AskHQ: My horse works nicely in straight lines, but as soon as we start lateral work including leg-yields, shoulder-in and half-pass, he comes against the hand. Why does this happen, and what should I look at first?

A: Lateral work asks far more of the horse’s posture, strength, balance, and coordination than straight work. When a horse resists the contact in these movements, there is almost always a biomechanical reason. Understanding which system is struggling helps you address the root cause instead of managing the symptoms.

Here are the most common reasons horses resist the contact during lateral work:

1. Thoracic sling weakness

The thoracic sling – a network of muscles including the serratus ventralis and pectorals -suspends the ribcage between the shoulders. It’s responsible for:

• Lifting the wither
• Allowing correct bend
• Maintaining shoulder freedom
• Supporting balance during sideways steps

When it’s weak, the horse cannot truly raise the forehand or ‘stay up’ in the contact. Instead, he may:

• Lean on the inside shoulder
• Tip forward
• Dive onto the forehand
• Brace against the rein when asked to bend

What helps:
Polework, correct transitions, hillwork, and short bouts of well-ridden shoulder-fore. Think ‘lift before you bend.’

2. Straightness issues

Lateral work magnifies any asymmetries already present. A horse who is:

• Stiff to one side
• Hollow on the other
• Haunches drifting
• Neck overbent but body straight

…will struggle to find the elastic, consistent contact the movement requires.

Often the horse resists because the movement is being asked on top of crookedness he already cannot fix without help.

What helps:
Correctly ridden shoulder-fore, centreline work, and deliberate alignment checks before you start the lateral movement.

3. Hindleg availability

Contact always reflects what the hindlegs are doing. If the hindleg cannot step under and across, the horse cannot:

• Maintain push
• Maintain balance
• Coordinate bend and sideways steps simultaneously

In lateral work, the inside hind needs to be available, strong, and supple. If it’s weak or restricted, the horse may:

• Pop the shoulder
• Block in the ribcage
• Shorten the neck
• Grab or hollow into the contact

What helps:
Transitions within gaits, small circles, leg-yield away from the stiff side first, and strengthening exercises like raised poles.

4. Saddle fit issues

A poorly fitting saddle can make lateral work uncomfortable by:

• Restricting scapular movement
• Pressing on the trapezius
• Causing ribcage rotation discomfort
• Triggering back bracing when the horse is asked to flex and bend

A horse may accept contact on the straight but resist during lateral work because the shape of his back changes during sideways movement.

What helps:
A professional saddle assessment, particularly checking shoulder clearance and panel balance.

5. Rider asymmetry

Lateral work exposes rider crookedness more than almost any other movement. Common rider issues include:

• Collapsing through one side of the ribcage
• Hanging on one rein
• ‘Helping’ the movement with the hand instead of the leg
• Losing alignment of hip–shoulder–hand
• Sitting behind the movement

These subtle patterns can create uneven pressure in the reins, leading the horse to resist.

What helps:
Lunge lessons, mirrors, video feedback, Pilates for riders, and exercises to improve hip mobility and evenness.

Final thoughts

When a horse resists the contact in lateral work, it’s due to biomechanical limitations.

Improving:

• Thoracic sling strength
• Straightness
• Hindleg stepping-under
• Saddle comfort
• Rider symmetry

…will almost always resolve the resistance and create the soft, elastic connection you’re aiming for.