Teaching leg yield

[Keket]

So Topaz is at the stage that we can get a nice forward walk and trot from her while still keeping her under control. I'm also working on side-passing (or full pass as it's known in dressage) with her by facing her to a wall and pressing her over with my leg until she steps over. She does quite well going to one side, not so well to the other, but we're working on that.

Now, how do I combine the forward with the over to get a proper leg yield? I've ridden a leg yield so I know what to do, but only on a school-master type. My worry is that when I put my inside leg on to ask her to move over, she'll move straight over with no forward motion.

[MajorityRules]

I'm not sure I understand fully what you mean, But If I do, I walk forward up the middle of the school, and while doing so, I put on my inside leg and neck rein somwhat (But I might be wrong, I taught myself), and work on them going towards the fence. and when she slows, I 'click' to her to let her know she's gotta keep going.

[KateWooten]

The trick to it at the start is to ask for very little, and reward the slightest try. So, it's easiest if you turn slightly early from a corner, so you're a couple of feet from the track... then be very obvious and push her over with your leg .. and get the timing right too, ask her to move over just as that inside hind comes up off the ground ... before it swings forward. It's easy to get that right, picture the horse's barrel swinging in time with his walk, it will swing to left, as the right hind is moving forward - and that's when you want to influence the right hind. So, if you're on the right track, asking her to move over with your right leg, use it in time with her belly swinging the way you want her right leg to move.

hmmmm... I had two attempts at that, and it still isn't clear ... .it's a pain to explain, but so easy to feel !

[Keket]

Tried it today because she was in a working mood and her side-passing was the best it's ever been, so we made an attempt at leg-yielding. It wasn't horrible. I'm not entirely sure what she was doing with her legs, if she was crossing over properly, but we were moving in the proper direction. :)