16/07/2025
Vertical Balance
An analogy I use all the time when explaining how to help the horse come into self carriage.
The science - Vertical Balance is when the horse has an even load through both forelimbs. Being in VB enables the thoracic sling to engage correctly which lifts the withers. This is the first stage of lifting the back. When the horse lifts their back they also lower their head and neck into a forward down and out position. This frame is the first posture needed when training a horse, once the horse has built up enough strength and stability they can go on to progress into more advanced outlines and collection.
A horse in balance has a nice rhythm, is less at risk of fatigue and injury through compensations, and uses the elastic energy in his tendons well.
If the horse is out of balance say more weight on the left fore they will offer too much right bend. Their shoulders will block the rib cage and withers lifting, therefore hollowing the back. The neck will fold to the right to balance out the falling through the left shoulder.
When on the right rein they will give the feeling of falling out, when on the left rein they will often bend to the outside and fall in through the shoulder often giving the rider the feeling they can’t let go on the right rein.
To even out the scales and therefore also the contact on this horse the rider could place more weight into their right stirrup/seat bone, use more left leg and/or raise the left hand slightly to encourage the horse to take some weight off the left fore and onto the right creating vertical balance.
The old masters would often say give on the heavy and take/push to the soft when taking about contact.
🎨 Sandy Rambinowitz for Dressage
