Horse glossary
Line
A straight path in the arena.
In Spanish: Línea
What it means
A line is a straight path ridden from one point to another, such as down the middle of the arena or across it from corner to corner. Riders use named lines like the centerline, the quarter lines, and the long diagonal. In jumping, a "line" is two fences set a planned number of strides apart.
Why it matters
Riding straight is harder than it looks, because most horses naturally drift toward one side. Straight lines help build even strength in the horse and show whether the rider's aids are balanced.
Example
Look ahead to ride a straight line.
Try this
Before you turn onto a line, pick a target at the far end, like a letter or a fence post, and keep your eyes on it. Even pressure from both legs and both reins helps keep the horse between your aids.
Common mistake
Turning onto a line too late makes you overshoot it and wiggle back. Start your turn a little early so you land straight on the line from the first stride.