Longneck is a bit of a misnomer. Their necks are not longer at all. The brass rings are very heavy and they start wearing them at about 8 or 10. Theweight of the rings pushes down on the collar bone and ribs and deforms them giving the appearance of a long neck. They also where a piece of clothe under the rings to prvent their skin from being discolored by the brass rings. The "rings" are open in the back and drawn together with heavy string to make them into rings.