Rollkur

A 10min PP Pres on recent advances in the research on Rollkur.

1. Rollkur/HyperflexionRollkur/Hyperflexion
Recent Advances in Equine ScienceRecent Advances in Equine Science
Laura Rafferty - TrowLaura Rafferty - Trow
(Fig 2: Hyperflexion, www.sustainabledressage.com).
(Fig 2: ‘A top rider in the warm-up arena.
www.sutainabledressage.com)

2. What is ‘Hyperflexion’What is ‘Hyperflexion’
"Hyperflexion of the neck is a technique of
working/training to provide a degree of longitudinal flexion
of the mid-region of the neck that cannot be self-
maintained by the horse for a prolonged time without
welfare implications.” (FEI 2006)
‘…a training method involving forced flexion of the poll
and neck with the horse’s head pulled behind the vertical.’
(FEI 2006)
‘Deep and round (rolkur): A modern tendency to train
the horse to carry its head low and its cervical vertebrae
maximally flexed …To critics, the deep and round
technique is seen as a form of false collection and may have
welfare implications.’ (McGreevy et al 2005)

3. What does it look like?What does it look like?
Nose to chest – ‘Bitting the chest’ Nose to chest – ‘Bitting the chest’
(Popp 2005)(Popp 2005)
Extreme Flexion in the middle Extreme Flexion in the middle
part of the neck (Clayton 2006)part of the neck (Clayton 2006)
Head is behind the verticalHead is behind the vertical
Extreme flexion at the pollExtreme flexion at the poll
Bulging Splenius muscleBulging Splenius muscle
(Fig 3: ‘Power and Paint’ (Fig 3: ‘Power and Paint’ http://http://
www.eurodressage.comwww.eurodressage.com))
(Fig 4: ‘Top rider warming up’ (Fig 4: ‘Top rider warming up’
www.sustainabledressage.com)www.sustainabledressage.com)

4. TimelineTimeline
Baucher and Morris (cited in Lesbre 1920) studied weight
distribution between the fore and hind limbs with different
head positions

•1946: the Dutch scientist E. J. Slijper (cited in Cornille, no date)
investigated the workings of the equine neck.
•Rhodin (2003) ‘The influence of head and neck position on the
kinematics of the back in riding horses’ – Free/ low position =
more back movement than ‘high’ position. ‘At trot there was no
significant difference in stride length as regards the head and neck
position .’
Table 1: From Lesbre (1920) – cited in Odberg (2005)

5. Timeline ContinuedTimeline Continued
•August 2005, Dressur Pervers, St Georg – public ‘outing’ of Rollkur
•11
stst
International Equine Science Symposium (IESS): Australia – discusses International Equine Science Symposium (IESS): Australia – discusses
the Ethology of training.the Ethology of training.
2006: Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop
The use of over bending (“Rollkur”) in FEI Competition
2006: ‘Workload and stress in horses: comparison in horses ridden deep
and round (‘rollkur’) with a draw rein and horses ridden in a natural frame
with only light rein contact’ – Workload was higher when horses were
worked in ‘Rollkur’ – however, this study was conducted on riding school
horses.
2006: 7
th
International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology: Skeletal
Biomechanics –Head position mainly effects the forelimbs (Weishaupt et al
2006)
-‘A high position reduces normal back mobility, whereas the Rollkür position
increases the range of motion at trot.’ (Gomez et al 2006)
- A low (and out) neck position raises the back – not a curled neck. (Von
Peinen et al 2006)
-‘The draw rein significantly influenced the head and neck angles, but the
changes were not found to correlate with kinetics.’ (Bystrom et al 2006)

6. Timeline ContinuedTimeline Continued
2008 – ‘Impact of riding in a coercively obtained
Rollkur posture on welfare and fear of performance
horses’ (Von Borstel et al) – Higher behavioural
signs of discomfort (p<0.05), chose ‘neutral’ over
‘rollkur’ when given choice (p<0.05) and displayed
more fear during ‘rollkur’ condition (p= 0.092,
0.087).

7. ConclusionConclusion
‘Inappropriate schooling is probably an underestimated
welfare problem.’ (Cartier d’Yves and Odberg 2005)
‘Rollkur’ does increase workload in riding school types.
In experienced hands ‘Rollkur’ is not seen to be abuse. (FEI
2006)
However, Von Borstel et al (2008) found welfare reducing
effects – this was published after the FEI workshop.
Rollkur does have an effect on movements of the back
(Rhodin 2003 and Gomez et al 2006) and fore limbs
(Weishaupt et al 2006) but these results are conflicting.
Much of the evidence, to date, is conflicting – this could be
because they are not all using the same ‘Rollkur’.

8. Further QuestionsFurther Questions
Effect of ‘Rollkur’ on back, fore and hind limb kinematics Effect of ‘Rollkur’ on back, fore and hind limb kinematics
at walk, trot and canter with a rider?at walk, trot and canter with a rider?
The effect of ‘Rollkur’ on biokinematics during the The effect of ‘Rollkur’ on biokinematics during the
advanced movementsadvanced movements
Do horses trained using ‘Rollkur’ get better results?Do horses trained using ‘Rollkur’ get better results?
Can judges tell when a horse has been trained this way?Can judges tell when a horse has been trained this way?
Plasma Cortisol levels as an indicator of stress?Plasma Cortisol levels as an indicator of stress?
 Large Epidemiological studies, pre and post mortem, into Large Epidemiological studies, pre and post mortem, into
the long term physiological effects of ‘Rollkur’the long term physiological effects of ‘Rollkur’
 There are still a myriad of questions to be answered There are still a myriad of questions to be answered
concerning this controversial technique. As Equitation concerning this controversial technique. As Equitation
Science becomes more popular the links between the ‘art’ Science becomes more popular the links between the ‘art’
and science of riding will be explored further – hopefully and science of riding will be explored further – hopefully
informing, with facts, this heated debate.informing, with facts, this heated debate.

9. ReferencesReferences
Bystrom A, Roepstorff L and Johnston C (2006) ‘Influence of draw reins on limb
kinematics in relation to kinetics’ Conference Proceedings from the 7
th
International
Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology: Skeletal Biomechanics: France
Cartier d’Yves A and Odberg F, O (2005) Cartier d’Yves A and Odberg F, O (2005) A preliminary study on the relation between
subjectively assessing dressage performances and objective welfare parameters.’ Proceedings of
the 1
st
International Equitation Science Symposium: Australian Equine Behaviour Centre,
Melbourne, Australia
Clayton H, M (2006) ‘Clayton H, M (2006) ‘RESEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR STUDYING OVER-BENDING
(ROLLKUR)’ Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees' Workshop: The use of
over bending (“Rollkur”) in FEI Competition
Cornille J, L (no date) ‘Long and Low’
www.eurodressage.com (2008) available at: http://www.eurodressage.com accessed on 03/02/09
FEI (2006) Report of the FEI Veterinary and Dressage Committees Workshop: The use
of over bending (“Rollkur”) in FEI Competition, FEI Veterinary Committee meeting
at the Olympic Museum, Lausanne.
Gomez C, Rhodin M, Poepstorff L, Weishaupt M and Van Weeren R (2006)’ A high head and
neck position reduces back movement in dressage horses compared to a natural position, but the
“Rollkür position” increases back mobility.’ Conference Proceedings from the 7
th
International
Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology: Skeletal Biomechanics: France
Lesbre FX. 1920. Précis d’Extérieur du Cheval. Cited by: Ollivier D 1999. La Vérité sur l’Equilibre.
Editions Belin, s.l. 188 pp.

10. ReferencesReferences
McGreevy P, D, McLean A, N, Warren-Smith A, K, Waran N and Goodwin D (2005)
‘Defining the terms and processes associated with equitation’ Proceedings of the 1
st

International Equitation Science Symposium: Australian Equine Behaviour Centre,
Melbourne, Australia
Odberg F, O (2005) ‘Odberg F, O (2005) ‘The evolution of schooling principles and their influence on the horse’s welfare.’
Proceedings of the 1
st
International Equitation Science Symposium: Australian Equine Behaviour
Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Eds: Editors: P. McGreevy, A. McLean, A. Warren-Smith, D. Goodwin,
N. Waran
Popp, B (2005) ‘Popp, B (2005) ‘Who’s Responsible For Maintaining The Classical Principles Of Dressage?’ The Chronicle
of the Horse (Sept) pp 34 - 35
Rhodin M (2003) ‘Rhodin M (2003) ‘The influence of head and neck position on the kinematics of the back in
riding horses’ Degree Project 2003:14 ,Veterinary Programme, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, SLU, ISSN 1650-7043, Uppsala
www.sustainabledressage.com (2009) available at: http://www.sustainabledressage.com,
accessed on 03/02/09
Von Borstel U, U, Heatly I, J, Duncan A, Shoveller A, K (2008)’ Impact of riding in a
coercively obtained Rollkur posture on welfare and fear of performance horses’ Applied
Animal Behaviour Science 116 (2009) pp 228–236
Von Peinen K, Weistner T, Keel R, Roepstorff Meyer H, Van Weeren R and Weishaupt M,
A (2006) ‘Saddle force measurements in relation to ground reaction forces in different head
and neck positions in the ridden horse’ Conference Proceedings from the 7th International
Conference on Equine Exercice Physiology: Fontainebleau, France
Weishaupt M, A, Von Peinen K, Johnstpon C, Roepstorff L, Van Weeren R, Meyer H and Weishaupt M, A, Von Peinen K, Johnstpon C, Roepstorff L, Van Weeren R, Meyer H and
Wiestner T. (2006) ‘Wiestner T. (2006) ‘Effect of head and neck position on temporal and force parameters in
the unridden and ridden horse at trot’ Conference Proceedings from the 7th International
Conference on Equine Exercice Physiology: Fontainebleau, France