Training in the Right Way: Ask the Trainer – My Horse Isn’t Forward

This week I thought I’d try something a little different and tackle some reader/rider submitted training questions. This first one focuses on the ‘lazy’ (but not really) horse.

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

For this week’s article, I thought I’d try something a little different. As much as I enjoy pontificating on specific training topics, or nerding out discussing dressage’s historical roots, I thought it might be helpful to open up the column to specific training questions you all may have. For this initial push, I had some riders from a recent clinic send me their questions. Going forward though, if you would like to submit a question to be fielded here, you can send it as a message on my Facebook page, Forward Thinking Dressage, or submit it as an email to [email protected].

This week’s question is as follows:

My horse isn’t particularly forward thinking and often feels behind my leg. Most people I’ve ridden with tell me to ‘make him go more forward’. I’m already riding with spurs and a whip, and I feel like I am using them all the time just to keep him going. I know this is not what is “supposed” to happen. My regular instructor says he’s just lazy. Even if he is lazy, my understanding is that dressage training is supposed to be able to address problems like this. I just don’t know what to do differently to make him go more forward.

Before I answer the question, there are three very important points to make:

There are many reasons for horses to feel “lazy” (behind the leg, dull to the leg, not forward, or just plain slow). It is always the human’s responsibility to rule out physical discomfort as the primary reason for this response to the driving aids. Some typical physical reasons for horses feeling “behind the leg” are neck arthritis, kissing spine, and dental problems. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is crucial that the rider/trainer rules these types of concerns out. Often (not always), they can be treated and the horse can continue in training and be successful, and not uncomfortable when working.

Additionally, it is crucial that the bridle, bit, saddle, and girth are properly fitted to the horse, are appropriate to his level of training, and are all dressage training equipment that would be considered “legal” in competition —  or at the very least are “typical” training gear that is being used with knowledge and compassion for the animal.  If you are unsure, the dressage section of the USEF rule book is a very good place to start your education in appropriate equipment.

Finally, if the horse is not “just” not going forward, but is reacting violently (rearing, balking, running backwards, or in some other way trying to remove you from the saddle or endanger you) you should not be trying to ride it. These are problems that may be able to be addressed, but it is a more specialized process and will require the experience and timing of a trainer that deals with these types of problems.

Forwardness is not measured by how fast a horse is going, but by his ability to reach “forward” under his body with his handlers while in motion. This, in turn, will create greater velocity. So just chasing the horse with the whip and the leg will not create forwardness. Suppleness is required to create forwardness. Photo (c) Morgane Schmidt

In the absence of these possibilities, the most common reasons for a horse not to go forward from a normal amount of leg (especially if the spurs and whip are already being employed) is either that the rider has too much contact on the horse’s mouth, or that the horse is not supple enough. Both of these are often true at the same time, as most riders keep too much backward pressure on the bit as a general rule. But more importantly, horses often do not go forward easily from the leg because they are not supple enough.

Another way of saying it is, “horses with stiff necks and stiff backs cannot go forward.” If the horse is stiff and not forward because the rider is holding the horse’s mouth too firmly, this will cause the lack of suppleness in the neck and back that blocks the ability of the horse to move forward as well. Regardless of whether the issue started with too much backward pressure on the bit, or just a general lack of suppleness, the answer is the same: make the horse more supple (notice that I did NOT say use stronger/bigger/louder driving aids).

Not all horses are naturally “forward thinking” and require more attention to training them to be light to the leg. Suppleness is an essential quality that must be developed to put the horse on the aids, which will improve their response to the leg aids. Photo (c) Morgane Schmidt

You must use suppling exercises that are appropriate to the horse’s level of training, but your options include:

• Transitions
• Circles
• Turn-on-the-forehand
• Leg yield
• Shoulder-in
• Haunches-in
• Renvers
• Reinback

Utilizing these exercises rather than simply trying to chase the horse more or using bigger/louder/stronger aids will result in a better training outcome. And, as usual, knowing which exercises to use and getting the most out of these exercises, requires some knowledge and experience, so having a good trainer, and having regular eyes on the ground while you are schooling will help tremendously.

In short, a horse with a stiff back and/or neck, regardless of whether he is stiff because he has been ridden in a way that makes him stiff, or just hasn’t been made supple enough, is physically incapable of being properly forward. In this instance, the horse will improve in his reaction to the rider’s aids only through suppling exercises. As he becomes looser in his back, his ability to swing his hind legs (literally) forward will improve. Between these two things, he will become lighter to the aid (all submissive horses are supple, not all supple horses are submissive*) and go more easily forward from the leg.

Suppleness in the horse’s back and haunches allows the horse to go more forward. The ability to reach “forward” is visible in this photo, as evidenced by the reach of the left hind leg. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

That said, we must always remember that training is a process, and exercises do not work like a light switch and just suddenly make the horse better. The improvement creeps in over time when the rider is consistent with their expectations and approach. Training is simply the consistent repetition of the same expectations and exercises over time.

*Submissive simply meaning on the aids.

Remember: limited knowledge is limited judgment.

Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.