Observing changes in the neck
The neck is one of the areas where changes start to show early. This is why observing the neck regularly can give us a lot of feedback on how our training is going. Here is what to look for.
A nicely developed neck.
The neck is one area that can change quite quickly in response to training, which makes it a great spot to observe when looking for clues on whether the training is going well or not. The horse uses his neck for balance during movement and its functioning is tightly connected to the functioning of the thoracic sling. If the thoracic sling is dysfunctional, the neck will have a very hard time developing properly.
When observing changes in the neck, we need to pay attention to its overall shape, as well as the development of individual muscles. If the training is correct, the horse's neck will start to appear longer, and it will form a lovely arch. The upper line of the neck will appear longer than the lower one and the transition between the withers to the neck will be smooth. The arch of the neck will become even more pronounced when the horse is moving.
In terms of individual muscles, the goal is for the neck to look like it's made up of one continuous muscle. This can take a while to achieve, but the general rule is we don't want any one muscle to appear too pronounced. Two areas we need to keep a close eye on are the poll muscles and the brachiocephalicus. The poll muscles tend to get bulky when the horse is ridden with too much rein pressure or when his head is forced into a certain frame. (They can also become bulky in response to a poll injury from a pull back, so it's not always the training that is at fault.) The brachicephalicus, the lower neck muscle, will become bigger and more obvious when the horse uses it to pull the front legs forward. This happens when the thoracic sling is not working properly and the range of motion of the front leg is reduced.
So, when comparing last year's photo with this year's, make a note of how the neck looks overall as well as how the individual muscles have developed. If you don' like what you see, take a closer look at the training. Does the horse feel heavy in your hand? Are you focusing too much on where his head and neck should be? If you let the horse move freely, without you influencing his head position, how does he choose to carry his head and neck? Does he choose a high head position? If that's the case, there is something in his body that's preventing him from moving in a relaxed posture. Maybe you need to work on strengthening the thoracic sling. Maybe he is struggling with hoof imbalance. Maybe the saddle needs to be checked. If you are unsure about where to start, consult a professional. These things can be tricky, so getting all the help you can will make the journey easier.