What's really happening when your horse's head goes forward and down; stretching, or something else entirely? Gillian Higgins breaks down the anatomy behind a correct outline, from the nuchal ligament to the neck's key joints, and explains why the base of the neck matters more to your horse's frame than where the nose sits.

Once you have an understanding of how your horse's muscles work, you'll start reading their movement completely differently, whether you're in the saddle, working from the ground, or watching him move round during turnout.

When we look at a horse's back, it's tempting to think of it simply as the place where the saddle sits. However, underneath that saddle lies a fascinating, complex system of muscles that work together to allow movement, support posture, and help carry the rider.