strength in the postural muscles of the back and neck, and a supple long back muscle free from negative tension.
The riders seat needs to be supple enough not to hinder the raising of the back or cause tension in the long back muscle preventing it from functioning correctly, and must allow the rider to be able to drive the hindlimbs sufficiently, while not restricting the forward reach of the head and neck by balancing on the reins.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING CONNECTION
• RELAXATION AND THE ABILITY TO DRIVE
The first requirement is relaxation. The horse must be free from mental and physical tension and allow himself to be driven forward. When a horse is tense he will have negative tension in his back muscles which will impair the connection between the hindquarters and the forehand.
If the horse is stiff from the previous day’s work or anxious due to a new environment, the back muscles will be tense.
The process of warming up supples the muscles, removes stiffnesses and blockages and prepares the horse for work. As the horse relaxes and his muscles loosen up and are prepared for work he will exhale loudly and his tail will swing like a pendulum from side to side.
If the rider takes up the reins and demands a contact before the horse’s muscles have had time to warm up, they will likely be met with tension and resistance. The horse will either resist the rein contact and fight the bit, or drop behind the bit to avoid the contact completely. The horse is likely to take up a stronger contact on one rein, as his natural crookedness prevents the hindlimbs from travelling in the path of the forelimbs until he is relaxed and working over the back.
The horse must allow himself to be driven. If he is tense and rushing, he cannot be driven forward. Excitable or anxious horse that rush and escape the aids of the rider should be ridden on a small circle with as little tension on the reins as possible until they get bored and become lazy. Then the rider can start to drive them forward.
When the horse is relaxed, we drive him forward and encourage the horse to step more under his body with an active hindlimb. This exerts a pull on his back muscles and raises the back from behind. This will cause a natural reflex to maintain his balance by drawing the neck forwards and down.
In the early stages of training the horse must first learn to use his neck to help support the back so that the postural muscles of the back and the abdominal muscles can maintain an elastic state of tension.
As the upper neck muscles become stronger over time, the horse will be able to maintain his raised back posture with his neck in an elevated position, causing more weight to be shifted to the hindquarters.
When the horse is moving freely forward (pushed just slightly faster than he naturally wants to go to ensure sufficient activity in the hindlimbs, we ask him to flex on a circle. We use the inside aids (leg, seat and hand) and continue to drive forward on the circle until the horse reaches for and takes the outside rein. Until this connection is established by the horse, avoid use of outside rein, (just for emergency slowing down, and preventing excessive neck bend). As the inside hind is engaged under the body you will find a space for your seat, and it is then easy to use your seat to drive the horse forward into a connection on the outside rein.
The tension in the reins when the connection is established should be pleasant, as if you are holding hands with a child and being led somewhere rather than being dragged, and you shouldn’t feel to be holding the horse’s head in position, or supporting the weight of his head and neck with the reins. If the horse is invited to stretch his neck down more by taking and giving the outside rein he should follow the connection forward and down. The rider must continue to drive to avoid losing the connection.
• STRENGTH IN THE POSTURAL MUSCLES OF THE BACK AND NECK
The back and neck muscles involved in maintaining the required raised back posture provide the support that allows the movement muscles to transmit the thrust from the hindlegs to the forehand.
In order for a connection over back which allows the topline muscles to work in a supple way to transmit energy from the hindquarters to the bit, we need strength in the muscles responsible for holding the correct posture with the back in a raised position.
These muscles can hold tension for a long period of time when fully trained but this takes time. It takes 1-2 years to build up a horse’s topline and this should be done carefully. The process of building muscles is extremely painful as anyone who goes to the gym can attest to. Keep this in mind when training your horse. If he is very reluctant/ resistant to work after going well the previous days he may well be in a world of pain. It would be cruel and stupid to use a gadget to force the horse into an outline. He will likely submit to the gadget but will experience pain in the tired muscles and likely recruit the wrong muscles, most notably the underneck muscles leading to incorrect muscle development, and an incorrect way of going.