Required Materials:
One strap with a width of 8 or 10 cm.
Effect & Benefits:
The basic body strap is a gentle way to introduce horses to wearing a body strap. It is especially suitable for horses with tension at the base of the neck and in the shoulders, horses that carry their heads high, or those that tend to lean on the forehand. The gentle pressure can encourage the horse to lower its head and adopt a more relaxed posture or movement.
Application:
- Stand on the left side of the horse.
- Keep about two-thirds of the strap rolled up and pass the loose end under the neck with your left hand to your right hand.
- Receive the end over the withers so that the loose end reaches down to the left elbow joint.
- Unroll the rest of the strap and tie the ends together in a knot that is easy to undo.
- Make sure the strap lies flat — in front, just above the elbow joint, and in the back, at the end of the withers.
Observations:
Many horses respond immediately to the gentle pressure by lowering their heads.
The slight pressure at the base of the neck can activate the horse’s natural seeking reflex and promote a more relaxed posture.
Important Notes:
- The strap should not be too tight or too loose — it should neither cut in nor hang down.
Variations & Advanced Use:
The basic body strap forms the foundation for various other strap techniques, such as the bridge body strap, the half body strap, and the figure-eight body strap.
If the horse’s posture does not change with the strap alone, additional groundwork exercises can help improve balance and relaxation.
This strap can also be used in combination with a saddle — simply attach the ends to the front rings of the saddle.
