Licensed with Marijke de Jong

Is your horse:

• Moving with a hollow back?
• More difficult turning to the left or to the right?
• Leaning in or 'motorbiking' around a circle?
• Bad canter transitions, particularly on one rein?
• Rushing, and getting faster and faster, or going too slow?
• Bucking and bronking or spooking and panicking?
• Riding feeling more like a fight, not a pleasure?

​These are common symptoms of natural asymmetry in the horse.
​Straightness Training uses a progressive series of gymnastic exercises that will help with this. By developing your horse symmetrically in body and limbs you can teach him to move in balance so that both rider and horse are moving in harmony.  
The gymnastic exercises are based on the teachings of old riding masters and are taught using the following 5 elements:

• Groundwork
• Longing
• Work in hand
• Riding
• Liberty      

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Rehabilitation from injury and arthritis

Straightness Training provides an ideal rehab programme to help a horse after an operation or injury. It is also ideal for arthritic horses and those with long term physical problems. When a horse is recovering from an injury he will tend to compensate with the other legs causing problems elsewhere in the body. You can help the horse to find his balance using controlled exercises in groundwork, avoiding the need to add the weight of a rider before the horse is ready.

All types of horse

Straightness Training is suitable for all types of horses. All breeds, including gaited horses, are able to do the training, and all types and temperaments. It can keep horses in work into old age, and it can help horses that have retired to live longer and happier lives. It is an ideal way to start a young horse in the right way, because he will learn to carry himself, and he will have the strength to carry the rider before you even back him, so the whole experience will be a very positive one.

Mental and behavioral problems

The horse's physical natural asymmetry can have a hugely negative effect on his mental and emotional state. Straightness Training will help with this by bringing the horse physically into balance, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is important to the horse that the trainer is also physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in balance. We should cater to the horse's needs and at the same time strive to be the best trainer we can be.

Bitless and bareback?

Straightness Training is initially taught to the horse using a cavesson, so a bit is not used at all in the beginning. A bit is really not necessary if you prefer not to use one. A cavesson will help us teach the horse to bend laterally. Later we add a curb bit to encourage the horse to lengthen his neck in collection if desired. It is encouraged to start riding using a bareback pad to allow the seat to develop. This way we can learn to feel the movement of the bending, the use of the back, the positioning of the legs, tension and relaxation better than with a saddle.

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