Pole grids are incredibly popular and it is possible to use certain patterns to improve a horse’s suppleness and accuracy, as well as his straightness. But why is it so important that a horse is straight when he’s being ridden. Straightness is linked to symmetry — a horse needs to move with as close to equal symmetry as possible with both sides of his body. If he’s uneven, and therefore not moving in a straight line when he has a rider on board, there will be problems as his training advances. This is because a horse who is inherently wonky underneath his rider won’t be able to receive the aids evenly.
