Scales of training: set it straight

Does your fave pony ever feel a little crooked while you’re riding him? Maybe he drops his shoulder to the inside, or pushes his hindquarters out when you’re on a circle? Well, we’ve got loads of awesome info on how you can teach him to become super-straight, which is the fifth scale of training!

Straightness is a really important part of your pony’s schooling but be sure to check out past issues of PONY mag to get to grips with the other scales of training, too. You can buy the issues online. Visit ponymag.com/shop

Off the scale

Even though straightness is high up on the scales of training, you still need to work on it early on in your pony’s schooling. This is because true straightness can take months or years to crack. It’s important that your pony learns to become straight so…

• he stays sound for ridden work, as his weight will be distributed evenly, preventing wear and tear on one leg or part of his body
• he can perform school movements accurately
• your riding position doesn’t become misaligned
• he finds it easier to jump over the middle of a fence, rather than drifting to the left or right

The straight and narrow

Straightness is when your pony’s body is completely aligned from poll to tail. Plus, his hind feet should follow the path that his front feet set.

Ponies are often stronger on one side of their body than the other – like how we’re left- or right-handed! So, it takes lots of schooling to help them build their muscles evenly. This can be done using suppling exercises, which you can read about in the February issue of PONY mag.

Did you know?

Straightness doesn’t just apply to lines! You can also work on it on a curve by making sure your pony’s body is aligned with the shape you’re riding.

Find out how to work on your pony’s straightness when you’re riding in April PONY, on sale 10 March 2021.