huge problem with aids!

[arabianbaby]

ok you people have been so helpful with other problems... this one is a huge issue for me and i don't know how to sort myself out.

i've always listened to different instructor's and other rider's opinions and ideas and taken bits of what made the most sense to me.

but now my old trainer has told me to use my outside leg for impulsion(as she says it needs to come from the outside hip) and give with the outside rein to allow forward movement. i've ALWAYS in the past been told inside leg for impulsion and especially when collecting to ride inside leg into outside hand.

this took some real concentration as it went to against what i was used to. when i had my lesson using outside leg seemed to work BEAUTIFULLY... tonight riding i found this theory falling apart abit when i tried to get collection and also trying to keep my horse in the corners.

so the big problem for me is i have to really pick one or the other it seems. does anyone have any opinions on this? or explain more of the theory behind both/either methods?

thanks in advance.

[Cheeky]

Yeah riding schools do tend to have a little variation of their aids..

I would suggest work with what you know, and what works best. Keep the inside leg on to encourage the horse into corners, have a little play to see what works best - :) Thats what i had to do from going from a schooled horse to a dressage horse - VERY different :p

I will get some more info about the impulsion laters - just about to go out for a ride :) Catchya

[galadriel]

Sounds like perhaps you're giving more with the outside rein than you did in the lesson. It might make sense to give some, but not a lot. Typically you need a good contact on the outside rein at all times, and a lack of that contact will lead to problems with circles and staying on the bit.

[kedwards]

In general, I've always been taught the basic idea of "inside leg to outside hand," but the outside leg is still supporting and ready to respond actively if needed.

Is it possible that she is saying to use more outside leg and less outside rein to correct a specific issue that you or the horse are having (for example, if he is drifting out)?

[arabianbaby]

that's the odd part. it was partially to correct drifting IN. like i said it surprised me how well it worked. she is adamant that impulsion has to come from the outside hip.. adn without driving that hip for impulsion we can't really do anything.

it all made sense in the lesson (even though i didnt' understand how it wouldn't push her in on the circle). and it did work. on my other horse it caused him to drift in (where his problem is more of drifting out normally).

i should say she trains western normally..but she says that many of the top english/dressage trainers are in agreement about driving from the outside hip. my normal coach (and everything else i've heard) say differently.

i'm going to have her out to do a lesson with my horse that is less forward and see how it goes. she is SO good about teaching me to ride more with my seat and recognizing my imbalances which is why i like her.... but i don't know if anyone else has experience with 2 different coaching styles. or advice about the outside leg thing?

thanks :)