19/09/2025
Whatever our horse is accustomed to doing when things are fine, when things are slow and we’re just going about our day to day activities- is exactly what they will do when we add speed or things get a little hairy. Their normal habits become amplified when we add extra stressors. Also, the postural habits they develop in their normal day to day habits will show up under saddle.
If they’re pushy in the quiet moments on the ground, they could certainly knock you over when they get anxious or excited. If they’re pushy when they lead, they are likely to be very heavy on the forehand under saddle. If they’re straight and relaxed on the ground, and connected to you in a dynamic conversation, they’re likely to be looking to you for support when they get nervous, safer to handle, and feel good under saddle too.
One thing I try to be particular about is how my horses stand next to me and how they lead. I ask them to stand straight and parallel to me. It isn’t because I don’t love them or want them to be near me - on the contrary, I find horses who are straight and in their own space comfortably are significantly happier and more relaxed. They tend to fidget less, and tend to move more fluidly in their bodies too. It helps them advance on from basic in hand work to more advanced work far more easily and logically, and helps to improve our relationship - they know I will always be there to help them feel good body and mind.
A straight, relaxed horse on the ground makes a straight, relaxed horse under saddle.
