How do you work a horse into an outline?

There is no way to fully explain in a short piece how to get a horse working in an outline. A great deal has to come together, both in you as the rider and in the horse.

• The rider needs a good seat and balance
• The rider needs to give correct aids and communicate with the horse in the right way
• The rider needs to understand how the horse's body works, how it feels and how the horse looks when it is using its body correctly (anatomy and biomechanics)
• The horse needs to have been trained correctly and be strong enough to carry its rider

Many riders believe that the horse is in an outline once it drops its head and pushes on with the hind legs. More often than not, that is wrong. A horse works in a correct outline when it brings its whole body with it and lifts its ribcage.

I recommend reading Ridhandboken 1, the Swedish Equestrian Federation's official manual, which sets out the scales of training and outline clearly, with illustrations. UK readers will find the same scales of training covered in BHS and British Dressage material. Good luck!