TRAINING SERIES PART 5: Moving on from 'long and low'

Developing Correct Movement, Training Series Part 5: Moving on from long and low

If you haven't yet read parts 1-4 in this series, you can read them on the blog, this is a series that works together! 

In the earlier posts in this series, I have discussed why 'long and low' posture is important to develop, and then once we have improved that part of the horses movement, how to then see if your horse is now on the forehand...the next layer of training! 

So once we have established a more correct posture with 'long and low' work, and started to strengthen the new posture over time (and this is a GREAT place to be with your horses!), we then need to work next on flexibility of frame, to ensure that the horse doesn’t get stuck in one position.

Using different frames will use the body and limbs in slightly different ways, so a good long and low frame really opens the body up and allows ‘flow’ over the back. Whereas a shorter, rounder frame asks the horse to gather his limbs up a little, collect his body a little, and take more weight on the hindlimbs, getting the weight out of the forehand. 

Variety is the key here! 

So using different frames as you move your horse around, incorporating transitions within gaits, and working on the half halt can all help the horse to develop different ways of using his body.

Working in the walk is so useful and especially in this part of training, as we can just ask for 1 or 2 steps of slowing down, taking the weight back slightly out of the shoulders, to move towards developing a more lifted and rounded version of long and low, where your horse carries himself and everything can then feel light! 

It takes time to develop new ways of moving with our horses, but literally developing a couple of nice steps at the walk is your starting point! 

***The image shows me working with my horse Azuro, this was working on half halt steps, a super helpful exercise to teach your horse to slow down, re-balance, take their weight back slightly, out of the forehand, and fractionally shorten the body...developing a good half halt in hand is a building block to use in many different exercises, but in the context of this post, it's a building block for training a new posture! 

***If you would like help with all of this, do get in touch...I have lots of ways that I can help you, from ebooks and online courses to show you my 'go-to' exercises, to my ongoing members training group and one-to-one zoom sessions! Always here to try and help you and your lovely horses! Contact me here: Email me