Equi-note 24 What is rein pressure?   Rein pressure on a trotting racer   Minimum-2n maximum-44n   Note: left rein/red and right rein/blue show median rein tension in newtons/n. (1 kg/weight equals 9.8 N/force).There are approximately ±36 peaks in 12 seconds, or ±3 peaks per second. Source: “Associations between driving rein tensions and drivers’ reports of the behaviour and driveability of Standardbred trotters”; by Elke Hartmann, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 ..read more

Equi-note 23 Hyperflexion-rollkur-damages the horse's teeth Source: top photo: dianefollowell.com; middle photo: horseproblems.com.au; bottom photo: journal@hauteecole.ru.   Equi-note 23 Hyperflexion-rollkur-damages the horse’s teeth This is a difficult issue to try and pin exclusively on the rollkur problem. This is because tight nosebands, ill-fitting tack and hard hands are also identified with other forms of riding. However, certain apects are common to all mouth and bit problems. These are hard hands, short tight reins, unstable contact with the mouth (i.e. sharp pulls) and tig ..read more

Equi-note 22 Hyperflexion-rollkur damages the horse's visibility Source: photo on left El Sevier, wp: photo on right Captive Animals Protection Society; wp Equi-note 22 Hyperflexion-rollkur damages the horse’s visibility In the two top images, on the left shows the visual field in front of a horse when allowed to carry its head naturally. On the right shows the blind area in front of a horse when it is over-bent. What does this mean in practical terms? The following photo shows what the horse sees in front of it when its nose is 90° to the ground. And even this does not come close to the ex ..read more

Equi-note 17 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because its airflow is blocked Head and neck in moderate extension (jowl angle 114°) Head and neck in moderate flexion (jowl angle 69°) Notes: 1. Ascending arrows indicate direction of movement of soft palate; descending arrows indicate collapse of roof of the throat. 2. Jowl angle shown is 69°; when nose is vertical to ground jowl angle is 45°, but even this is far less than during rollkur.   Normal vs deformed windpipe/trachea (Normal-nearly circular; deformed-elliptical and obstructed by intrusion of oesophagus) Source ..read more

Equi-note 15 Hyperflexion-rollkur causes extensive physical and mental damage Source: 1st photo: pi; 2nd & 3rd photos: nkc;  Equi-note 15   Hyperflexion-rollkur-causes extensive physical and mental damage   The previous posts have shown that hyperflexion-rollkur has a very long history. Even though it was not recognized as such. Any health issues which would have arisen were swamped by the needs, usually for cavalry and being battle prepared. Contemporary society and its different values has meant that concern is now given to the numerous prejudicial consequences on t ..read more

Equi-note 20 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because faster airflow is turbulent and abrasive Source: “Numerical simulation around a realistic generic car model with different rear profiles” by E. Guilmineau, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France, HAL Id: hal-01202486 Emmanuel.Guilmineau@ec-nantes.fr Jun 2014. open access   Equi-note 20 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because faster airflow is turbulent and abrasive The movement of fluids, including air, is very complex. It is affected by a wide range of factors including air pressure, temperature, visco ..read more

Equi-note 19 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because extra needed air gets caught in two key entrapment areas   Respiratory tract obstructions   Source: “Airflow mechanics in models of equine obstructive airway disease under conditions simulating exercise” by Warwick Bayly 1997; wp The authors provide the following comments on the above chart: “It shows that the nares, and the larynx were the sites of greatest resistance. Least resistance was found in the mid- and distal trachea. Reynolds numbers for the trachea increased with flow and rose from 28,000 to greate ..read more

Equi-note 13 Hyperflexion-rollkur-how did rollkur start? Horemheb tomb Saqqara Egypt 1332-1323 BCE Source: metmuseum.org. pd   Greek horseman 4th-3rd century BCE Source: metmuseum.org. pd   Persian Cavalry Achaemenian Period 515 BCE  Source: www.ancientart.as.ua.edu  Parthenon frieze 442-438 BCE Source: British Museum.org. cc   Xenophon cavalry training with draw reins Source: comitatus.net. wp   Equi-note 13   Hyperflexion-rollkur-how did rollkur start? The above images make it crystal clear that rolklur was one of the methods used to train horses o ..read more

Equi-note 18 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because faster airflow damages its throat Source: www.southernwater.co.uk;   Equi-note 18 Hyperflexion-rollkur-the horse is more conflictive because faster airflow damages its throat There are several problems arising from the higher speed of airflow. They include turbulence of the airflow and damage to the soft tissues of the palate. These are looked at next. “Chapter 4: Flow and Velocity” by Brian S. Freeman, MD, McGraw-Hill 2014, Anesthesiology Core Review: “The physics of flow underlies the behavior of all fluids. Liqu ..read more

Equi-note 16 Hyperflexion-rollkur increases the horse's conflict behaviour Source: photos #1 & #3: dressagehub; wp: photo #2: @SymbolsOfSaturn129; nkc Equi-note 16 Hyperflexion-rollkur increases the horse’s conflict behaviour How does this come about? To begin with forcing the horse’s head and neck into a contrived position causes stress. The horse reacts by showing its discomfort in a variety of ways. The following quotes reveal some further aspects. “Learned helplessness” by Dr. Ulrike Thiel, published in St. Georg magazine 2005: “Under Pressure-The body language of the horse revea ..read more