The Truth About Crookedness

If you’ve ever been told your horse is crooked because you’re doing something wrong, you’re not alone.

For years, 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 most horse owners are never told:

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.

Crookedness Is Natural – Not a Training Mistake

Just like humans, horses are born asymmetrical.

They have a naturally stronger side, a more flexible side, and preferences in how they load weight through their body. This isn’t something to eliminate — it’s information to work with.

The problem begins when training focuses on appearance (straight lines, head position, outline) rather than how the horse is organising their body from the inside out.

When we try to “straighten” a horse without first addressing:

• posture

• balance

• core support

• weight distribution

…the crookedness doesn’t disappear.

It simply goes 'underground'.

Why Traditional Training Often Misses the Root Cause

Many horses look straight on the surface.

But underneath, they may be:

• falling through one shoulder

• avoiding loading a weaker hind limb

• bracing through the ribcage

• dropping through the thoracic sling

This is why so many horses:

• feel easier on one rein

• struggle with transitions

• lean, rush, or resist contact

• plateau despite consistent schooling

Crookedness isn’t just about alignment — it’s about functional strength and coordination.

Until the body can support straightness, straightness can’t truly exist.

Straightness Is an Outcome, Not a Starting Point

This is where the conversation needs to change.

Instead of asking:
“How do I make my horse straighter?”

A more helpful question is:
“What does my horse need in their body for straightness to become possible?”

In my rehabilitation and training work, everything follows this order:

Mobilise → Activate → Strengthen

• Mobilise what’s restricted

• Activate what’s switched off

• Strengthen what needs to carry load

Only then does straightness begin to emerge — naturally, softly, and sustainably.

Crookedness, Core Strength & Long-Term Soundness

Unaddressed crookedness doesn’t just affect performance.

Over time, it can contribute to:

• recurring niggles

• uneven muscle development

• joint overload

• kissing spine patterns

• long-term compensatory movement

This is why so many horses look fine… until suddenly they aren’t.

Their bodies have been coping — not thriving.

When we train from the inside out, we change that trajectory.

Why In-Hand & Foundation Work Matter More Than You Think

Ridden work often asks the body to perform before it’s ready to support.

In-hand and foundation work allow us to:

• see crookedness more clearly

• influence posture without rider load

• build strength more symmetrically

• retrain movement patterns safely

This isn’t about doing less riding.

It’s about creating a body that can actually carry the work we ask for.

Free On-Demand Webinar: The Truth About Crookedness

I’ve created a brand new on-demand masterclass to walk you through this in detail.

In the webinar, I’ll guide you through:

• why crookedness is innate and unavoidable — and why that’s not a problem to fix

• how crookedness shows up in posture, balance, and movement (often long before it’s obvious)

• how to assess crookedness beyond head position, bend, or straight lines

• why straightness is an outcome of correct strength and coordination — not something you force

• what needs to change in the body for straightness to develop sustainably

This masterclass is about understanding what your horse’s body is telling you, so you can stop guessing and start working with them — not against them.

👉 Watch the on-demand webinar here

A Final Thought

Crookedness isn’t something to correct or fight.

It’s your horse communicating where support, strength, and clarity are needed.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or quietly unsure whether what you’re doing is really helping — this webinar will bring things into focus.

Not more techniques.
Not more pressure.

Just a clearer understanding of your horse, and a calmer, more confident way forward.

And if you want the quick-start guide to start helping your horse this week, this is my Step 1 foundation in improving horses posture and movement, CLICK HERE for my Core Exercises course, instant lifetime access, still 80% off.