ckayser, I think what people are trying to get at is that the trainer, instead of telling her to look at the horse's head, needs to be telling her to look at its legs at back. A horse that is properly on the bit will be reaching under itself with its hind legs and will be off its forehand. It will look more compact and less strung out. The degree of engagement you get will vary depending on the discipline (look at some of the Grand Prix horses doing collected movements -- they look almost like balls because they are so round). When the horse is using its back properly and is on the bit, you can feel the muscles of the back engage and the hind end come under the horse.

It is very possible (and pretty easy) to get the horse's head in the right place without requiring it to move properly. What people find worrying is that the trainer is telling her to focus on the wrong end of the horse. He may be trying to make it easier for her to understand, but if he isn't talking hindquarters, that's a problem.

ETA: The picture you posted is a good aid to demonstrate what I am talking about -- as the horse moves more onto the haunches, the shoulders of the horse rise (which is what gives a higher or lower headset).

Note: Being a source of amusement due to acts of stupidity does not make you funny. It makes you a laughing stock. -chezjerome
Last Edited By: loshad Jul 15 09 5:34 AM. Edited 1 times.