## Overview Weakness of the deep cervical flexor muscles (longus capitis and longus colli) impairs the horse’s ability to flex at the poll and maintain self-carriage. The horse may rely on rein contact, go behind the vertical, or show tongue evasion. It is often a training or conditioning issue rather than a primary disease. ## Causes Insufficient gymnastic training, pain inhibition from elsewhere, or prolonged poor posture. ## Diagnosis Clinical observation of head and neck carriage under saddle and response to correctly executed gymnastic exercises. ## Treatment Progressive dressage-based or in-hand exercises that encourage true poll flexion and engagement of the deep flexors, combined with treatment of any concurrent pain. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with consistent, correct training over months. ## Prevention Balanced training that develops self-carriage rather than relying on rein pressure.
inability to maintain poll flexion without strong rein contact; tongue over the bit; behind the vertical; improvement with correct gymnastic work
## Overview Weakness of the deep cervical flexor muscles (longus capitis and longus colli) impairs the horse’s ability to flex at the poll and maintain self-carriage. The horse may rely on rein contact, go behind the vertical, or show tongue evasion. It is often a training or conditioning issue rather than a primary disease. ## Causes Insufficient gymnastic training, pain inhibition from elsewhere, or prolonged poor posture. ## Diagnosis Clinical observation of head and neck carriage under saddle and response to correctly executed gymnastic exercises. ## Treatment Progressive dressage-based or in-hand exercises that encourage true poll flexion and engagement of the deep flexors, combined with treatment of any concurrent pain. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with consistent, correct training over months. ## Prevention Balanced training that develops self-carriage rather than relying on rein pressure.
inability to maintain poll flexion without strong rein contact; tongue over the bit; behind the vertical; improvement with correct gymnastic work