Straightness: Identify and Correct the Hollow and Stiff side

Do you know your horse's hollow and stiff sides? In this video, I help you identify these sides and give you exercises to correct it and improve your straightness!
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Straightness: Identify and Correct the Hollow Side and the Stiff Side
Dressage is all about straightness and symmetry. The dressage training scale includes straightness as one of the prerequisites to collection. Just like humans, every horse is either left or right handed and has a hollow side and a stiff side. It is important for the longevity and soundness of the horse to identify which is the horse’s stiff side and work to equalize and correct this in the riding and the training.
Here are some exercises to use on the stiff side:
Leg yield:
If the horse is stiff on the right side (like most horses are) and wants to fall against the right leg, working on leg-yields away from the right leg and getting the horse off of the right leg and into the left rein is a great exercises to straighten the horse.
Shoulder-in:
If the horse is stiff on the right side, shoulder-in right, if ridden correctly, will encourage the horse to bend in the body to the right and move off of the rider’s right leg and connect into the left rein.
Haunches-in the opposite way:
If the horse is stiff right and hollow left, haunches in left will help to stretch out the right side of the horses’ back and work to straighten the horse.
Figure Eight:
A simple figure eight of 20 meter circles where you change direction in the middle every time is a very simple and effective exercise to correcting straightness and symmetry in the horse. Most horses will naturally want to make one of the circles smaller. The horse will want to counter bend and fall to the inside on this circle. On the other circle the horse will want to over-bend in the body and fall through the outside shoulder. Working to make both the circle left and right of exactly the same size and with the correct bend will work to equalize and straighten the horse.
Rider Straightness:
It is essential that the rider is aware of and correcting their straightness while working to correct the straightness of the horse. Often, if a horse is crooked, it will make the rider crooked. If the rider is crooked it is impossible to get the horse straight. If the horse is stiff to the right and wants to push right, the horse will push the rider over to the left.
Hopefully these tips are helpful in getting your horse straighter! Just like with our bodies, straightness for the horse is something that is a constant work in progress and some horses are naturally more symmetrical than others!
Comment below and let me know which is your horses’ hollow side and stiff side!
Happy Riding!
Amelia

[@beckyfoster4428]

This is right where I am with my mare. In shows, the judges have commented on her counter bend, and so it has been a work in progress. Because she is a Friesian, her bulk has exasperated this issue. I am anxious to use these exercises on her. Thank you! Your explanations and videos are a huge help.

[@elleb6019]

I love watching your videos, they are so well explained and demonstrated. Which makes implementing them in my riding easier. My horse, Amira, is also stiff on the right, so these exercises are going to really help me to help her to bend and stretch.

[@evanneshanley6181]

My OTTB mare is also stiff to the right -- understandably so, since she spent the first few years of her working life running fast and turning left. :) She is much better now in her lateral flexion but it has been a real work-in-progress. We do lots of changes of bend, especially, figure 8s, spiraling in from a 20 meter circle to a 10 meter circle and then leg yielding back out again to the 20. Also, 3- and 4-loop serpentines at the trot. She is smart and willing and we have come a long way. She looks gorgeous now with correct muscling over her topline. :) Love watching your videos! Thanks!!!

[@catherinefontaine6428]

This is so helpful! It is exactly the same for me: on the left hand side,she bulges out at one place particularly. Then on the right hand side,she falls in. Thanks Amelia!

[@norabrown1535]

I love your videos so much great information to bring to your riding 🐴

[@danamoore3025]

Thank you this is exactly what I am experiencing with my green mare. Cannot wait to try these.

[@jennifermckean9856]

My mare is stiff left and hollow right. But I am left handed and hang in the left rein also. Thanks for the great tips!

[@danaalley2010]

Can't wait to try that haunches in left. Thank you!

[@AppyDancer]

Get my sunglasses! So many light bulb moments here that I may go blind! Wowzers! Another video to save in my "Dancer" file. I went from "F**k, I don't know which side is stiff" to "Hey, that's what my old coach used to tell me! That's EXACTLY what Dancer does! Please let there be some way to fix this..." and right on to "let's work on this!" Since I am doing dressage with my old grey mare to keep her healthy and sound, this is just what we need! Thanks!

[@michellebannon674]

I love your videos and learn a lot from them. Thank you.

[@katarinamills8530]

My.horse is extremely right handed...toughest case Till now!!!love your shirt!!

[@mohegantrainingcentre8206]

This is my Appaloosa boy, very stiff left rein due to spur on hock that has now solidified but he is very stiff. Thank you Amelia

[@nancygolden6896]

My horse falls in on the right. My body is also crooked so we often work against each other. This video very helpful in providing exercises to help the straightness of the horse. Thank you. I did order the shirt. Look forward to receiving it. Think it will help.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for the kind words. It will definitely increase your awareness!

[@candacewade767]

Cool. Even for ever-student lower level riders. I can try this. Thank you.

[@evecory8946]

Hi Amelia, thank you for your videos they are really helpful! My mare is stiff to the left, so pushes her body into my left leg, she finds it much easier bending to the right and often over bends! I'm finding working on serpentines and leg yields really help with this. I'll keep watching your videos for more tips and tricks, thank you again, Eve and Ruby (UK) x

[@Life.on.the.wrong.leg2020]

For my horse it is right hollow, left stiff. She even has a different speed, running and hanging when riding lefthand, slow and up on the righthand. Trying to learn more shoulder control first so I can help her more. She is still quit green. Love the jacket, already checking if I can order it to be send to Europe

[@minky7252]

Very good! I learned this from two of my excellent instructors!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Minky, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! ///// I'm not sure if you know this but, I've been lucky enough to qualify BOTH of my horses (Harvey and Kensington) to compete in the Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, if you are willing and able, even the tiniest donation to my GoFundMe would make a massive difference. You can read more and, (but only if you'd like to and have the capacity!) donate below! gofund.me/2989323b Also, you can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips sent to your email here! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Finally, if you love my content, I’d LOVE it if you left me a review on google! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review Thanks so much for being on my page! I appreciate it so much! 😀

[@jennifersymon9557]

Yup, right side is our stiff side too. To add to the left side history that you spoke of Amelia, that is why dogs are led on our left, because our horses are led on our right due to the sword. Or at least that is what I have heard…. Sorry, I’m a little late to the comment stream!

[@cindynoble2037]

My horse is just like Don Carlos! Thank you for the explanation and visualization, Amelia💞🐎🐴

[@madisonpelly1874]

Lovely account! Can you do a video on some fundamental exercises for green broke horses in their first few months of training undersaddle? You have such informative content and do a great job breaking things down .

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you! Here's a video on a few exercises I like to do with a green horse: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3u1e5h_etyEn9U

[@milanmulder5507]

such a good and helpfull video! do you have any tips for me to get my distracted young horse to have more focus on me and the training instead of everything else?

[@tanon2703]

My fellow is hollow on the left, stiff on the right, but falls in on the left and falls out on the right. He also has a left front leg that he paddles with so he has a tendency to pull toward the left regardless of what we do. He will compensate to avoid bending to the right by bowing his left shoulder out and bulging his tummy to the right. It is rather like riding a pretzel at times. If there is a straightening exercise, I probably know it. 😏🐴

[@solbjrgkristiansen3699]

Any tip, you described my horse perfectly 😅 he is a green lusitano tough. 😅

[@N12S10S]

thank you I want to try this tomorrow I have the exact same issue 😻

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Let me know how it goes!

[@N12S10S]

@AmeliaNewcombDressage ot worked great, but then I switched arena, and he found something scary, so then we both lost the original straight line 😹😅 but I think it takes practice as he isn't so easy to move to the left 😹 but it did make a big difference 😻

[@wildacresranch]

Is there a longer version of this video? I’m going to work on this tomorrow! So helpful

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hey there, At the moment that's the longest one. But keep an eye on my youtube as I post new videos every wednesday and I also offer more comprehensive courses through the academy! But here's two straightness videos from the archive if you're on a straightness streak at the moment!! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn7Vi5hpqdl_iJI kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5zOhZqdl9alb6s

[@horseaddictedpb]

Another good video! And yes, my horses are stiff to the right also. I really like your videos that explain about bend and flexion. I think this aspect is often misunderstood and some riders don't fully understand what a supple horse is. I had a lower level rider get on my second level horse and was amazed how he would flip the crest of his neck as you bend on a loopy serpentine as you warm up and how soft and light between the reins a supple horse can be. Your videos explain and illustrate very well. Kudos!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good for you! Sounds like you are getting your horse nice and supple!!

[@danw6014]

This I find interesting. How much of this do you think is because of physical condition and how he just maybe naturally vs mentally bracy. My thoroughbred was explosive when we began our journey together. Once I was able to get her saddled her body was like a board with no flexibility from head to tail and choppy in any movement. Her life has changed significantly since then but she has a lot of braces in her hindquarters, in particularly her left hind. I can feel that she doesn't reach across when I leg yield or disengage her hindquarters. It shows when I back in a half circle. I just gather up the reins and wait for her. The great thing is I can draw up the cinches and in a few steps have her in a lope instead of an explosion. She's a great horse and a kind soul who got a bad start.

[@saraolds4907]

My girl is opposite! That was really helpful to hear about this. One small request is every so often when you talk about a shoulder in or haunches in could you remind us what those cues are? I'm always forgetting which leg goes where for those. Just a thought for us confused folks. Lol!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! I will. Here's a video I have on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goSTcqKjicmYgJo

[@lauriebohanan2761]

Hi miss Amelia. How do the stiff to stay straightness for the horse 😁

[@tinker.dakota]

My horse is also stiff on the right and likes to be left bended (bug out over the shoulders in canter)

[@lauriebohanan2761]

Hi miss Amelia. How do the stiff of rider and horse 😊

[@anne-mariespear4595]

From this video I have realised that on my horses stiffer left rein when I fall off right i need to use my inside left to ask him to bend more in the rib cage. BUT...If on the hollow right rein you still slide off the saddle to the right what is the horse doing to cause this?? And then what is the correction? PS I also like to work on the stiff side first - find it easier

[@amytimmermans353]

For my horse it really depends, like a month ago her stiff side was the left but now the right side is more of her stiff side😂 so I don’t really know what side is her stiff side

[@mariesantos6041]

🍀🐎🍀

[@rachelnapier4179]

This describes my OTTB perfectly! Hes so willing to do things as long as we are going his favorite way but as soon as i switch he becomes a brick wall and it looks like im on a green broke lame horse lol. Feels like hes going to fall on his face bc he keeps stumbling over his own feet and his movements become so heavy it throws me off balance which then irritates him even more. No amount of warm up, groundwork, or conditioning has made it better yet.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That’s difficult! Keep at it, it can be a long process

[@mackenzieirvine8943]

my horses' stiff and hollow side is opposite, but sometimes when i change direction over the diagonal or through a half circle over x he tends to grab that inside rein when changing onto his stiff side and i cant really get a proper bend back till i ride a corner. Any tips? thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Maybe try a walk transition when you want to change the bend so he doesn't rush. Once you have the bend, then resume trot.

[@imogenhoole]

I have the same problem with my horse! Every time I change to the right rein he gets unbalanced and sometimes even looks lame for a few steps hahaha, he had a fall so he has an injured foot from racing which makes things a bit more difficult for him. He’s getting better though

[@excaliburskeeper]

My horse is more crooked in the right lead canter. Can I do these exercises in the canter to help with this?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes for sure! Just make sure you keep the lower half of the training scale in your mind and working (sometimes in the canter everything is harder and it falls apart). Check out this free PDF if you need a refresher on the training scale: amelianewcombdressage.com/plan-your-ride-training-scale-pdf-o/

[@1sacoyle]

Straightness training is best started from the ground. It's kind of a form of Yoga for horses.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes. For sure. I agree

[@kathleenbronson9849]

Amelia...what size jacket are you wearing? I am going to order one but I am I certain about which size to order. I am about your size....

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

This is a small but I think I would get a medium if did it again

[@kathleenbronson9849]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thank you 😊

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

Dear Amelia, I would appreciate if you stopped sending drones over our place just so you ALWAYS know exactly what to make a video about, because it's exactly the issues I'm working on! :D :D :D Boy had a bit of a fall a few weeks ago (thank goodness nothing serious but he has some physio treatment) and he's been a bit stiff on flex/bend to left ever since. So timely!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha! You're so funny! I thought I was actually in trouble for a minute!!

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Wait.... because you DO have drones flying about? ;) Seriously now: one thing maybe to point out in the videos - or maybe have a whole separate video on the topic - is about *changing* flex and bend. So many riders I see think it's just "yank head in other direction". :'( My old instructors (and also my current trainer) drilled it into us that you a) *always* first straighten and b) *then* change flex/bend. You should see the muscle shift as if the mane starts flowing to the other side. I had to do that when I was doing the same figure 8s you showed only yesterday and it's so important that I force myself to make sure I straighten him out just before the centerline, give a half halt and only then shift weight to other side, change flex/bend.