Keeping a horse in an outline

Problems with keeping a horse in an outline are very common and, first, it’s important to know what a correct outline is. Basically it’s to do with a horse’s head carriage and way of going. Young and untrained horses find it difficult to work in an outline and will take time to find the correct balance. Often they will try to work with a low head carriage or head high in the air, depending on the horse. As a horse’s training progresses, he becomes less ‘on the forehand’ and learns to work more ‘from behind’ with power and impulsion coming from the hindquarters. No horse should be forced into an outline and his rhythm should be correct before worrying about this.

Flatwork and dressage will improve way of going and outline as the correct muscles build up. It is very tiring for a young horse to work in an outline for long periods of time so reward him with plenty of breaks in between exercises where he is allowed to walk on a long rein to relax his muscles.

I find lungeing with side reins a help to improve both rhythm and outline because you are on the ground and can see what the horse looks like but be careful not to overdo it with young or unfit horses and ponies as it is extremely tiring. Ten minutes on each rein is plenty in the beginning. They need to walk on the lunge without side reins at the beginning and end of each session to warm up and relax their muscles. More tips on improving outline here.