This is a very brief and cursory explanation I believe we need to understand how to train softness in a horse. I could go on in much more depth about these concepts. However, now that you have a rudimentary understanding of lightness and softness, the next post will try to cover the principles of teaching softness to a horse.
TRANSITIONS
WHY I USE A FLAG IN TRAINING
HOLD ON KIV
STRAIGHTNESS AND EMOTIONS
While a horse is emotionally anxious I know there are many ways we can make crookedness uncomfortable enough to force its body to work with a fair degree of straightness. But I don’t believe that when a horse is emotionally anxious it can find straightness itself - we have to impose it. A chronically troubled horse will always be chronically crooked.