by Sandy Newkirk

Classically defined, collection entails realizing a shortened base of balance by lifting the forehand through the withers and bending the haunches to accept the extra weight that is  shifted backwards through this lift.  The horse is stabilized over this shortened base through a dynamic stretch along its top line that reaches from the poll through the neck and into the back and a similar stretch of the stomach muscles that angle the pelvis and cause knee, hock, and fetlock to flex.   The forehand is more relieved of its role as weight carrier and becomes more elevated;  the haunches bend at the joints to take on more weight, and movements of the hind legs become less dynamic and more compact.  The energy of the horse is focused not as much on forward, but on high movement. 

There are degrees of collection.  As collection increases, movements become relatively slower, but with greater elevation.  Steps are shortened and the horse covers less ground.  With increased collection, the horse s pelvis tips more downward. With increased loading of the hindquarters, the lift of the hindquarters is restricted,  thus the movement of the hind legs becomes more compact as the movements of the forelegs become more elevated and expressive. Collection allows the horse to execute tighter turns and figures.  High levels of collection are required only for very specialized performance, not for everyday riding, nor even for most levels of competition.

However, collection is enabled by building on lessons that allow the horse to move in balance, carrying the weight of the rider without harming his own physical wellbeing.  We start by teaching the horse to use his back correctly--letting it swing in the movement and carry, rather than retreat, from the rider s weight.   We then work to help the horse find his balance under the added weight of the rider by asking him to shift his own center of gravity towards this added load, i.e. further back.  At the same time, it is absolutely vital that we not disturb the stability or mobility of his back.  So, while we could shift some weight off the forehand by pulling the horses s head and neck up with the rein, that would simply jam the spine together at the withers, and cause him to drop and immobilize his back.  To maintain the healthy carrying function of the back, we will need to teach him to carry more of the weight on his haunches, and to counter-balance that backwards shift of weight with a stretch up front that begins with the poll and moves through the neck and into the back.  So, at this point fairly early in training-- we already have some of the elevation of the forehand, flex through the poll, and increased loading of the haunches that characterize classical collection.  In German we would call a horse moving in this way,  connected (Geschlossen), rather than collected (Versamelt).

To the question, Is a horse in t lt collected,  the answer, I think, is sometimes for sure.   Much depends on which horse we re talking about.  It also depends on what you are asking him to do in the t lt.  And then, too, we must remember that collected is a graduated thing.  Most Icelandics will need to be at least connected to perform a correct t lt in which they move in balance under the weight of the rider. In lessons such as shoulder-in and haunches-in, there is greater flexing through the hind end than we see in lessons on a single track, and a degree of collection is required for them.  Slow t lt, at least as demonstrated by Ejof r Is lfsson on R s at the last Landsm t, is, I believe, classical collection.  In other speeds of tolt, we do see a shortening of the base, but hardly slowing of the speed!  Tuck in the pelvis can be observed, but there is an extension of the joints, rather than a bend. Current biomechanical examination of t lt might soon tell us more in this regard.  Who knows, we may need to redefine collected based on what gait analysis yields.  Connected, however, is a valid and useful term with broad current application for riding the t lt.  It should probably enjoy wider circulation in our teaching and discussions.  It connotes the need to maintain a balance between front and back--bringing the hind end further under to lift and free the front end, and a relative bend at the poll up front to stretch and maintain the carrying power of the back.  I think this term helps riders envision better what they are trying to do.  As we wait for a more physiological explanation of what s going on in t lt, and in different speeds of t lt, we might turn our more every-day discussions towards how to balance and connect their horses from back to front.

For all interested in the science behind t lt, a very interesting study is currently being conducted at the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University.  Dr. Hilary Clayton is leading this project and specialists from the State University of Ohio are also participating.  Photos from the first trial observations can be seen on the Website:  http://icelandicsonice.com/html/mcphail.html