A. Face Behind the vertical, neck contracted (not the position for "long and low" or "rollkuer").

The poll is no longer the highest point of the topline and there is overstretching of the nuchal ligament behind the poll.  If the neck is contracted, the last four cervical vertebrae shift slightly back relative to their original position, decreasing nuchal and supraspinous ligament stretch needed to "lift" the withers.  Muscles attached to the hyoid apparatus are strained, along with the brachiocephalicus muscle.  The windpipe is cramped at the larynx where it passes through the hyoid apparatus between the jaws, restricting ease of breathing in extreme cases. Lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth provides some relief from strain on hyoid to sternum connections, but makes faults with tongue likely. The top three or four segments of the serratus in the neck are overstretched. This posture does not help gymnastic development.

B. Face ahead of the vertical, "normal" position of the poll.

Viscera of head and neck allow normal breathing. Neck vertebrae in slight "S" configuration

C. Face near vertical, true raising of the poll and base of neck (up through the withers).

 The complexus system muscles of muscles along neck stabilizes neck vertebrae (not shown, but visible from the outside as an even "roll" along spine of neck). The poll shifts up, evenly stretching the nuchal ligament and shifting withers slightly relative to the back. The ligament along the spine of the trunk also stretches. Viscera of head and neck remain relatively undisturbed by this motion. Neck vertebrae rearranged from a shallow  "S" to slight "C" configuration. Muscular effort required to maintain this posture enhances gymnastic development.