Training Tip: An Important Ratio

To balance your horse so that both sides of his body are equally relaxed and responsive, you’ll spend 2/3 of your time working on his bad side (the side that is stiffer, pushier or more reactive), and 1/3 of your time working on his good side. If your horse is spookier on his right side, then you’ll want to spend 2/3 of your time desensitizing that side of his body. Or, if your horse is really stiff when you ask him to flex his head and neck to the left, you’ll want to spend 2/3 of your time practicing the exercise on the left side of his body. Eventually, both sides will even out so that you’ll have a calm and respectful horse whether you’re standing on the right side or left side. You’ll find that the horse’s good side and bad side will switch on and off. Once you have him desensitized well on the right side, he might be worse on his left side and vice versa. It’s always going to be a bit of a balancing act.