heather

[Chris]

Heather thanks for writing on the seat and weight aids. I have another question, when we want to turn, I know we put our outside leg slightly behind the girth, however what do we do with it when it is there? Do we squeeze or do we just put it there?

[Heather]

When turning, Chris, you do squeeze with the outside leg. Make very sure that it is not 'locked on squeeze' which makes the horse push back against your leg. If you have ever had a horse stand on your foot and tried to push him off, you will know what I mean. horses react to solid pressure by leaning harder into it. Use as intermittent squeeze, by tightening then releasing your calf muscle.

When you use the outside leg behind the girth to instigate the canter stride, there should not be the same amount of pressure. If later on, you ride much better schooled horses who are trained to do lateral work (where the horse moves forwards and sideways, as in half pass) the horse will react to the outside leg by moving his quarters inwards. Learn to use the inside leg more predominantly, at the girth when giving the canter aid, just moving the outside leg back without much pressure. This will encoursge the horse to step under with the inside hindleg, giving you a better transition.

Heather