| Going in a straight line for a horse is not as natural as | | | | help with the line you choose, once you are aware of |
| you would think. They need to be taught how to do | | | | how to keep the horse on this line, is to pick a point in |
| this, especially if we want them to perform a dressage | | | | the distance, look at it and ride towards it. |
| test. A straight line comes from going forward with | | | | To begin with it can help working along the |
| impulsion, and it is this 'forward and straight' phrase that | | | | straightness of a fence line but this does not bode well |
| all schooling, dressage and lateral students will be very | | | | for future development as it is very easy to become |
| familiar with. This is one of the most essential building | | | | lazy with your outside leg. Other schooling aids can be |
| blocks of good schooling; you can't have one without | | | | worked on to help the horse understand the pressures |
| the other. | | | | applied from either of your legs when trying to support |
| The horse needs to be channelled by both your hands | | | | the horse in a straight line. Turn on the forehand and |
| and legs. You will need to use hand and leg together, | | | | leg yield are good for this but will require a sound |
| legs to provide impulsion, hands to keep the pace and | | | | knowledge of how to perform these in order to get |
| both supporting both sides of the horse to prevent him | | | | results. To get a truly straight line you need to work |
| from falling out either side and keep his body straight. | | | | and apply both sides of your body to channel your |
| All of us must be familiar with a horse falling out | | | | horse. |
| through their shoulder at times. A useful technique to | | | | |