I call it the lameness that is not really lameness. Sometimes, a horse develops an unexplainable hitch in his movement that leads to much head scratching from vets who, after an array of diagnostics, find no clear answers. The horse is described as being “not quite right,” but beyond that, there is no reason or treatment

At some point during our learning process, many riders, myself included, became overly focused on the position of the horse’s head and neck. We were told that if the horse’s head was in the perfect position, it was a sign that everything else was falling into place. This mindset often caused us to prioritize the horse's front-end, neglecting other essential aspects of their movement and overall balance. With the best of intentions, we spent most of our time adjusting the reins, trying to “fix” the head position, rather than considering the bigger picture.

After several years of traveling around giving clinics in which I teach riders to use ground poles in their regular schooling, I have arrived at a fact: most riders quickly understand the gymnastic benefits of group poles, but they will not incorporate them on a consistent basis. It’s not because they are rebelling against my advice but because poles can be a hassle to drag out and set up every day.

If you have spent any time trying to train horses to accomplish physical goals, like moving more athletically, chances are good you have discovered that some individuals are more willing than others. Much as I would like to offer science-based explanations for this, I believe a lot of it owes to a less scientific trait that we’ll call “personal space.”