4 of 4

Write now Article Tools

The poll is an important part of sports horse anatomy, and has come under recent scrutiny in the world of dressage during the debate surrounding the use of rollkur (an extremely round, deep outline), during a horses warm-up routine to encourage a poll-high outline. One view is that rollkur puts pressure on the windpipe and restricts the breathing capacity of the horse, although many top riders such as Anky von Grunsven have spoken in the defence of rollkur, lauding it as an effective, and harmless, way of improving a horses 'outline'. The was concern at the European Pony Championships over the Dutch team pony Power and Paint, after photographer Gille Levesque took pictures of the pony being lunged in a very deep frame. The Dutch Equestrian Federation continues to debate the ethics of rollkur, and many equestrian societies have reacted strongly, saying the practice was 'questionable.'

Back to the poll. This is the point at the top of the head, right between the horse's ears. At the higher levels of dressage the poll is supposed to be the highest point, as the horse should be flexible enough, and have strong enough neck muscles to achieve this position. At the lowest level of dressage, Preliminary, the poll is considerably lower, with more importance placed on continuity and submissiveness than total self-carriage and flashy movement.

The term 'self-carriage' also relates in a way to the poll, as it refers to the horse's ability to hold a poll-high outline without leaning or balancing himself on the rider's hands. There are of course some instances in which it is impossible for a horse to be poll-high, even at the highest stages of training, namely stallions, or the occasional mare with a large crest, in which case such an outline is biologically impossible.

Learn more about this author, Adie Rose.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Horse anatomy: The poll?
We want to hear your view. Write now!