Straightness

Straightness is the fifth step of the training scale and where development of the horse gets exciting! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Most of us immediately think of the shoulders when it comes to straightness. Does the horse move straight whether he is on a line or on a curved line, like a circle? Do his shoulders fall outside of or fall inside of the line of travel?

And while this is a correct place to start, as your horse progresses towards self-carriage, straightness evolves in to whether or not the horse is physically able to equally load the hind legs.

“Through our training we aim to gradually bring the horse into more and more evenness on both sides. Only when the horse is straight is he able to perform every movement and figure correctly.” ~ Walter Zettl

The Purpose of Straightness: “Only when the horse is straight will it be possible, by collection, to make the hindquarters carry a greater proportion of the weight. By making him bend the three joints of the hind legs (hip, stifle, hock), cause him to carry out the appropriate gymnastic exercises which will improve his balance and suppleness and strengthen the hindquarters for further demands. Straighten your horse and ride him forward.” ~ Complete Training of Horse and Rider, p 46

Exercises and movements - beginner, intermediate and advanced - that allow you to further develop straightness.⠀

Beginner - On a 20m circle at the walk, trot or canter, spiral in, making your circle smaller and smaller. Go from 20m, to 15m, to 10m. Once your reach the 10m circle, leg yield back out to your 15m circle, then leg yield out to your 20m circle. Repeat in both directions at your desired gait.

Intermediate - Utilize transitions amongst all three gaits, to make sure your horse is in front of your leg, through his body, and connecting consistently to the bridle. Transition down to the halt, and as light as possible, cue for the rein back. Your horse should stay absolutely straight and you should feel his sternum lift as he sits more and utilizes the joints of the hindquarters. Give, and go off in to whichever gait you choose, staying as straight as possible.

Advanced - Once you reach a higher level of training, I recommend you work on the school halt. It is a great movement to teach your horse to shift weight on to the hindquarters and requires absolute control of the body. If your horse has a natural talent for the school halt, you can challenge them further by training correct Levade, which can be very difficult to do.

Happy Riding! xo