Cord work is a great way to improve the horse’s top line. Without the burden of the rider’s weight, the horse can easily find a rhythmic, relaxed and balanced way of moving. The circle naturally encourages a deeper step toward the horse’s center of gravity with the inner hind leg, causing a cyclic action of the muscle ring. But the effectiveness of the cord work, of course, depends on the skills of the cord, who works with the horse. Allowing a horse to rush with a reverse order, littered with a nape, a fallen shoulder or backside is a futile and often also harmful exercise for the horse. Continue reading →