leg position for rein back and leg yield

[dunrobin_topper]

I previously posted a question about rein back and how i thought i was giving mixed messages to my lad. Well now he can back up much more easily but i found he generally understands it more if i raise my hands together just slightly higher than i normally carry them. Is this ok?? Also is it wrong to over exagerate my leg movement, I had a lesson last week and the RI said i needed in general to move my leg back a little.So now i feel after practicing this when i ask for rein back i moved my leg a little more further back and now i feel like its too much! How much should you move your leg away from the girth?

Again for leg yield, i have been trying this moving from the inside of the school to the outside towards the fence (maybe 2m if that!) and had my inside leg asking him to move over. Again where should my leg be? I have been raising my hands more, with my outside one inviting him over. Is this correct? I know its hard to visualise it when reading a thread so please correct me as ive only been shown once by a RI and not on my own pony!

Thanks!

[Fanshawe]

Personally I don't move my leg back for rein back- just close the hand to restrict forward movement(in the same position as normal), put weight down through stirrups, body weight slightly back apply the leg and voila!:)

As for leg yield lots of people will tell you that you need an instructor to teach you and to a large extend I'd agree- however I've never found an instructor who teaches it the way I have been so here is mine!

When the inside fore leg is going forward apply the inside leg firmly, then soft when the outside leg is going foward. Initially the firm will need to be very firm and then when they get the idea you can ease off on the firmness. The leg is always in the same position as normal and the reins should stay at the same level. The outside rein is slightly away from the neck (negligible really)but the majority of the work comes from your legs as this relates to what his legs are doing. Watch what you are doing with your body and the weight in your seatbones to make sure you don't get a wonky movement!

The other thing is that if you are not forcing him or causing him pain (depends on how high you raise your hands as to whether it is uncomfortable for him) and you have found a technique that he responds to then you may find that over time you can refine it so it is not so obvious. If it works and you are both happy then keep going!

[Bay Mare]

For rein back I'd incline my body forwards slightly and have my legs just behind the girth.

To help with rein back I'd teach from the ground first with voice aids (and clicker) and then use them in conjunction with other aids on board.

For leg yield I would support with the outside rein, slightly lift the inside hand and use the inside leg just behind the girth with the swing of the belly. Again though I would teach this from the ground first, probably in hand so that I could use my hand in place of the leg.

[pineapple]

with the rein back i do a square halt and then just use a light rein aid and sort of move my weight forwards. but when you are teaching rein back then you may need to use the leg aid at first... i dont see why u need to move it backwards though.. i was taught this way as well but i never move it back now.

also in the leg yeild it can be easier to train the horse to move side ways towards the fence at first because horses tend to feel more comfortable next to the fence.....and naturally drift that way anyway.

[dressagexreo]

ill try to put it really simple for you :)

As a rule if on curved line or basic lateral movement, outisde should be positioned further back then your inside.. your inside leg needs to be like toe at the girth id say. Your inside rein on curved line can be slightly higher... if on straight line just working in complete alignement your legs should be positioned under your hips but even. and your hands should be dead even.

Im not a fan of lifting hands... it allows the horse to run under your seat. and your inside rein should NEVER be behind your outside. i like positioning my hands like so i feel like i can touch each side of the wither at any time.

hope i helped :)

JaclynXReo

[Dancinglite]

My reinbacks are done from the forward walk.

[IrisSilverMoon]

My reinbacks are done from the forward walk.

you'd have to do some from a halt though right? Because there are a few tests which ask you to halt and then rein back. You always have to make sure you halt for enough time to make a distinction between when that movement happens and the rein back happens.

its not a good idea to always go from walking straight to backing or the horse will start to anticipate that when you are doing a test where you need to halt for a minute before backing, likewise you dont' always want to halt, sometimes you want the fast backing, it gets a bit more energy going and keeps the horse on its toes.

[Dancinglite]

Not all dressage training is done just for tests. There are some who train dressage for the sole purpose of having a trained horse and having the fun doing it for just that purpose.

[IrisSilverMoon]

true, and i think my background is a testimant to that though it is important to point out some of the problems that can arise if you are trying to do dressage tests. Personally i don't want my horse to necessarily be anticipating i'm going to do something EVERYtime, so while i will go straight into backing from some form of forward movement quite a bit, i don't do it everytime. (especially if i'm getting ready for a show)

[Dancinglite]

so while i will go straight into backing from some form of forward movement quite a bit, i don't do it everytime. (especially if i'm getting ready for a show)


Neither do I but I teach the backup from the forward walk.