23/06/2025
On the Forehand: What It Really Means for Your Horse
Thereâs a lot of misunderstanding around the concept of a horse being on the forehand. Many riders are told that being on the forehand is terrible and must be corrected immediatelyâor risk ruining the horse forever. But the truth is more nuanced, and the rush to âfixâ the issue often causes more harm than good.
The Natural Balance of the Horse
By nature, the horse carries approximately 60â65% of its body weight on the forehand. This is how they are built. Itâs not a flawâitâs just natural biomechanics. If this were inherently damaging, horses wouldnât survive in the wild long. The real challenge arises when we add the riderâs weight, introduce repetitive exercises, and push a horse beyond its mental or physical readiness. Add in poor ridingâtight hands, heavy seats, imbalanced aidsâand itâs easy to overload the front end.
Balance Isnât ForcedâItâs Found
A balanced horse isnât put into balance by the rider. Balance is something the horse learns to find with time, correct work, and sensitive riding. The rider provides direction, encouragement, and moments of releaseâbut true balance must come from the horseâs own body awareness.
Trying to collect a young horse too early is a recipe for physical and emotional breakdown. For the first year under saddle, the focus should be on calm, forward movement in straight lines and large, gentle turns. No tight circles. No repetitive lateral work. The horse must first learn how to carry the rider in a horizontal balanceâwhere weight is distributed roughly 50/50 front to backâbefore it can ever understand or achieve collection.
Patience in the Training Process
Some horses may remain on the forehand for the entire first year of training, and thatâs okay. Rushing them only creates tension, wear, and confusion. They need time to build strength, coordination, and mental clarity. Pushing a horse too soon into work it isnât ready for does far more damage than letting a horse stay a little longer on the forehand while developing naturally.
In fact, I see more sore, stiff, fearful, and physically broken horses from rushed or forced attempts at âcollectionâ than I do from horses who were simply allowed exta time to figure it out on their own.
False Collection Creates More Problems
Shortening the neck or riding âdeep and roundâ doesnât get the horse off the forehand. In fact, it often increases the problem. When the horse leans into the bit or retracts its neck and hollows its back, the hind end disengagesâand the front end takes even more strain. True collection begins from the hindquarters, not the reins.
Let Your Horse Learn
The best thing you can do for your horse is to slow down, ride with patience, and only ask for movements your horse is physically and mentally ready for. The path to balance is longâbut forcing it will never lead to the kind of sound, confident, and willing partner you want.
Give your horse the space to grow.
