Cathy's Monthly Article from Texas Horse Talk Magazine

Let Me Give it to You Straight!

By Cathy Strobel

As everyone knows, when you ride straight down a path or along the rail of an arena, you just point the horse’s nose in the direction you want to go and the horse will follow it. However, as any knowledgeable horseman knows, there is a lot more that goes into riding a straight line than pointing his nose in a direction.

In order to be technically straight, the horse’s nose, shoulders and haunches need to line up on the same path. Not only is this important on a straight line, but it is equally important on a curve when you are turning a corner or making a circle.

Imagine a train on the railroad tracks, every car must follow exactly behind the one in front of it. Now compare the train to a horse and imagine it divided into three cars. The horse’s head is the caboose, the shoulders are the passenger car and the haunches are the engine. Backwards, you say? You bet! The engine is in the rear of the horse, pushing it forward. Should any part of the horse push off to the side, it will theoretically jump the tracks and derail. Such is the case when you lose control over your horse.

Teaching a horse to travel straight not only improves his balance, but dramatically increases your control as you ride. Control equates to a more enjoyable ride and more importantly, to a safer ride.

Before a rider can straighten a horse, there needs to be impulsion. The rider’s legs drive the horse forward into his hands which shift the horse’s weight back into the haunches, where the engine is. To test for suppleness and balance, ride your horse forward with impulsion and begin making a circle. Ask him to bend by turning his head slightly to the inside while moving his shoulders out with your inside leg. Keep your outside leg back a little to gently prevent the haunches from swinging out. Notice how easily he bends. Then change directions and do the same thing going the other way. Does your horse want to bend more easily in one direction than the other?

Most horses have an easier side which we refer to as the hollow or soft side. The direction that resists the bend is considered the stiff side. In straightening a horse, it is important to identify the stiff side. You will need to spend more time working in that direction to properly develop his muscles that will make him supple and allow him to travel straight. Just as most people are right or left-handed, most horses are right or left sided. With proper training, the muscles can be developed to function more similarly on both sides. You will find that the haunches travel to the inside on the hollow side and to the outside on the stiff side.

Now, take your horse on a straight line parallel to the rail. Glance over your shoulder to view the haunches and “take a picture” in your mind. It is important not to stare at the back of your horse as it will throw your body off balance and change the way the horse travels. Now think about what you saw. Was the horse straight or were the haunches curved to one side or the other?

Mirrors offer a wonderful tool to see if your horse is straight, too. Just watch the horse’s alignment as you travel toward the mirror. The hind feet should land precisely on the same line or “track” as the front feet and the head should remain in front of the center of the chest. Since many people don’t have mirrors available to work with, a good friend or assistant can be a great substitute. Have your friend stand at the corner of the arena and watch as you travel both toward and away from her. Ask your friend to keep telling you where the haunches are in relation to the shoulders while you are in motion.

If the haunches were curved in, realign your horse by moving the shoulders in front of the haunches. By firming up the outside rein while continuing to steer with the inside rein; you will bring the shoulders in to straighten your horse. If you attempt to move the haunches out instead by pushing with the inside leg, your horse will not correctly change the balance and will compensate by leaning against your leg. If the shoulders were to the inside, move them out by sliding the outside leg back to stabilize the haunches and firm up the outside rein. The rein and leg used together will move the shoulders out to line up with the haunches.

The next challenge is to do the same thing on a curve. Ride your horse on a circle. Can you keep all the “cars” on the “railroad tracks”?  Remember to spend more time working to the stiff side to help your horse stretch and develop those muscles. Give him frequent breaks by letting him stretch his neck and back.  Once the horse becomes easier to straighten, try riding the inside track (3-4 feet to the inside of the track on the rail) and see if you can maintain the straightness. Have someone check you periodically to insure that you are correct in your assessment of your horse’s straightness. As a result of the increased straightness, you will find your horse easier to control the next time he attempts to evade your aids. You will also find it easier to further your horse’s development in the future once he is straight.

Cathy Strobel has over 30 years of experience as a trainer, judge and clinician. Contact us if you have a topic that you would like addressed or need help with a particular problem.