If you want to make progress with your horse and ensure that you have a happy, tuned-in-to-you partner, you must balance out your training. What I mean by that is train both sides of your horse’s body so that they are equally relaxed and responsive. It’s human nature to skip over issues that aren’t much fun to work on or require more time. I’ve been guilty of it with my horses, and I’m sure you have, too.
To ensure that you are balancing out your training and not skipping over areas your horse is weak in, spend two-thirds of your time working on his bad side. That’s the side that is stiffer, pushier or more reactive. Maybe your horse is supple and feather-light soft when you flex him to the right, but when you pick up on the rein and ask him to flex to the left, he’s heavy and resistant. He’s telling you that you need to focus your efforts on that left side until he’s just as good as he is flexing to the right.
Or, if your horse is spookier on his right side, then you’ll want to spend two-thirds of your time desensitizing that side of his body. Eventually, both sides will even out so that you’ll have a calm and respectful horse whether you’re working on his right side or left side.
You’ll find that your 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. Remember, horses are nothing more than maintenance with legs.
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