Driving the hind leg under has become a mantra for many riders.

Drive, drive the hind leg under the horse.

More is better.

Always more and more and more.

But as a mantra could this "drive" of ours be somehow flawed?

There is one horse that has the most drive under. The race horse galloping across the turf, nostrils flared, hooves thundering.

Would we say that this horse was in self-carriage?

No, not really.

Hmmm..

So why is it so desirable for the dressage horse to drive the hind leg under?

Well because the collected horse has a shorter base. The hind end more under the horse!

Does this mean that any drive under is desirable in any manner.

The answer - probably not surprising - is "no," Not all "drive under" is necessarily good.

We are not striving for the incredible swing of the race horse thundering around the bend.