Whether your horse is a pleasure, trail or show horse, the shape of his back determines his physical and mental ability to perform to his full potential. Commonly called “frame”, this spinal posture from his poll to his croup affects his ability to perform two very important functions:
1) support the rider’s weight,
2) drive energy forward from his hindquarters.
The frame is the shape that is created by his topline (the spine and muscles along his withers, back and loins) along with the position of his neck and head. The most desirable posture of the horse’s back is a slightly convex arc through the area that supports the weight of the saddle and rider (thoracic lumbar area). It is a chain of muscles in the horse’s neck, back, abdomen and hindquarters that work together and have the strength to lift the back to create this slight arc. The action of the hind legs reaching further under the body (engagement) forces the abdominal muscles to work harder and the back to lift. It is through this engagement of the hindquarters that stronger back, abdominal and hindquarters muscles are developed.
There are 5 different frames that horses take. In the list below, numbers 1-4 are natural frames that horses take on their own, and number 5 is only created by human interference.
1) Long & Low – the poll is lower than the withers
2) Level – the poll is level with the withers
3) High Headed with Lifted Back – also called being “on the bit” or “going round”
4) High Headed with Hollow Back – also called being “above the bit” or “inverted”
5) Round Poll with Hollow Back – also called being “behind the bit” or going “behind the vertical”
The first 3 frames (Long and Low, Level, and High Headed with Lifted Back) are the most beneficial for the horse and for working with your horse.
The 4th frame High Headed with Hollow Back), while a natural shape, is a posture that creates stress in the lumbar thoracic area (where the saddle sits) and also creates the flow of adrenaline. This posture is generally used by one horse to intimidate another. Horses that spend a lot of time in this frame will develop sore back muscles. Any hollow backed frame limits his performance under saddle by creating physical and mental stress.
The last frame (Round Poll with Hollow Back) is the only shape that is fully man-made. The nose is pulled in behind the vertical and may even touch the chest. Training techniques that focus on the front end or the “head set” of the horse most often cause this posture. They typically apply pressure from the reins or gadgets (i.e. martingales, tie downs, side reins, draw reins, etc.) to bring the head and neck into the desired position. Some people see only a “beautiful” neck position. However, it is created through an incorrect and unhealthy posture with a hollow back, disengaged hindquarters and stressed, tense dorsal muscle chain (neck extensors, longisimus dorsi, gluteal and hamstring muscles). This frame is very harmful to the horse’s wellbeing as it causes both physical and mental stress, resistance and imbalance in the horse. Over time, the physical stress results in deterioration of muscles and stress to joints which can cause chronic pain and lameness. This unnatural frame must be avoided.
Riding your horse in a good frame enhances his natural movement, and improves the strength and suppleness of his muscles.
Your horse’s frame of body affects his frame of mind. There is no separation of how he feels physically and mentally. If his body is being stressed and feels tense, then so is his mind. In order for your horse to work with you without resistance, his body must be relaxed, supple and without pain. So, a good frame is just as essential for your horse’s mental health as it is for his physical well being.