"Rollkur": Review of the Scientific Research on Hyperflexion

At last fall's Equitation Science Conference held in conjunction with the Global Dressage Forum, Prof. P. René van Weeren, DVM, PhD, Dipl ECVS, Utrecht University,  presented a review of scientific studies addressing hyperflexion of the horse's neck, commonly referred to as rollkur.  

Rollkur has been a hot-button issue among dressage riders, trainers, and fans of the sport.  Opinions are heated and diametrically opposed, primarily based on personal observation or diagrams which purport to show detrimental health ramifications of the practice.

TheHorse.com reports that Prof. van Weeren said, "…recent research using new technology, including special treadmills for studying detailed biomechanics in motion, now suggests this controversial position is probably no more harmful than the standard vertical head position required in dressage competitions."

In fact, in his published paper, Prof. van Weeren states:

Thus far, it has not been shown that this position causes physical damage. Reports on potential negative effects on welfare are contradicting and the underlying research is not free from flaws, to say the least. The issue is too complex and too much determined by modulating factors such as training status of the horse, duration of time during which the position is maintained, etc. that unconditional condemnation or approval can ever be given on scientific grounds. For the time being, the approach taken by the FEI after the 2010 Round Table Conference on the issue, in which not the position itself but the way in which it is achieved is judged, seems most viable.

For further information about the research, check www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle or the proceedings of the Equitation Science Conference.

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