UnTracking the Hindquarters: The First Step Toward Relaxing the Mind

Most riders come to me believing the problems they see in their horses are physical. Stiffness. Resistance. Lack of progress. Sometimes even bucking, bolting, or heaviness in the reins.

While those things certainly show up in the body, they usually don’t start there.

In most cases, physical tension is simply the outward expression of what’s happening in the horse’s mind.

A mentally tight horse will always become a physically tight horse. We often describe this as a horse being “braced.” A braced horse isn’t being difficult—they’re being defensive. When a horse feels unsure, rushed, or confused, the body tightens to protect itself. That tension limits movement, blocks learning, and eventually shows up as behavioral or performance problems.

If we want lasting improvement, we have to address the mind first. And one of the most effective ways to do that is through purposeful movement—specifically, by freeing up the hindquarters.

Why the Hindquarters Matter

The hindquarters are the engine of the horse. They are also closely tied to the horse’s balance and sense of security. When the hindquarters are tight or restricted, the horse struggles to organize their body. When they struggle to organize their body, the mind becomes anxious or troubled.

Freeing up the hindquarters gives the horse an option other than bracing.

This isn’t about forcing movement or “making” something happen. It’s about offering the horse a way to move that creates relaxation rather than resistance.

When the hindquarters begin to move freely, the mind almost always follows.

What “Freed Up” Really Looks Like

This is where being specific matters.

A horse with freed-up hindquarters can take the inside hind leg and step it forward, smoothly and rhythmically, crossing in front of the outside hind leg. There is no rushing, no dragging, and no loss of balance. The movement stays soft and organized.

A simple way to see this is in a correct turn on the forehand. When done well, the horse remains calm, the rhythm stays even, and the hind legs step with clarity rather than hesitation.

This kind of movement tells you the horse is mentally present and physically available.

Movement Into Relaxation

One of the most common mistakes riders make is trying to relax a horse before they move. In reality, relaxation often comes through the movement.

When the hindquarters are encouraged to step, organize, and flow, tension has somewhere to go. The horse doesn’t need to brace because they aren’t being trapped or held together artificially.

This idea—movement into relaxation—is foundational to good horsemanship. It applies whether you’re working on the ground or riding, and it carries over into everything else you do with your horse.

Where Pivo Becomes a Powerful Tool

Identifying correct movement is one thing. Developing feel for it is another.

This is where video feedback can be invaluable.

Using Pivo, riders can clearly see whether the hindquarters are actually stepping through or if the horse is simply pivoting, leaning, or bracing through the body. Often, what we think is happening and what is actually happening are two very different things.

Being able to watch the movement back—especially alongside guidance from someone with thousands of hours of experience—can dramatically reduce frustration and confusion. It helps riders connect what they feel with what the horse is truly doing.

That clarity accelerates learning for both horse and rider.

Relaxation Changes Everything

When a horse becomes more relaxed mentally, their performance improves naturally. Movements become easier. Transitions get cleaner. The horse feels softer. Resistance fades without being forced.

More importantly, the relationship improves.

A relaxed horse is a thinking horse. And a thinking horse is one that can learn, progress, and stay sound—mentally and physically—over time.

This is why freeing up the hindquarters is often the first place I start. Not because it’s flashy, but because it works.

When the horse can move, the mind can soften.

And from there, everything else becomes possible.