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View Full Version : Aids for turn on the forehand


tasha
26th Jun 2004, 02:50 PM
I wasnt sure whether to put this on Training of the Rider or Horse, but I figured as its probably my fault Im having trouble with it, it best go here!

Having read last month's article on TotF in Your Horse, I thought I'd giv it a go. I might be doing some Le Trec in the summer, in which case Ill need it for the gates thing. Kally and I can do 1/4 and 1/3 pirouettes/turn on the haunches absolutely fine. I use them as a reward as she really enjoys doing them. I also use them as a prerequisite to TotF to get her thinking about crossing legs and going in circles.

Last night I couldnt get her to TotF for love nor money. I walk into it, as going from a halt makes her reverse. I tried using the fence and also in the middle of the school, neither worked. All I got was a tight circley thing. Eventually i got off and got her to do it in hand, before getting on again and having another go, where I got her back legs to cross but a bit too much forward motion for it to be a true TotF.

What are the correct aids for it? I was getting uptight etc (oops!) so my riding was going a bit pair shaped (another reason why I got off, to distance myself for a bit). I was using inside leg to ask for the steps, outside rein to block forwards movement, inside rein for bend (although I was overbending her I think). Is this right? Does anyone have any tips? Help!

IrisSilverMoon
26th Jun 2004, 11:14 PM
you need to block her from going forward with one hand only. if you halt and close the inside hand and use a little inside leg she should only be able to turn on the forehand. she may be feeling blocked from the outside though, so make sure your outside hand is completely open, you may even have to throw a little rein away. So the inside rein does hold the bend, but it also needs to tell her she can't move that leg forward. the outside rein is completely passive don't use it.

tasha
27th Jun 2004, 06:07 PM
If I do it from halt she tosses her head and backs up. I have to do it from a slow walk otherwise I could see her standing up!

Will try keeping the outside rein open though, thanks!

IrisSilverMoon
27th Jun 2004, 07:24 PM
Originally posted by tasha
If I do it from halt she tosses her head and backs up. I have to do it from a slow walk otherwise I could see her standing up!




hehe...well the same thing should work from a walk too.