16/12/2025
“Behind the Vertical ( BTV ) … it is absolutely catastrophic for a horses body and causes a cascade of damage which is often irreversible.. seen at all levels of riding sadly , including high level competition.
Get yourself on video and see exactly how your horse is moving and carrying themselves .. educate yourself about how to change anything detrimental to their mind and body .. it really is the only way to have a healthy and sound horse into middle and old age . 🐎💕”
Looking at the dissection through a riding and training lens, one of the most impactful conversations centered around what riding a horse behind the vertical actually does to their body.
Before any anatomy was exposed, we ran a simple but sobering experiment. We compared the range of motion of the hind limb under different conditions: nothing on the head, a tight cavesson, a snaffle bit lifted into the corners of the lips, a snaffle bit creating direct pressure on the tongue and bars, and finally, a behind-the-vertical head position.
The results were immediate and undeniable.
Hind limb range of motion, especially extension, was significantly reduced with a tight cavesson and tongue/bar pressure and majorly restricted with a BTV posture. I’ve always known I don’t like what I feel in my hands or under my seat when a horse curls behind the vertical, but feeling that restriction echoed all the way back into the hind limb was heartbreaking.
What these horses will offer us, even at tremendous cost to their own bodies, is hard to comprehend.
When I released the leg, I felt a sudden rush of energy strong enough to give me goosebumps. Whether it was residual electrical charge in the nervous system or simply Royal’s presence underscoring the importance of the lesson, it was unmistakable. That moment stayed with me.
Later in the dissection, that felt experience was given anatomical context.
We spent time discussing the upper cervical spine and what happens structurally when a horse is consistently asked to work behind the vertical.
The occiput is the large bone forming the back of the horse's head, containing the foramen magnum (where the spinal cord exits) and the occipital condyles. These condyles rest in the concave surfaces (foveae) of the atlas (C1), forming the atlanto-occipital (AO) joint. This joint is where the brain transitions into the spinal cord, with multiple nerves exiting in close proximity, making it both vital and vulnerable.
The AO joint primarily allows flexion and extension of the head (think nodding yes) as well as a small amount of lateral bending. Many horses already lack full, clean translation of the occipital condyles within the atlas, meaning their range of motion here may be limited before training ever begins.
When a horse is asked to go behind the vertical, the mechanics shift dramatically. The neck curls, the poll ceases to be the highest point, and the second cervical vertebra (the axis) takes over.
This can be potentially dangerous because of the dens.
The dens is a prominent bony projection extending upward from C2 that fits into a specialized socket in C1, forming a pivot joint that allows rotation of the head and neck. Strong ligaments hold the dens securely against the atlas, protecting the spinal cord that runs just beneath it.
Repeated behind-the-vertical posture places strain on this system. Over time, those ligaments can become stressed or damaged, compromising the stability of a joint that exists mere millimeters from the spinal cord. A disrupted relationship here carries real neurological risk.
When C2 becomes the highest point, the subtle lateral bending available at the AO joint is lost. That loss cascades down the spine, limiting axial rotation throughout the rest of the body. In addition, this posture places increased strain on the nuchal ligament. Instead of remaining centered and elastic, it can begin to slip laterally over the cervical vertebrae.
As elasticity is lost, so is function.
The nuchal ligament’s role is to assist the muscles of the neck in supporting the weight of the head and neck. When it can no longer do that effectively, the muscular system must take on 100% of the load. This often shows up as overdevelopment of muscles like the splenius.
Holding this discussion alongside what we found in Royal’s neck added weight to the conversation. Degeneration at the atlanto-occipital joint and longstanding cervical tension illustrated how chronic restriction at the poll can leave lasting structural consequences. It was a poignant reminder that repeated patterns, especially when layered over time, can reshape the body in profound ways.
Seeing this progression from external posture to internal consequence deepened my commitment to riding that protects the nervous system, preserves spinal integrity, and honors what the horse’s body is truly capable of sustaining.
Behind the vertical is not just a frame. The way we ask a horse to carry their head shapes how their entire system organizes... or breaks down.
This dissection finally gave language to the sensations I’ve felt under saddle. When something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t. The body always tells the truth if we’re willing to listen.
* The dissection was by Trinity Equine Services and I highly recommend attending one if you get the chance.
