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Natural and Artificial Balance of the Horse

Horses naturally carry more weight on their forehand (weight distribution between forehand and hindquarters is approximately 60/40), meaning that the forehand naturally has a certain supporting function, while the hindquarters are primarily used for spontaneous propulsion in flight situations. The rider’s correct position is at the lowest point of the back, directly behind the withers, as the horse can sufficiently arch its back here due to the arrangement of the vertebrae. However, sitting directly on the forehand leads to overloading the front legs. Therefore, the rider’s primary task is to bring the horse into a new, artificial balance so that the weight distribution between forehand and hindquarters is properly balanced again: they must encourage the horse to step more under its center of gravity with the hindquarters to relieve the forehand. At the same time, they must ensure that the horse learns to carry the rider's weight with an arched back and not by giving way downward with the spine.
The development of this new, artificial balance and the supportive back muscles is achieved through the first three points of the training scale.

The natural weight distribution between forehand and hindquarters is approximately 60 to 40.


The rider sits at the lowest point of the back directly behind the withers, as the horse can ideally arch its spine here due to the natural construction of the spinous processes. However, placing the rider directly on the forehand results in overloading it.


By driving the hindquarters forward, a new, artificial balance is created, relieving the forehand once again. Additionally, the horse learns to arch its spine, and the stretching of the topline leads to strong, supportive back muscles.


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