Which leg??

[horselover4eva]

Ok this is a pretty silly question but:
When you are turning to the left (or right) what legs do you use is it when u turn to the left you use your left leg or the other way round.
I know I should know this but I can never get it right!!!
Oh yeah my other messege (i can't canter) I cantered in a class on a very fast horse but i didn't fall off!!!
Yay:D :D

[qwerty]

If you turn left, lets say...you would use your rigt leg to push them off the track. At the same time you should "feel" your left rein to get flexion in the body. Hope that helps!:D

[Maci]

Well it depends- if you are turning left/right in a circle, you would use your inside leg (the leg facing the inside of the circle) to push the horse out (apply leg pressure), and use that same rein to guide their head (bending it a bit to the inside). *When making a circle, you should only see just a tad bit of the horse inside eye, to make the circle a good size- too much bend in the head=too little a circle!

If you are passing, or just want to bring him away from the track, do like qwerty said, and use the outside leg to push him over, while the inside rein lightly guides his head to the inside. *Remember, in riding you use more leg than hand- Legs are there to move/direct the horse, while your hands are merely a guide for his head!

Hope This Helps!
Maci :)

[Katie_85]

I think it also depends on the horse. Some are trained to turn around the leg and some are trained to turn away from the leg. Ask your instructor.:)

[katie_did]

When doing a circle, push your outside leg behind the girth to keep the horse's bum from swining out.

[Outrider]

It depends on the trainer and the horse. At least in western, some prefer to teach a horse to turn around and inside leg and some prefer the horse to move away from the outside leg. Usually, the more preferred method is moving away from the leg. That is, left leg and rein to turn right and vice versa, if you are talking about a horse that neck reins at least. Happy Trails!

[Katie_85]

I'm currently working on (some) neck reining with the TW's at m lesson barn and just cannot get used to turning the horse away from the leg. My instrcutor's convinced I don't know my right from my left!:D

[Kerry's Partner!!]

I would look this up in Heather's book or the home pages. What you are looking for is/are the aid(s) for direction. I think it does depend on the horse/your circumstances in some ways (and the gait) but if you're searching for the "right" or "kinder" way then I think you'll find "direction" isn't asked for by giving one (leg) aid, but it is asked for by an overall and subtle change in your position (shoulders, hips, fingers, head).