Finding Balance for the One-Sided Horse

By Konstanze Krüger

Finding Balance for the One-Sided Horse

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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‚Äô 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‚Äôs 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.

Konstanze Krüger

Konstanze Krüger is a professor for equine management at the college of Nürtingen and a specialist for the social intelligence of horses. The sensitive thoroughbreds taught her that nervous system and brain dictate laterality.Isabell Marr wrote her doctoral thesis on laterality of horses in connection with the horses’ well-being. Active for many years between science and practice, she specializes in horse behavior, communication and learning habits.Kate Farmer studied psychology in Scotland. When the American horse trainer Richard Thompson directed her attention to the differences in horse behavior on the left versus the right side, she became fascinated by the subject and began her scientific exploration of the matter.