Straightness training, is this schooling by another name?

milliepops

milliepops

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OK, forgive my ignorance but this comes up on here from time to time, and has been suggested for my old girl who will no longer compete BD.

I've been trying to look into it but being confined to very slow mobile internet since, ooh, April, it's hard to watch the videos.

What I can't seem to work out is how it is different to basic schooling with a sensitive thinking rider/trainer?

Every time I work or ride my horses, I want to feel the resistances, the asymmetries, etc, and work to address them. All my sessions, every day, are about straightness, suppleness, softness, engagement and throughness etc regardless of the actual exercises we are using or developing. Without addressing those weaknesses you can't train a horse anyway, you're just papering over cracks. I prefer to work in the saddle to in-hand because you can feel through all of your body rather than just looking with your eyes.

What am I missing out on?
 
I also looked into it after seeing it mentioned a lot.

Imho it is just "correct training" whether that be on the ground or in the saddle :)
 
It looks like good marketing to me, although I'm all for anything that breaks down good training into something that can be understood but someone who doesn't have access to a sympathetic trainer. I prefer the personal touch to videos myself!
 
Yup it is, just broken into an easier fashion for those of us without access to a good trainer. Having just found one of those in the last couple of years I probably wasn't aware of all the cracks :p. I had previously never had enough input on me and how I influence the horse, rather than just working on the horse if that makes sense.
I wanted to do the in hand side because of F's age and issues and finding anyone to actually teach me how to do that properly with my horse was a bit of a nightmare.
 
I think the quality of a lot of the riding you see demonstrates that gap quite well.

And that wasn't because I wasn't having lessons with qualified people, I was and more than AI, but I think we missed out some really key stuff and I discovered I had spent a few years restricting him unnecessarily. So me being shown what was 'right' from the ground did help while learning how subtle I could be was very helpful, because I had missed that concept somewhere along the line.
 
It is also doing a fair job of showing some pirellites there is a different way ;) and it is marketed in a similar fashion because, well, it worked for parelli didn't it!
 
It is correct schooling by another name. A horse should always be "straight" even if it is going round a corner/on the lunge/doing exercises as well as when being in a straight line. But easy to know the theory, not quite so easy in practice.
 
I also looked into this as a few people kept saying how much of a revelation it was, I was also slightly disappointed that it was just schooling/correct training.

That said, I can see why it is popular - it is broken down into easy to understand chunks and concepts, and I think a lot of good trainers arent necessarily good teachers (eg articulating a point to a student).

I will though be incorporating some of the inhand work with my next youngster, prior to backing, in a different way that I usually would.
 
I think it's great for people who don't have access to a good trainer. Easy to understand and follow - bite size chunks and all that. Yes, great marketing but if it helps people to gain a better understanding about biomechanics and locomotion then what's wrong with that?

Not everybody has hundreds of years experience working with horses and being taught by amazing trainers etc.

there really aren't that many people teaching good groundwork, lunging and in-hand skills. In hand work can be very beneficial, not everyone likes it and that's fine but if it is something you want to do then good in-hand trainers are even harder to find than good riding instructors.

Although I haven't actually signed up myself I can see the benefit and I am currently nursing a horse back to ridden work using similar methods after an SI injury.

Having said that I don't think it's the best 'classical' work I've seen, some of the more advanced horses don't really lift through the wither and base of neck as I would like to see but for 'straightness' at a more basic level I do think it can be helpful
 
Yes, it's just correct training that is well packaged. However, sometimes it's nice to have something explained in a basic way where you can look at a pic and read about it, without worrying about controlling the horse underneath you too. I actually like the straightness training free book you can download. It's basic but it's quite interesting and it does give you a little something to think about.

As samlf says, it's about having it broken down into easier to understand concepts. TBH if it gets more people thinking about how to correctly train a horse then it can't be a bad thing, no matter how it is packaged.
 
Ah I'm not disappointed, I'm pleased! I was thinking perhaps I was missing something seeing as I don't have the bandwidth to get stuck into the videos.

I think it's good to provide structure for people who would struggle with it on their own.
 
milliepops said:
Ah I'm not disappointed, I'm pleased! I was thinking perhaps I was missing something seeing as I don't have the bandwidth to get stuck into the videos.

I think it's good to provide structure for people who would struggle with it on their own.
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I actually quite like the ebook as the illustrations helped me to visualise things better. I like to be able to at least understand in my head what I'm aiming for as developing feel takes infinitely longer! I do have access to excellent, regular training and must admit I haven't much looked at the ST book since I changed to the trainer I have now, but before that I was struggling a bit to know if I was doing the right thing so it helped me a lot then.
 
And Wheels , I'm not being sniffy about it, this is absolutely not an attack on people who are interested or following it. It was a genuine question.

Wtf has happened to the mobile version of HHO btw? It's almost unusable :(
 
I've started doing it with mine this summer following a very wonky diagnosis that was making him lame. It's with a classical instructor, not following the straightness training as such. For example I don't want to buy a special cavesson that I think has a chain round the nose, I'll just do the in hand work in a bridle.

I've not had heaps of lessons over the years, time and money constraints, bit I've had enough with PC instructors and supposed dressage pros (that are very popular!) to know that my current instructor is the only one who's taught me this way.

There's none of the 'push him on and through up to the bridke' or 'widen your hands' that I've heard so much before that does not work for my horse.

Yes it's just doing things properly, but as others have said, given the riding you've seen in public is it any surprise that most people don't have access to a proper trainer? Trouble is, when you don't know to do things the right way, or do you ask? The local expert? More often than not are complete ****.

This is a big bugbear of mine! At least social media is good for something :)
 
milliepops said:
And Wheels , I'm not being sniffy about it, this is absolutely not an attack on people who are interested or following it. It was a genuine question.

Wtf has happened to the mobile version of HHO btw? It's almost unusable :(
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Oh no I wouldn't accuse you of being sniffy milliepops :D
 
chestnut cob said:
Yes, it's just correct training that is well packaged. However, sometimes it's nice to have something explained in a basic way where you can look at a pic and read about it, without worrying about controlling the horse underneath you too. I actually like the straightness training free book you can download. It's basic but it's quite interesting and it does give you a little something to think about.

As samlf says, it's about having it broken down into easier to understand concepts. TBH if it gets more people thinking about how to correctly train a horse then it can't be a bad thing, no matter how it is packaged.
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I quite like the look of it too. I haven't gotten round to doing much of it but it looks like a handy way of breaking down the exercises etc.
 
chestnut cob said:
I actually quite like the ebook as the illustrations helped me to visualise things better. I like to be able to at least understand in my head what I'm aiming for as developing feel takes infinitely longer! I do have access to excellent, regular training and must admit I haven't much looked at the ST book since I changed to the trainer I have now, but before that I was struggling a bit to know if I was doing the right thing so it helped me a lot then.
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Thanks all, helpful discussion and interesting as always to hear other people's views and experiences :)

Totally agree CC it can be very hard to develop a feel for something, the good news for people starting the journey is that it's easier the next time you try, having done it once... though as you go up the levels there's more to learn and feel of course :o
For me, it's what makes training horses so interesting, and as sf says much more so than the transactional instructions that many lessons can consist of. Chicken and egg, sometimes, in fairness - until the horse is performing *something* it's hard to learn what's right about it and what isn't, but you really need an enquiring mind and ideally a trainer who is interested in explaining this stuff.
 
It's not something I've considered, but as a person who really has zero natural talent or feel (I can't even walk in a straight line without falling over lol) having it all broken down like that is appealing.
 
stencilface said:
I've started doing it with mine this summer following a very wonky diagnosis that was making him lame. It's with a classical instructor, not following the straightness training as such. For example I don't want to buy a special cavesson that I think has a chain round the nose, I'll just do the in hand work in a bridle.

I've not had heaps of lessons over the years, time and money constraints, bit I've had enough with PC instructors and supposed dressage pros (that are very popular!) to know that my current instructor is the only one who's taught me this way.

There's none of the 'push him on and through up to the bridke' or 'widen your hands' that I've heard so much before that does not work for my horse.

Yes it's just doing things properly, but as others have said, given the riding you've seen in public is it any surprise that most people don't have access to a proper trainer? Trouble is, when you don't know to do things the right way, or do you ask? The local expert? More often than not are complete ****.

This is a big bugbear of mine! At least social media is good for something :)
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I rather liked the look of the cavesson. That is one item that is not in my extensive tack box. The lunging cavessons on sale always seem so incredibly heavy and clumsey. The one in the "straightness" book looks nice and light. It would have to have metal inside the leather, as just leather could easily break. I use a headcollar for lunging, although I am aware that it is not always correct or convenient to use.

As for the content - I have heard this explanation before, of the inside hindleg coming up and under, but never before explained so clearly.
 
They have a metal chain inside covered in leather. I also use a headcollar for lungeing.

I bought just a noseband of the chain/leather combo but actually I think iirc kramer equestrian seems to do the whole caboodle for £35ish now.

I do and have been taught to do inhand work in a bridle, and did try, and fail with the clumpiness of a standard cavesson but with the bridle we do always slightly have the issue of him returning to his 'normal' of curling behind the bit so it was nice to have the chance to take that out of the equation but still give clear signals. I use both now :)
 
Ride your horse forward and keep it straight .
That was on the end wall of a school were I trained .
All training works towards achieving straightness or correct alignment because of course horse we don't want horse straight all the time because you need to get round corners .

As for this straightness training thing it's a marketing tool IMO .
 
Only if you buy stuff, or decide to sign up to the courses! But IME there is absolutely no pressure to do so, if you just want to attend a lesson or two which is all many do there is no pressure to do anymore and all it did was give me access to someone who would teach in hand work locally rather than someone coming from devon to wiltshire very occasionally and only on a weekday when he was teaching others. IME those that I have come across previously that are willing to do the in hand side are not very good at working out how to teach others to do it, like a big classical secret shrouded in mystery. I have also learned a lot from just being able to go and watch others lessons which is handy when you don't have transport. I guess again it boils down to what you have had access to. If you spent most of your formative years in a fairly bin end riding school with unqualified instructors because it was the only exposure you could get as a teen it means the more refined side of riding is still a work in progress and I will embrace any help I can get.

I also always say that given that you start off on a circle the term 'straightness training' isn't wholly accurate given that it is more about getting the horse to bend equally and correctly.

I also meant to say earlier re doing stuff in hand, it is also useful when you are inherently bent, although not obvious when riding I have a long term twist across my body which although much improved by my own pilates is never going to completely resolve so enabling the pony to work correctly without me has only got to be a benefit and just made me more aware of both him and me.
 
Just thought I'd add to this again.

I went to the physio last week as have some low level low back pain that I don't want to get worse post pregnancy. She watched me walk up and down like a horse in front of the vet and when lying down determined that one leg was significantly shorter than the other. This was diagnosed as an issue with my left upper thigh (itb) and she spent a while grinding her elbow into it. I actually felt my leg get longer! I've know I've had a stiffer left hip/knee for a while but never thought anything of it! Turns out this might reduce my back pain, release my knee and hip as an upside give me longer legs and make me taller (I hope!) :D

So it's not just horses that are wonky :)
 
thank again all, I'm not remotely bothered about needing to buy stuff because as far as I can see, much of the content of ST is given away for free for self-study and you could use whatever tack you already had. It's not like the mega sales pitch that parelli turned into (ester I think you possibly shot yourself in the foot by mentioning them earlier, lol)

It's great to be able to go and watch lessons, I've done that a lot in the past and get a huge amount out of it. Not many other trainers advertise that as a learning opportunity so it tends to be tagging along with friends etc. One of the things I like about where I train is they actively encourage it so you get more bang for your buck ;)

And yes I'm wonky too, and an awareness of that is pretty important when you are trying to 'equalise' another wonky body, but I can't do all of that on the ground personally, because my horses and I have to learn how to be equal together despite built in one sidedness :D

I'm all for it - I'm riding some very very wonky horses at the moment and can see why their owners are struggling because when you are faced with a horse that just seems difficult to ride, it can be hard to start to unpick exactly WHAT is making it so difficult. It's almost always a lack of straightness, so anything that helps people chip away at that to enjoy their riding more is A Good Thing :)
 
I mentioned them because it is relevant and I wanted to point out that I don't sign up to that side of it. The structure in place for both students and instructors is seems very reminiscent of the man himself but equally I think at the end of the day that is just good business sense as it is a rather tried and tested strategy that he didn't do too badly out of! Some people are desperate for something to work towards, I am happy with learning for learnings sake while filtering out any of the associated 'fluff' ;).
 
stencilface said:
Just thought I'd add to this again.

I went to the physio last week as have some low level low back pain that I don't want to get worse post pregnancy. She watched me walk up and down like a horse in front of the vet and when lying down determined that one leg was significantly shorter than the other. This was diagnosed as an issue with my left upper thigh (itb) and she spent a while grinding her elbow into it. I actually felt my leg get longer! I've know I've had a stiffer left hip/knee for a while but never thought anything of it! Turns out this might reduce my back pain, release my knee and hip as an upside give me longer legs and make me taller (I hope!) :D

So it's not just horses that are wonky :)
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I found out I had one leg longer than the other when I got a pair of trouser altered! Physio for me next week after most recent fall. Making me taller would be a miracle!
 
SEL said:
I found out I had one leg longer than the other when I got a pair of trouser altered! Physio for me next week after most recent fall. Making me taller would be a miracle!
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It was agony! Seriously so painful, never had that before with any massage or physio visit!
 
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