Understanding Collection

Introduction

It involves the horse engaging its hindquarters, lifting its forehand, and moving with increased lightness and suppleness.

In contrast, hyperflexion and riding without collection can have adverse effects on the horse’s performance and well-being.

This article explores the concepts of collection, hyperflexion, and the absence of collection, providing insights into their benefits, challenges, and training techniques.

What is Collection?

Collection is the state in which a horse carries more weight on its hindquarters, lightens its forehand, and moves with increased engagement, balance, and responsiveness. This training is characterized by a shorter, more elevated stride and a rounded frame.

While the horse shows a round neck, this is not an ideal example as the back is a little hollow (yellow line).

Here is a good example where the body has a round frame and engaged hindquarters.

Note: It’s not always easy to ask for a collected state like the example above, especially if you are starting out. Sometimes there are horses are not trained or just cannot get into a collected state yet. So, do not be too hard on yourselves.

Benefits of Proper Collection:

• Enhanced Balance for the horse’s weight is more evenly distributed, improving overall balance and reducing the risk of stumbling.
• Increased Strength and Suppleness as collection develops the horse’s hindquarters, promoting strength and flexibility.
• Improved Responsiveness for a collected horse is more attuned to the rider’s aids, allowing for precise and subtle communication.
• Elevated Performance during collection is essential for advanced movements in dressage and other equestrian disciplines.

Achieving Proper Collection:

• Engagement of Hindquarters by encouraging the horse to step under with its hind legs, carrying more weight behind.
• Elevation of Forehand by promoting lightness in the forehand by encouraging the horse to lift and round its frame.
• Balanced Aids by using a combination of seat, leg, and rein aids to maintain the horse’s balance and engagement.

Hyperflexion: Understanding the Controversy

Hyperflexion, also known as Rollkur, involves over-bending the horse’s neck so that the chin is drawn tightly toward the chest, often at the expense of proper collection.

This practice is highly controversial and widely regarded as abusive due to the physical and psychological harm it can cause to the horse.

Issues with Hyperflexion:

• Compromised Collection in Hyperflexion can interfere with true collection by restricting the horse’s natural movement and engagement.
• Breathing Restriction during this unnatural position can restrict the horse’s airway, making it difficult for the animal to breathe properly.
• Stress and Discomfort in Hyperflexion causes significant stress and discomfort, both physically and mentally.
• Physical Damage when Long-term use of hyperflexion can lead to muscle strain, joint issues, and spinal damage.

Avoiding Hyperflexion:

• Natural Position by focusing on achieving a natural, relaxed head and neck position for the horse.
• Correct Training Techniques by using appropriate training methods and avoid shortcuts that force the horse into an unnatural posture.
• Prioritize Welfare by always consider the horse’s comfort and well-being in training and riding practices.

Riding Without Collection

Riding without collection means the horse moves in a more extended frame, with less engagement of the hindquarters and a lower head and neck position.

While this is acceptable in certain situations, such as warming up or cooling down, a lack of collection can indicate insufficient training or physical limitations.

Challenges of Riding Without Collection:

• Reduced Balance when without collection, the horse’s weight is less evenly distributed, increasing the risk of imbalance and stumbling.
• Decreased Responsiveness for a horse lacking collection may be less attuned to the rider’s aids, resulting in delayed or inaccurate responses.
• Lower Performance Level of certain advanced movements and exercises require collection for proper execution, making them more difficult without it.

Encouraging Collection from an Uncollected State:

• Transition Exercises by use transitions between gaits and within gaits to encourage the horse to engage its hindquarters and lift its forehand.
• Lateral Work by incorporate lateral movements like leg yields, shoulder-in, and haunches-in to promote engagement and suppleness.
• Balanced Aids by focusing on using balanced seat, leg, and rein aids to guide the horse into a more collected frame.

Conclusion

Understanding and correctly applying the concepts of collection, hyperflexion, and riding without collection are crucial for the health, performance, and well-being of the horse.

Proper collection enhances balance, strength, and responsiveness, while avoiding hyperflexion and addressing a lack of collection ensure the horse remains comfortable and injury-free.

Always prioritize the horse’s welfare in all training and riding practices to foster a harmonious and effective partnership.