Express yourself

There’s no better feel than riding a well-trained horse who feels balanced, supple, forward-going and even on both reins.

And the great thing about correct basic training is that when you work on a specific issue, such as suppleness or expression, every other element of your horse’s training starts to slot into place, too.

I’m always analysing the horses I ride to consider what needs more work, how I can turn those sixes and sevens into eights and what specific exercises would benefit their training the most.

Read on to learn more about some of the movements and exercises I use regularly during training sessions with the aim of improving my horses’ overall performance and wellbeing.

Flexible friends

Personally, I find that most horses are stiffer on the left side than they are on the right, but what does this actually mean? If you think about it, your horse will be able to bend to the inside more easily on the rein he’s stiffer on because, in order to bend to the inside, he has to stretch the muscles on the outside of his body.

So if you’re riding your horse on the right rein and he’s struggling to bend, it’s actually due to the fact that the stiffer muscles on his left hand side find it difficult to stretch in order to allow right bend.

Not every horse will be stiffer on the left side, of course, and if you’re unsure about your own horse, see if you can work it out next time you ride, or ask your trainer during your next lesson. That way you can begin to make important tweaks to your training plan to help even him up.

Top tip

If you feel your horse is falling onto one shoulder, ride a few leg-yield steps in the other direction to lighten him again.

Did you know?

Riders have stiffer sides, too, and it’s important to work on our own straightness.

Discover Dannie’s exercises to develop expression in October Horse&Rider – get your copy today!