This is a continuation of my post The Start of Something That Will Last. One of the factors that motivated me to focus on my lower leg within the development of my system was the increase in the amount of times I heard my students say that they were using their leg but getting no response from the horse. Riders would get frustrated and blame the horse, I would get frustrated and blame the rider and/or the horse, and the horse would blame no one, but tune all of us out. There simply had to be better way. Horses are supposed to move away from a rider’s leg pressure. This is not necessarily something they instinctively know. It is something that must first be taught to the horse and then reinforced for the remainder of its riding career. While working with Presto, I found the alternating leg that followed his natural movement at the walk allowed me to reinforce Presto’s training about moving off of my leg. By improving the timing of my leg, I gained an almost superhero strength to communicate with him. While we always want to go straight, it was time to add some turns. In my mind, it made sense that if I increased leg pressure in one leg more than the other, Presto would move away from that leg pressure and turn. Imagine my surprise when I did this and nothing happened. As I tried it again, I did what I often encourage my riders to do. I “observed” my own aids and realized that when I focused on the outside leg pressure increasing, I forgot about my inside leg’s job and therefore stopped communicating anything to Presto – hence no response. This time I isolated my outside leg (and made it stronger), kept the alternating rhythm of the lower leg (and allowed the inside leg to be softer), then added in visualizing what I wanted (a turn) and Presto instantly responded. The best part? He never lost forward impulsion or rhythm throughout the turn. We set about practicing turns that allowed me to commit my correct lower leg aids during the approach , the turn and the line away to muscle memory. With a goal to practice it right instead of wrong, I focused on planning in advance where I wanted the turn to be in a way that set both Presto and I up to succeed. Ready to get started practicing turns? It may be easiest with a turn that cuts across the ring. Make sure that there is plenty of time after the turn to ensure straightness from your leg and time to prepare for the turn either in the same or opposite direction. Be careful not to rush the aids or stop communicating your intention to your horse. Try a serpentine next. Serpentines allow for lots of practice on turns and straight lines to help balance the horse. Finally, practice a proper half-turn that begins with a small round half circle and ends with a straight line back towards the original track. It is important to avoid closing your leg on your horse's side and leaving it there for prolonged periods of time. Horses tend to lean into a consistent pressure which is the opposite of the goal to have the horse move away from your leg pressure. At this point your hands should be in the correct location with a straight line from your bent, soft elbow through your wrists and hands to the corners of your horse's mouth. Your hands should also be at least the width of your horse's mouth. Unsure what that is? Before you put your horse's bridle on hold your hands up to the bit. That is approximately how wide your hands should be apart. Remember, they should never be closer together than that, but they can always be a little further apart and not have a negative effect on the horse's mouth. Don’t forget, whether you are just learning to ride, experienced or somewhere in between it always takes time to create muscle memory. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your lower leg. I love the comments and encourage you to continue to share your thoughts or questions.
1 Comment
Becky Huddleston
12/11/2015 04:41:55 am
I love that you have put these concepts into writing! Thank you!
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Megan Taylor
Horses were my first true love and two bay horses stand out as having a significant impact on my life. As a student, rider, owner, trainer and coach I have had the opportunity to experience horses from every side. These experiences have shaped my training system for riders and horses that creates a positive working relationship between both. Archives
August 2018
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