Canter question - how does the inside leg actually support?

[DITZ]

As you know have been having problems getting my canter leads right but had dressage lesson last night and worked on it. My instructor rode him first, she said he was lacking in confidence and really needed to get his confidence from my support in my legs, but very willing and tried hard. Anyway she gave me some tips which I've tried and which work. One being that when he throws his head up to open my hands out wide, the other being that I need to sit to him alot more and use my legs alot more to support him.

Having tried this it really did work it seemed that any time he started to rush using my legs seemed to bring him back under control.

So being the analyst that I am I really want to understand the mechanics of what I am doing. How does me pushing a rushing horse bring him under control? And how does using my legs more give him confidence?

Later we tried it again by which time he had decided enough was enough and far better to go round sidewards, charging etc etc. Instructor made me keep at it telling me that he was taking the pee anyway we didnt have much success last night but I tried again today and he was napping toward the gate, charging and going sidewards again (canter 20 circle this is) but I persisted with it, sat back and used my legs and hey presto he did calm down.

I am thinking that this could also be a key to stopping him going so daft in the showjumping ring so I am really keen to try and understand how and why exactly this is working?

[cvb]

.... trying to think of an analogy.... try this one for size while I try and come up with a better one...

think about hand shakes.

Someone who walks up to you, confident body language, takes your hand in a firm grip, shakes then releases the contact... what sort of impression do they give ?

What sort of "handshake" have you been giving your horse ? Has it been tentative and unsure ? Confident and firm ? Strong and unforgiving ?

Also, on a more "Technical" front, when we ride "leg into hand", it means exactly what it says on the tin. My "rule" is that I should never have more hand than I have leg.

Of course you don't want all leg and no hand at all (talking "english" here) or you create energy and it just flows out the front end with no control, direction etc

But - your leg is creating impulsion, energy etc, and then you need to direct it with body, hand, leg, weight,.....

So if you are not "there" with your leg, its a bit like having a boat with no engine :eek:

Finally, on a more "support" note - I think there is also an element of providing both physical and mental support to the horse. Especially when they may lack the tone required and are learning how to carry themeslves (and you). Then providing a supportive leg helps them maintain an outline etc that otherwise they might not be able to contain i.e. it provides some physical "walls" (support) within which the horse moves. He is also getting ongoing messages that he is doing the right thing, as you are giving him signals to keep doing what he's doing - i.e. providing leadership and direction (mental support).

[galadriel]

Taking the leg off entirely can cause the leg to swing and give unpredictable/conflicting signals to the horse; keeping it firmly on, the horse can tell where it is and you don't accidentally tell him things you don't mean.

When a horse is losing contact and losing balance, he's not forward enough into the contact. He may be leaning forward and getting onto the forehand, but he's backing off the bit. Putting leg on and asking him to move into the bit helps him get back into contact with the bit, which in turn allows him to balance, stop rushing, and get more calm overall.

It can seem a bit counter-intuitive to put leg on a rushing horse, but it really does help. It gives the horse more security about just what you're doing with your legs, and asks him to balance back and get more up instead of forward.

[DITZ]

Right I understand! I reckon this is the key to unlocking what goes on in his head. I have only been using my leg as and when required, ie to instruct to move up a gear or to move him sidewards. I'd never thought of it in any other way but I can see what impact it has had on him already. Oooh I feel another breakthough in the 'old nag training' coming on!!