...we observe in close to all horses when they come back from the field. It begins with a side step of the right hind leg. That is, viewed from behind one finds the right hind leg not stepping towards the center of weight (which is approx. the lowest point of the belly), or at least tracking the right front hoof. No, in most cases the right hind leg steps distinctly away from the center of weight, sometimes as much as the width of a hoof.
If start-up progressions are done correctly the hind legs even out and six weeks later demand no more special attention. Correct defines itself as walk in the shoulder-for plus long serpentines on which the horse learns to balance laterally, changing from shoulder-for left to shoulder-for right and back. The latter can be done in the trot as soon as the horses offer trot and in the position the horse chooses, preferably the traveling position. It pays to keep the horse well between the reins, directing it with an outside rein, playing softly with the jaw.
In the case of Pinochio (16) and Fabian (14) I did not return to this valued start-up progression, but introduced lateral movements on the spot and in motion and did not wait until the horse offered the trot. The result: today some three month later they still step short in the right hind leg. Proper procedures will be addressed again in the next unit starting in August.
