The USDF has an excellent discussion of straightness at www.usdf.org/EduDocs/Training/POT_Straightness1.pdf.

Rather than repeating the descriptions of straightness there I would like to address the two related questions How can I tell when my horse is crooked? and What can I do to make my horse straighter?

Read More

What does it mean for the horse to be in front of the leg? We often hear that a certain horse is “so behind the leg!” You can tell from the speaker’s tone of voice that this is a bad thing. Or a rider declares that the test was going great until the horse got behind her leg and it was just downhill from there. Clearly behind the leg is bad, so in front of the leg must be good. The instructor says, “He’s not in front of your leg. Get him in front of your leg.” This must mean that if the horse is in front of your leg it will be better than it is now.  What is the difference? How can you tell if the horse is in front of the leg?

Read More