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Horse GeeksBringing out the best in horse and rider Author: Kirsten Nelsen
Bringing out the best in horse and rider kirstennelsen.substack.com Language: en Genres: Alternative Health, Education, Health & Fitness, How To Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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219: What is a Swinging Back in Horses?
Saturday, 21 March, 2026
The term swinging back is used a lot to describe ideal use of horse's backs, but what does that really mean? Does the back swing, back and forth or side to side like a swing set? If we look at the spine itself, the vertebral joints and soft tissues that support the bones of the back and pelvis, then the body itself shows us how little mobility it is meant to have there. The back should not literally swing or move like a swing set. The sensation of swinging as a movement adds excessive force and strains a horse's back and hindquarters. The term through-ness might be a preferable description because it does not imply movement, just energy. Swinging movement might also be a safer way to describe good balance in horses, but it is not the back that is swinging when horses move in balance, instead the back feels incredibly still. Guest: Deb Romero, Certified Alexander Technique Instructorwww.optimalposture.orgHost: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainerdeveloper of Training for Optimal Balancewww.kirstennelsen.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kirstennelsen.substack.com
