When Horses Behave Badly

sections of bone attached to the vertebrae are too close and rub together causing pain. The third response is that the pelvis will rotate forward and open as a result of further contraction of the longissimus opening the area in preparation for mating. 
Improperly placed pinching gullet plates lunging girths vaulting girths driving harnesses and foregirths will achieve the same result as the stallions bite by acting like a vice grip upon the muscles in the wither region. 
All three of these reactions will result in instinctive immobility for the horse. In nature these reactions are critical for survival and allow the stallion to mount the mare without being kicked or ensure that the rival is immobilized during a fight for dominance. 
The paradox is that we as riders want to achieve exactly the opposite. We want a horse with a loose supple and engaged back with the ability to step under with the hind end. We want to take pressure off all the ligaments tendons muscles and bones of the horse in order to keep it healthy and sound for a lifetime of enjoyment and harmonious riding. To achieve this we must ensure that there is no pressure on cranial nerve 11 from an illfitting gullet plate. 
Bucking Reflex
This reflex point is located over the fascia behind the 18th lumbar vertebra. The fascia is the large sheet of connective tissue draped over the horses back and loins and aids the abdominal muscles in supporting internal organs. The horses first reaction is to try to get rid of pressure from a saddle that is too long and pressing on the fascia over the transverse processes. These are the bony projections on each side and the top of the vertebrae which are sites for ligament and muscle attachment. Further indications of a saddle that is too long are the horse doing a pace during the walk both front and hind legs on one side move together rather than diagonally with the opposite side dragging the hind legs during the trot or showing a fourbeat canter.