Have you ever struggled with your horse being crooked and stiff?

Leaning in their corners, unable to keep a correct bend, or moving very hollow and anxious?

Perhaps being spooky, often seeming tense or tight, or displaying behavior problems such as head shaking, biting, or bucking?

These problems all have one factor in common – Tension.

Tension can affect your horse in many ways, from causing him to move poorly, creating an uncomfortable ride and putting increased stress on his back, legs, and joints, to affecting him emotionally, causing stress, anxiety, and behavior problems.

Regardless of our riding discipline or activity, we want our horses to feel good and to move with ease and grace. A well-balanced horse is a pleasure to ride and will be able to better maintain his soundness and longevity.

A balanced, soft, and supple horse is also able to be more responsive to our riding aids and to remain calm, even in stressful situations.

When we ride, it is our responsibility to teach our horse how to use his body to best carry our weight and perform the athletic movements we ask for. Even if all you want is to amble down the trail on the weekends, a soft and supple horse is a pleasure to ride.

The downside to ignoring tension in the horse is at best slowly developing soundness issues or at worst, a behavior problem that may appear to be unpredictable but in reality was likely building for months.

It is often thought that poor movement, even poor conformation, cannot be corrected, or that behavior problems are the result of a stubborn or difficult horse.

The truth is that these horses can be helped and these challenges solved, all while creating a better relationship with your horse and practicing skills that will help you become a more confident and effective rider.

This method is known as In Hand work, where the horse is guided through a series of progressively difficult exercises, building strength, suppleness, and balance in their body, while promoting relaxation and calmness.