Finding Balance for the One-Sided Horse

Help your horse find balance and better overall wellbeing through understanding body asymmetry, motor laterality, sensory laterality, and more–for riders and horse people of all disciplines and ability levels.

Whether you are a rider or handle horses in any other capacity, one-sidedness or laterality - the preference of horses for one side – is something you encounter daily, even if you might not be aware of it yet. Have you ever noticed a difference in leading your horse on one side versus the other? This is an example of where you can detect your horse’s laterality. From your daily handling of your horse to groundwork to training to ridden activities, laterality plays a key role. Understanding one-sidedness can offer a fascinating insight into your horse’s brain, body, and personality. In Finding Balance for the One-Sided Horse, important recent research findings are paired with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful advice. You’ll learn about:

• Body Asymmetry: Horses are curved along the longitudinal line, with an uneven distribution of the organs. Other physical features (e.g., whorls) are developed asymmetrically as well.

• Motor Laterality: Horses’ limbs on the right and on the left differ in dexterity, strength, and utilization. The legs are used differently for balance, support, or initiation of movement.

• Sensory laterality: Horses use their left and right sensory organs, their ears, eyes, nostrils, and sense of touch, for different purposes and in different situations.

• Laterality of the brain: A horse’s brain processes information mainly in its left or right hemisphere depending on certain situations.

No matter what your discipline or skill level, this book will help you learn how to test and understand one-sidedness in daily handling, communication, and training. In gaining an understanding of laterality, you will see your horse through different eyes and will understand him or her in new ways, thus fostering a deeper and more productive relationship.