"In front of the leg"

[Mary Poppins]

What you understand by the term "In front of the leg"?

[cwb]

Responding instantly to the lightest of leg aids - almost all you have to do is "think" the aid!

[Berry]

I would say a horse that responds willingly to a light leg aid, but also stays in the same gait at the same pace without you having to use your leg again to keep the horse going. If a horse is in front of the leg you shouldn't have to 'nag' with your aids to keep it going - it should until you ask it to stop! In other words a horse which is a pleasure to ride :D

[Element]

Responding instantly to the lightest of leg aids - almost all you have to do is "think" the aid!

I agree :)

[aussieannie]

What you understand by the term "In front of the leg"?

turbo charged does he have power steering and disc brakes as well.

[Skib]

Glad you asked.
To me it is one of those meaningless and unhelpful equestrian terms.
Much depends on the context.
Were you told this in a lesson? And if so, what were you doing at the time?
And was the expression being used about a specific horse who is or is not in front of the leg,
or in a negative sense about your riding of a particular horse?
If RIs simply want you to work transitions on a horse to teach him to respond to the lightest leg aids, they should say so - and give you detailed instructions how to do this.
The words in front are quite vague as well. Because they are used both for space and time.
Like a rider being in front of or behind the movement. Sometimes I am told I am one, sometimes the other (a compliment) but I have no idea what I am doing that is either different or correct.

[eml]

I agree with Skib here that this is one of these vague terms that often students pick up and repeat parrot fashion when asked to assess a horse. My particular hate is 'off the leg' why not just say responsive?

Behind and in front of the motion is best understood by riders when you ask them to change position and then describe what has altered. They are both terms about being unbalanced in different ways.

I could happily start a campaign for 'Real English' in teaching :D