• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Murdoch Method

Horseback Riding Instruction Redefined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About
    • About Wendy Murdoch
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Reviews
  • Clinics
    • Clinic Schedule
    • Types of Clinics
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Clinic Request Form
    • Participant Feedback
    • Private Intensives
  • SURE FOOT
    • SURE FOOT Pads – Where to Start?
    • BUY SURE FOOT
    • Register Pads
    • SURE FOOT Videos
    • SURE FOOT Case Studies
    • SURE FOOT FAQs
    • Find A Practitioner
    • Online Courses
  • Resources
    • Murdoch Minutes
    • Free Video Lessons
    • In Wendy’s Library
    • Articles
    • Interviews
    • Recommended Books & DVDS
    • Blog
    • Follow Wendy’s Articles
    • Links
  • Shop
    • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
    • Webinars with Wendy
    • From Wendy Murdoch
    • Health
    • Rare Books
    • The Book Case
    • DVDs
    • Rider Aids
  • Safari
  • Contact
    • My Account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
Home / Murdoch Minutes / Murdoch Minute No. 15: Have A Ball Finding Your Horse’s Forward Movement

Murdoch Minute No. 15: Have A Ball Finding Your Horse’s Forward Movement

by Wendy Murdoch

Many riders have difficulty getting their horse to go forward. They try pumping with their seat; kicking, squeezing, spurs, whips and any other means at their disposal but the horse still won’t go. While it is true that you may need some of these aids on a lazy horse the answer may not be what you are doing but how you re doing it. If you want the horse to go forward you need to take the handbrake off your legs and seat.

Photo 1. The rider is rolling the ball sideways which will cause the horse to waddle instead of march forward.
Photo 1. The rider is rolling the ball sideways which will cause the horse to waddle instead of march forward.

First I want to explain the idea of going forward. Simply moving is not necessarily going forward. Susan Harris, in The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship Intermediate Horsemanship C Level, gives a good clear description of free forward moment; “In free forward movement he [the horse] is willing to move forward easily from a light leg aid, and he uses his body well when he moves. A pony that lacks free forward movement might act lazy, stubborn, or reluctant to move; or he may move with short, ‘sticky’ strides.” Ms. Harris continues to describe a horse in free forward movement as “not fast but long even strides, using his hindquarters, back and muscles freely with each stride. It also means that he wants to go forward and to do what you ask but is calm and relaxed about it.”

Photo 2. The rider is pushing the ball backwards. This is like a hand brake blocking the horse's forward movement. Notice that the knees are quite straight and the feet are bracing against the ground.
Photo 2. The rider is pushing the ball backwards. This is like a hand brake blocking the horse’s forward movement. Notice that the knees are quite straight and the feet are bracing against the ground.

So how is free forward movement accomplished? The first thing we need to check is whether your seat and legs are acting like the hand brake preventing your horse from moving. To do this you will need an Equiball™ or any appropriately sized exercise ball. The size is important. You want a 90∞ angle at the back of your knee. If the angle is too big or small you will not feel what I am describing.

Make sure your feet are hip width apart. Do not try to straddle the ball. Begin to roll the ball. What direction did you choose first? Notice if it is a side-to-side or forward and backward movement. If it is sideways this may be a big reason why you horse won’t go forward! When your seat is constantly moving to the left and right the horse has to try and stay under you. This is like trying to balance a jar on the top of your head that is weaving all over. In order for the horse to go forward we need to direct our seat forward.

Photo 3. The rider is allowing the horse to move forward by letting the knees bend so that the angle is less than 90. In the saddle the knees would move slightly forward down each stride.
Photo 3. The rider is allowing the horse to move forward by letting the knees bend so that the angle is less than 90. In the saddle the knees would move slightly forward down each stride.

Now begin to roll the ball forward and back. Notice if you want to roll the ball more forward (angle of the knee decreasing from 90∞) or back (angle at the back of the knee increasing more than 90∞). If you unconsciously roll the ball more back than forward you may be making it hard for your horse to move forward. Every time you roll the ball backwards you are straightening your knees and bracing slightly against the ground. If you are doing this in the saddle you will be pushing against your stirrups with your knees straightening instead of bending. This will press your seat back in the saddle instead of directing it forward. It is like having your foot on the brake and then trying to stomp on the accelerator.

Now make a conscious effort to let the ball roll forward than back. Return to the midpoint where your knees are at 90∞ and then roll forward again, decreasing the angle at the back of your knees. Find a rhythm.

Applying this movement to the saddle means that your knees will move slightly forward and down each stride. This is a very small but important movement as it takes the handbrake off your seat and tells your horse your want him to move forward. Then your other aids will have a more positive effect.

Use this Murdoch Minute as a ‘body position self-check’ to ensure that you are allowing your horse to move forward before demanding him to do so. Working movements out on the ball can really improve your riding since the ball is ‘objective’ and only does what you do! For more exercises on the ball check out my Ride Like A Natural DVD #3 Get on the Equiball™. And remember – enjoy the ride!

Filed Under: Murdoch Minutes

Primary Sidebar

Your Cart

Article Categories

  • Courses & Workshops
  • Horseback Riding Video Lessons
  • Horseback Safari
  • In Wendy's Library
  • Interviews
  • Murdoch Minutes
  • Past Event Archive
  • Podcast
  • Related Equine Articles
  • Reviews
  • SURE FOOT Case Studies
  • SURE FOOT Videos
  • Tails from the Trail
  • Top News
  • Uncategorized

Performance Resources

  • Downloadable Products
  • DVDs
  • FREE Downloads
  • From Wendy Murdoch
  • Health
  • Online Courses
  • Rare Books
  • Rider Aids
  • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
  • The Book Case
  • Webinars with Wendy

Quick Links

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Register SURE FOOT
  • My Account
  • Checkout
  • Cart

Footer

RIDE WITH WENDY MURDOCH

ALL ABOUT SURE FOOT

STABILIZATION! IT’S AT OUR CORE


Copyright © 2025 The Murdoch Method LLC
All trademarks, photographs, and text on this website are the property of The Murdoch Method, LLC.
Any unauthorized use is expressly prohibited.
Privacy + Terms & Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT