Proper use of rein and leg aids

[Mee]

Let's just say, for example, that I am tracking left and planning on making a left turn out of the corner to jump a line down the diagnal. My horse always likes to bow his right shoulder out and not stay straight. Can someone explain in minute detail the most correct and effective way to apply leg and hand aids to keep him tracking straight on the same track my eye is trying to follow?

Smiles, Mee

[2DaPoint]

Without knowing the exact temperament and training of your horse, here's what I would say.

OUTSIDE aids!
Of course, your initial response is to take on the inside rein to begin the turn.
At that point, if his shoulder starts to "pop out" then you absolutely need to bring in the supporting cast of outside rein and leg.

You need to "close the door" on the bulge and the direction of his body.

Outside leg against his ribcage to push his body in the correct direction.
Outside rein either A) backward, as a half-halt to counter the effects of what the outside leg may have just done to his speed instead of his direction, or B) against his neck AND backward to completely cut off all possible escape out to the right.

At this point, if the "pop" is really extreme, you may also need to change your inside rein to an opening rein to give full and complete direction to the left.

Once turned, and on a straight path to the jump, don't forget to UN-turn!
A horse who is flexible enough to blob one direction might have a delayed response to all that right pushing and suddenly start wandering too far to the left extreme.

Hope this is what you were looking for.
KD

[mvp]

Yes, you need to "close the door on the bulging right shoulder" as the first poster said with your right hand and leg. But if you will pardon some dressage fussiness and philosophy, I think I can add something that will help.

First, you must always ride From Leg To Hand. So before you can contain a horse drifting out, you must create impulsion from behind with your leg. So, in general, leg occurs before hand. You cannot have more hand (or bit) than you have leg.

If I were riding your left hand turn, it would look like:

Look left.

Take a feel with my Left leg.

Take a feel with my left hand, just a split second after the leg.

At the point, I have let him know that we are going to turn left. It will sound as if I have asked him to drift right, but I have also engaged the left hind. That's what you ultimately want. Think about "throwing your horse" from your inside leg and catching him in your outside hand.

Then I "catch him" with my outside aids. If my horse is too forward, I'll use more hand. In this case, Left leg to Right hand. If I don't want to lessen his pace or he likes to fall behind my leg, I'll use Left leg and Left hand.

I know, it sounds complicated. Just remember that good turns come from the inside hind leg and this will start to make sense.

[Mee]

I'm visualizing the use of the concept of riding leg to hand now, and thanks for the detail in your descriptions. I feel like I'm finally starting to get this concept while riding, but these explanations are wonderful. I'm one of those people who really have to understand in my head before I can do with my body. I can't wait for tonight when I go ride.

Smiles, Mee

[Vixenish]

I was wondering if I wrote this post in my sleep, as I've been working on this very issue for weeks w/ my greenie. (Also, it said it was written by "Mee" further adding to my confusion :) )

Thanks for the "throwing with your inside aids, catching with your outside aids". I like that visual. Can't wait to try it out!

[findeight]

Short, non technical answer-opening outside (Right) rein and STEP OUT on that outside (Right) iron. Ride the outside of the horse not the inside. Watch that you are not using an inside, indirect rein, which will overbend him in and allow that outside shoulder to bulge. Works for lead changes too, outside aids.

Couple of things you can try...come off that corner onto the diagonal and counter bend him, or turn RIGHT. He's anticipating what is next and trying to cheat you. Mix it up, avoid courses, just do parts of courses. He wants to turn left, you turn right. Stuff like that.

[JB]

Start with the outside aids to begin with so you don't get the bulging shoulder :winkgrin:

This means - working on this every day, every flat session, every flat stride between jumps, it's just part of riding. Pulling the horse around with the inside rein just invites all sorts of issues, so just never do it to begin with :)

[lesson junkie]

Just wanted to add my .02 to mvp's post-the secret is to make sure you look first-lift your eye, make sure you are sitting up, and find your track. Then you can begin the technical application of the aids to help the horse around the turn.

If I am late to see my path, my big Dutch tanker barge has drifted to the outside, and any straight line out of the corner to the fence is gone!

[meupatdoes]

If he is bowing out to the right, counter bend in the turn.

Right leg, right rein, and pilot him 'through/around the front of' your inside leg like you are turning a motorboat. When he's straight and level keep a hair of counterbend on the way in but add inside leg to send him forward down the shoot.

If he is not responsive enough to your right leg to get this done turns on the forehand/haunches and some leg yielding is in order to make the point before the next attempt.

The hole you are describing is in the outside leg response.

[Mee]

Hi All,

Thank you so much for all of the great feedback, and I had a wonderful ride tonight. I feel like the light bulb is turning on with the leg to hand concept. Yeah!!!! I was able to control my pace, keep a rhythm, and keep the horse perfectly straight tonight. I can also report that I was not leaning out because I stuck on like glue after the chicken little horse pulled a dirty stop. I feel like I'm on cloud nine tonight.

Smiles, Mee