That extra inch...

[OlavS]

Hi,

Just wanted to tell about my lesson last night, as I finally got leg yield sorted!
See, I've never been any good at leg yield, or any of the sideways stuff (travers, etc). I've always tried to push the horse to the side with my calf/foot, just like the instructor says. Some horses kind of understands, others haven't a clue. Steady push or pulsating, it doesn't really matter.

But I rode in long boots for the first time yesterday, as the jodhpur boots are too cold. I found them bulkier but comfortable. But didn't help my riding. No leg yield.
So I tried moving my outside leg back an inch or two, and hey presto we went sideways immediately!

Now I feel very stupid that I didn't try that before! :rolleyes: But I've always worried that if I put one foot back and keep the other in the normal position the horse may interpret this as canter aid. But then I'm probably worrying too much, I've never got canter completely unexpectedly ;)

Bring on the next lesson - I can't wait to try that again :D :D :D

[Scarlett 001]

Yeah!!! Good for you. :D

I have found that being more aware of my leg positions when turning (for example, just moving the leg back a bit more) has really improved my turning angles for change of direction etc.

I think I understand the mechanics of why the outside leg moving back can improve turning. Perhaps someone would like to explain why moving the leg backwards for a leg yield would work - is it just for that particular horse or is that leg aid useful in general for leg yields? Does it help to keep their hindquarters in line with the sideways movement of the upper body - so the back end does not get left behind?

p.s. If anyone also want to have a go at explaining what moving the outside leg back during a turn actually does, then I can confirm if I am indeed understanding it correctly!!! :D

[Yann]

Well done, from one small success it will become routine and second nature:)

Arrgh, leg yield! I always have had great trouble with that one in lessons, could never get it quite right, especially with Ben my share horse. On occasion he did strike off in canter if I was trying to leg yield, especially on a circle, as you say the aids can be confused:( It can help to drop some weight into the outside seatbone and stirrup too. My common fault has been blocking forward movement too much with the rein supposedly providing a barrier - tricky...

I now own a horse who didn't have a clue about leg yield, with a bit of persistence and some groundwork the penny has dropped but only in one direction even if I give her the aids for the other. I think she's being willing rather than understanding what's being asked though as any leg or rein in a straight line in walk seems to cause leg yield too:D

As I understand it moving the outside leg back encourages bend and prevents the quarters drifting out. Some horses tend to do this on the last part of the circle before returning to the track in a school for example.

[LindaAd]

It is such a wonderful feeling when the horse gives you exactly what you're asking for, isn't it? Ginny did some wonderful 5m loops last week, at the end of a lesson that was mostly rodeo, and it was great.

Yann, when you talk about dropping weight into the outside seatbone and stirrup, do you mean the side you're moving towards? I always get confused by inside and outside when people are talking about lateral work...

[Scarlett 001]

Originally posted by LindaAd
I always get confused by inside and outside when people are talking about lateral work...

After reading the thread by OlavS, I did some web research earlier today on leg yields and inside/outside legs etc. This web site had a discussion you might useful. It might be helpful. Someone may want to confirm that what the web page says is correct just to be sure! :)

http://www.ridinghabit.com/guide/lateralwork/inside.html

[OlavS]

Thanks for that link, Scarlett - even though I personally haven't progressed far enough to worry about inside and outside when doing the sideways stuff :p

It's somewhat comforting to see that I'm not the only one struggling with this :D (sorry!)

[kedwards]

Good for you Olav! It's such a great feeling when something like that finally clicks.

[Bridget]

The inside leg is ALWAYS the one that the horse is bending around eg) leg yield - the one that the horse is moving away from, half pass - the one that the horse is moving into, circles - bending correctly then the inside of the circle, bending incorrectly (to the outside) then it will be the outisde of the circle... etc etc