>>>>"Virginia Tupper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Maybe I'm wrong but that swishing tail says that horse is not happy--am I wrong? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw
I think this is the same video that Laree sent to the list about a month ago. We discussed it then, so you might like to review. Here's where it started, Jan 31 and Feb 1, 2007: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/message/91242 Basically, what we said was that swishing tails indicate tension, but not ALL tension is bad, not if their is benefit to be gained from the exercise. If you'll notice, this lovely mare only swishes her tail when she's doing the most difficult maneuvers. Look how flowing and lovely her tail looks when she trots and walks. That's a clue. That's a lot different than a horse who shows tension even when standing to be mounted, or doing what should be an easy gait. > And--the head position--is that 'behind' the verticle? V No, that's pretty much "on the vertical", a position that a horse can't be expected to achieve until he (or in this case SHE!) is well conditioned and mature - that takes lots of time and work to achieve. Rather than thinking simply, "on" or "behind the vertical", it might be helpful for you to also take note of the position of the poll. In correct form, collection at this level will show in a horse whose poll is the highest point of the topline, and in this case, I'd say it is pretty close. Contrast that to the overbent, behind the vertical Icelandics we often see, whose polls are frequently several inches below the center of their necks. Karen Thomas, NC >
