5 Reasons Your Horse Finds Schooling Harder Than It Should Be

If you’ve ever felt like your horse is trying—but still struggling to make progress—this blog is for you.

Because here’s the thing:

💡 It’s not always a training issue. Sometimes, it’s a physical one.

As an equine physio specialising in posture and crookedness, I see this all the time. Horses that resist transitions, rush, brace, or struggle to bend… not because they’re being difficult, but because something in their body isn’t quite working as it should.

Let’s look at 5 common (and often hidden) reasons horses find their work harder than they should—and what you can do about it.

1. Poor Core Strength

When the core muscles are weak, your horse can’t properly stabilise their spine during movement. This leads to bracing, hollowing, and tension through the back and abdomen. They might struggle to connect, stay round, bend laterally, or engage their hindquarters—and that makes schooling feel like hard work, for both of you.

2. Crookedness in the Body

Many horses carry a natural asymmetry—just like humans—but without correction, this becomes exaggerated under saddle. One rein always feels stiffer, transitions feel uneven, or they drop a shoulder or quarter in circles.
🐎 Core strength and postural awareness are key to helping horses move straighter and more evenly.

3. Lack of Postural Stability

Good posture isn't just about appearance—it’s about function. If your horse has a dropped back, a weak topline, or stands under themselves, these postural imbalances affect their ability to carry weight, stay soft, and perform balanced movements. Over time, this creates physical and mental resistance, and can be a slippery slope towards injury.

4. Heaviness on the Forehand

When your horse lacks core strength, they tend to carry more weight on the forehand—creating extra pressure on the front legs, shoulders, and joints. Not only does this make schooling harder (especially transitions and circles), but it also increases the risk of injury.
Strengthening the core helps lift the forehand and shift the balance more evenly through the body.

5. Spinal Discomfort or Compression

Without good effective core engagement, the dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) along your horse’s back can come closer together. This can cause discomfort and long-term risk of issues like kissing spine. Core activation creates lift and space between the vertebrae, protecting spinal health and promoting a pain-free back.

Bonus Thought: Treat Your Horse Like an Athlete

If you were about to start lifting weights at the gym, you wouldn’t just jump straight in. You’d prepare with core work, mobility, and functional strength first.
Horses are no different. Expecting them to carry a rider and perform under saddle without proper preparation is like sending them to the Olympics without any training.
🧠 Core work is the foundation—and the safest, smartest place to start.

The good news?

You can start transforming your horse’s strength, posture and movement in just 10 minutes a day.

That’s exactly why I created the Core Exercises for Your Horse Course. It’s a simple, science-backed approach to help your horse build core strength, improved posture and straightness, and move more freely—before, during, and after riding.

✅ No special equipment needed
✅ Vet- and physio-recommended
✅ Ideal for every horse, at any stage

Whether your horse is in full work or coming back from time off, this work supports their whole body—and helps you both enjoy schooling again.

🔗 Click here to get lifetime access to the Core Exercises Course for just £9