July 8, 2016 
The image of dressage horses prancing sideways might just seem like fancy footwork, but in reality these lateral movements are akin to physical therapy for the horse.
From a conditioning standpoint the dressage exercises of shoulder-in, haunches-in and half-pass prove highly advantageous for improving neuromuscular coordination and proprioception. Obviously, they are most helpful when introduced only to the mature horse, carefully and in small bouts, but many riders could benefit from learning what they do.
These movements activate muscle groups deep in the horse’s body that otherwise remain under-utilized; a state which causes dysfunctional movement. When ridden correctly or schooled in-hand, they can be curative for horses with poor postural habits due to their effectiveness in recruiting deep pelvic stabilizing muscles, which play a cybernetic role for locomotion. You can think of these muscles as storing a whole new language for the horse’s body. As joints, muscles and tendons learn to speak this new language, the horse becomes capable of fluid efficient movement.
In addition to the hip and spinal joints gaining better stability and range of motion through lateral exercises, the pectoral, groin and gluteal muscles become stronger. These play a primary role in adducting the legs and improve forward reach and mobility of the forehand.
As the gluteal muscles strengthen the horse’s power and impulsion in the hindquarters also increases.
©Flickr/Teresa Alexander-Arab
The extent of these positive outcomes relies on the quality of practice. Many riders introduce these movements too early, before the horse is physically mature or has a good baseline of general physical conditioning. This is a mistake that often leads to soreness or a shortening of the horse’s gait rather than improving forward reach. In this case, the horse learns to shuffle through the exercises in a compromised way and does not recruit his cybernetic muscles for balance and control.
It is almost always better to request just a few steps when training these movements, and then allow the horse to travel forward. Repeat this sequence rather than attempt to hold the horse in the exercise for several meters at a time.
Before tackling these maneuvers it is imperative that horse and rider can execute flawless turns on the forehand and turns on the haunches.
©Flickr/NikkisPikkis
These simple but often overlooked turns require the foundation elements that lead to success in lateral exercises—bend and responsiveness, hindquarter engagement, proper sideways movement and roundness. Be absolutely certain that your horse’s gymnastic turns are as good as they can be and practice them frequently before tackling lateral movements. Whenever there is a loss of quality in one of your lateral movements you can often return to schooling these turns to fix the problem. If there is a glitch in your turns on forehand/haunches there will assuredly be a glitch in your lateral movements.
About the Author
A lifelong equestrian, Jec Ballou has devoted herself to a thorough, correct and straightforward approach to improving performance for horses and riders alike. In addition to being a nationally recognized educator about equine conditioning and gymnastic development, she is an accomplished interdisciplinary rider, trainer and athlete. She is the author of 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider, and Equine Fitness.
