Straighten up
Straightness is important for all horses – regardless of discipline – and something riders should work hard to establish, regardless of the horse’s age. Straightness promotes evenness and balance in the body, and assists a horse’s turning abilities by keeping the shoulders and hindquarters from falling in or out.
A simple exercise is to alternate working your horse on the border of the arena, and a few metres off the track where he can’t rely on the edge to keep him straight. Even schoolmasters can battle with keeping straight when they don’t have the barrier to ‘support’ them.
Very important here is the rider’s own straightness. Your upper body should be upright and your head facing forward, hands should be even and still, and the legs should support the horse with equal pressure – almost as though creating a channel for the horse to travel through.
Practice a lot of straightness in the walk, as it’s almost harder for the horse to walk in a straight line than to trot or canter, where their momentum can support the path easier. See where your horse has left a trail or have someone to watch you on the ground.
Top tip: Ride a square
Set out four cones or markers approximately 15m apart. Ride from point to point, ensuring straightness along the edges. This exercise also promotes lightness as your horse needs to be able to turn the corners without hollowing, falling onto the forehand or losing control of his shoulders or hindquarters. Advanced horses can turn the corners by performing a turn on the haunches or forehand – depending on how you decide to ride the square.