When in a frame why should the poll be the highest point and if not what will happen/cause?

Question

When in a frame why should the poll be the highest point and if not what will happen/cause?

Answer 1

Well, QH (or other stock horse) western pleasure doesn't require the horse's poll to be the highest form, and that in no way makes them heavy on the front end.  It CAN, if the rider doesn't know how to ask for the proper collection and only manipulates the head set, then yes, the horse can become heavy on the front.  Look at top-quality WP horses though--their polls are not the highest point, and they are NOT heavy on the front end!

Answer 2

The poster above me is right that the stock horses don't travel with their polls highest. But the AQHA circuit has gotten a bad reputation in some circles because of that. And I don't mean to offend any QH riders out there, but I think when the horse's nose is dragging in the dirt and it has no impulsion, we can agree there's something wrong with that picture. Horse's don't naturally travel that way.

The poll should be highest because it puts the horse in proper balance, allowing him to see what's ahead of him while remaining in contact with the rider's hands. This is the ideal position so that he can successfully jump a course of fences or perform a dressage test. Indeed, it's the classical dressage masters who taught us that the poll should always be the highest point. Even hunt-seat and western riders can benefit from the words of the classical dressage trainers, and I highly recommend you read the following if you're interested in the theory: The Complete Training of Horse and Rider - Alois Podhajsky, Riding Logic - Wilhelm Müseler, The Forward Impulse - Piero Santini.

Answer 3

The why of your question is already addressed by another poster.  I just want to add that I believe that the ears of a western pleasure horse are now allowed to be above the level of the wither, which puts the poll in line with the wither, and closer to the more functional position that dressage masters have identified as ideal.  The fact that so many still carry the head lower than that is hopefully going to be changing in the near future.

Answer 4

If the horse's poll is not the highest point, then his head is too low.  Among other things, this can contribute to a heavy front end, evading the bit, and stumbling.

If he stumbles with his head down low, he'll have less opportunity to catch himself and it will be harder.  They use their heads and necks for balancing, and a low, low head is out of position.  If he flings it straight up as the rider is being tilted forward as he stumbles he'll bonk her in the head (ouch! trust me); if he doesn't she'll be unable to catch herself and topple forward over his head (ouch!  trust me).

Even if he doesn't stumble, he's going to be too far on his forehand, and can't easily get his hind end under him to round his body and work properly.  He won't actually be able to get in a good frame with his head too low.

He'll be impossible to have properly on the bit.  With his head low, to carry the bit properly he'll have to stick his nose out forward, where the angle of the reins between your hands and the bit is wrong and ineffective.