13/01/2026
some insightful comments here too in reaction to this useful article from Vet Physio Phyle, Of course saddle checks are partnof an investigation process when horses appear stiff under saddle- but remember this would be increased or sudden stiffness- some horses require help and flexion in their training if their ‘one sidedness’ has always been present.
Okay — breaking down one of my most common reasons for physiotherapy treatments.
Often times, owners or riders will say “I feel they’re tight on the left side of their body”. When I ask why, the response is usually “they really struggle on the left rein”.
When a horse struggles to bend either way, it is usually because the side of the horse’s body on the outside of the bend is experiencing dysfunction and tightness.
The outside of the body is then “shortened”, meaning the horse will fall in on turns, &/ find one rein significantly easier than the other. Other symptoms are; difficulty cantering one way, feeling like one of the riders legs is pushed out, poking of the jaw, asymmetrical hoof shape and more.
An important note here is that neither bend will be correct until your horse is symmetrical to bend each way. Just because they’re easier to bend one way, doesn’t mean that the body is actually functional; it will be likely due to the inside of the horse being more contracted and therefore positioned for “bend”.
Skipping over how I treat these cases (I will return at a later time with a post on this!), a few points on how exercises can help horses that experience one sided stiffness (of course after the cause has been investigated, identified and treated!!):
🐴 Instead of forcing the bend, counter flex your horse on their easier rein and yield the ribs inwards. This will help mobilise the ribs on the outside of the body, increasing flexibility and improving straightness.
🐴 Mobilise the pelvis — so many people reach for the neck, but if the pelvis can mobilise symmetrically to each side in quick succession, it can provide a basis for straightness and suppleness. Use transitions & & renvers on a figure of eight, progressing to counterflexing in each transition.
By trying to ask the horse to bend more, you will often be met with more bracing, so instead use gentle mobilisation work to loosen up and improve symmetry and function to both sides of the body.
