> Dorsiflexed is the back rounded *up*...think maybe of a dolphin and its > *dorsal*fin - same root word. It (dorsiflexed) is also used to describe some > human physiology. It's not a new word - just maybe one not used much for > horses in the old days. > It is the opposite of ventroflexed. >Venter< is latin for stomach - so, > flexed toward the stomach. Sway back is (usually extreme) ventroflexion. > > Dorsiflexion is desirable in a trot (and in other gaits done in true > collection). *Some* ventroflexion is necessary for a horse to be able to do > the lateral gaits, like rack & pace. > > What Paul was describing is a poor trot (inverted/swayback/ventroflexed) - > hard on horse and rider! ;-P
I have been reading all the posts on this with interest since my Tivar has a very smooth pleasant trot but when he gets upset about anything up goes the head and its almost comical on a ride, there I will be and he will be just chugging along all smooth and here will come a horse passing and Tivar's head goes up, the ears go back, and I start bouncing--- DEFINITELY a connection. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
