There’s a difference between collected and rounded. Collected is a forced position that is all too commonly confused with rounded. Rounded takes twice as long to achieve, its the product of multiple steps leading up to it and its noticeably more relaxed and natural.
The problem is that people see a horse in “frame” and want it so they force it. This will cause sore muscles, more chiropractor visits and a hard mouth in time. If you take your time and work on softness first and natural collection you’ll achieve a much prettier picture, a fluid movement, rounded and understanding partnership with your horse.
The forced collection is still hollowing your horses back and causing stress points at their withers and poll. Most commonly I see horses over collected or “behind the vertical”. The horse can’t see once his face is cranked back.
A nice rounded horse moves naturally, comfortably and relaxed. You’ll also see the partnership between the two in this case with rider it seems the rider barely cues the horse and instant softness.
Take your time, do your homework and it will all fall into place 🙂
J Randol horse training 