3 Straightness Progressions You Can Start This Month

After winter, many riders notice old patterns creeping back in.
A horse that feels uneven, stiff on one rein, resistant in transitions, or just “not quite right.”

It can be frustrating. 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.

Here are three straightness progressions you can focus on this month — not exercises, but principles that will start shifting how your horse moves, feels, and responds.

Progression 1: Learning to See What Your Horse Is Really Doing

Straightness can’t improve if we don’t first recognise what’s happening in the horse’s body.

Many riders jump straight to fixing — changing the way they ride, switching exercises, or adding more work — without first developing awareness of how their horse is actually moving.

Focusing on observation helps you notice:

• How your horse distributes weight

• Areas of tension or stiffness

• Subtle differences between left and right

When awareness improves, decision-making becomes calmer and more confident.
You stop guessing — and start responding appropriately.

Often, this alone brings a sense of relief: “I finally understand what I’m seeing.”

Progression 2: Giving the Body Time to Change

Straightness develops through consistent, repeatable work, not constant variation.

After winter — when restarting work — horses benefit from:

• Simplicity

• Predictability

• Clear expectations

Many well-meaning riders stall progress by trying too many exercises at once. Giving the body time to adapt allows muscles to strengthen, movement patterns to reorganise, and confidence to build — on both sides of the horse.

When consistency improves, horses often feel calmer, more settled, and easier to work with — both on the ground and under saddle.

Progression 3: When Movement Starts to Feel Easier

More work doesn’t automatically create better straightness.

Adding intensity or duration before quality improves often reinforces crooked patterns rather than resolving them.

This progression is about noticing the point where movement starts to feel easier — more balanced, smoother, and confident.

Paying attention to this moment supports:

• Long-term soundness

• Comfort and confidence

• A calmer, more willing horse

It’s also an important reminder for riders: progress isn’t measured by how much you do, but by how effectively you work with your horse’s body.

Why In-Hand Work Is a Straightness Game Changer

Many riders discover that in-hand work transforms everything — not because it’s more complicated, but because it allows you to work with the body instead of against it.

I personally deepened my in-hand knowledge after my horse Azuro’s surgery.
It was during that time that I truly learned where his body was blocked — and how those restrictions affected his posture, balance, and straightness.
In-hand work allowed me to understand what he actually needed, rather than pushing him into what I thought he should be doing.

Why it works so well:

• Effective in short sessions: Even 20 minutes can make a real difference, especially during winter or busy weeks.

• A powerful warm-up before you ride: Helps organise balance, posture, and engagement before weight is added.

• A complete system on its own: For horses returning to work or managing physical issues, in-hand work can stand alone as a full training approach.

For many riders, this is a turning point — not because they do more, but because they finally work with the horse’s body.

Why Straightness Often Stalls

If straightness feels stuck, it’s often because of:

• Trying to progress too quickly

• Chasing symmetry instead of balance

• Changing exercises instead of improving execution

You don’t need more exercises — you need a clearer, structured progression.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Straightness isn’t rushed.
Winter hasn’t undone your progress.
And your horse’s body is more adaptable than you might think.

When these progressions are applied with structure and understanding, real change becomes possible — calmly, safely, and sustainably.

If you want clear guidance on how to assess straightness, apply in-hand work effectively, and progress safely, the In Hand Exercises course walks you step-by-step through the process — showing how it can be used as a warm-up, a short focused session, or a complete stand-alone system.

Sometimes the biggest shift comes from doing less — but doing it better.