With Jenny Adamson, Equine Physiotherapist & Rehabilitation Specialist
Crookedness has been framed as a training flaw, a rider problem, or something that should disappear if you just ride straighter, add more leg, or school harder. But here’s the truth: crookedness is not a failure. It’s a natural starting point. And when we misunderstand it, we often end up creating tension, compensation, and long-term issues instead of strength and balance.
Straightness is one of the most talked-about goals in training…and one of the most misunderstood. Because most riders think straightness is something you create from the outside. But in reality? Straightness is something the horse can only offer when their body is capable of it.
After winter, many riders notice old patterns creeping back in. You’re putting in the work, but straightness seems elusive. The truth is, straightness isn’t something you correct in one moment. It’s something you build progressively, by working with the body instead of against it.
If you’ve ever had a phase where your horse suddenly feels softer in the contact, easier to bend, more relaxed through their back — only to find yourself a few weeks later dealing with the same old issues again… You’re not imagining it. This cycle is incredibly common, and the missing piece is where the training focus is placed.
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