Legs of Iron

[Yann]

My turning and circling is a real problem, I'm always being told to use more inside leg to push the horse over and / or make it bend round the circle.

I seem to have real trouble making this happen, I just don't seem to have enough leg strength. Am I missing something, just how strong do your legs need to be?

Or is it just a case of not very responsive school horse?

[larri]

Sorry Yann nothing constructive - just wanted to ask if your legs of iron are attached to your buns of steel:D !!

[Yann]

Larri, just what crossed my mind when I saw you'd replied:D

Don't think I have legs of iron, so the buns are probably made of something far less impressive:rolleyes:

[Bebe]

Hi Yann

It's probably not the strength in your legs but more the timing of when you're using them. The horse can't physically step under or move over unless you give them the aid at the moment before the leg is in the optimum place to do whichever it is you want them to do.

This seems to work for Bebe:

To ask her to push under herself more - use your leg at the girth as you feel the corresponding hind leg (on the same side as your leg) come under your seatbone.

To ask her to move away from your leg (so move out on a circle, leg yield, etc) use your leg (usually inside) just as the hoof is about to come off the ground. Another way to do this is to use your leg as you feel the opposite hind come up under your seatbone. It also helps to give a half halt with the outside rein just after you apply the leg aid - lets the horse know that you want the leg to come under the body diagonally rather than more forwards.

It's hard to explain and even harder to do at first. If you can sort out a ride where you can close your eyes and really concentrate on what the hind legs (and forelegs too if you can manage it) are doing it helps.

Also try to pulse the leg aid rather than hold it on until you get a result.

It could also be a case of unresponsive riding school horses, some just tune out everything so they can cope!

Amanda

[unicorndanca]

Bebe, if you wanted to stop/block a horse moving eg to the right would you also have to do it at a certain time? I tried to use my leg to block my horse pulling me into the fence and I felt the same as Yann.

[Sharon H]

Don't forget that horses are into-pressure animals. A constant pressure will make them lean into it, an off-on-off pressure works much better.

[Bebe]

To stop a horse moving into a fence, etc you apply the leg aids in the same way as to leg yield out of a circle, you just don't repeat it once the horse has moved away from whatever it is they're getting too close to. It's all the same principle.

If you wanted to move your horse away from a fence that was on your left hand side, you'd apply your leg aid (just a tensing of your leg muscle on a well trained horse, apply and then release immediately as Sharon H said in her post) just before or as the left hind leg was leaving the ground (or if it helps, as the right leg touches down under the horses body). To stop them moving to the right, you'd do the same but just as the right hind leg was about to leave the ground (or as the left leg touches down).

[unicorndanca]

So if he's trying to go right is it the right leg you're using????? This is so complicated and I'm just learning hopefully I can manage it. Is there anything easier for a beginner and a 3yo horse?????

[Bebe]

The easiest way to get the hang of this is to get someone to lunge or lead you around for a bit whilst you close your eyes and concentrate on what the horses legs are doing. I used to count at first and then went on to say to myself right, left, as each hind leg moved. Once you get that in walk you can try it in trot. And then just play around with timing your aids to see which response you get. It's easier if you have your own horse than if you're taking lessons unless you have a good instructor who's willing to go through it with you.

If you want to actually turn a corner you do the usual inside leg at the girth, outside leg very slightly behind and ask for a touch of flexion with the inside rein. I've found that to just turn most of the time I only need to use a light nudge with my inside leg (so that would be right leg if you want to turn right) to start with and then leave it at the girth to support the horses bend. If the horse starts to drift to the left or loses the bend, I'd pulse the right leg in time with the horses right hind (along with contact on the outside rein) to ask for the horse to bend again or continue around the corner (or circle).

It's very, very hard to describe properly in writing as it's different with every horse, some need more, some less, although once you have the basic jist of it you should be able to use it on every horse.

I'm sure there are other people who can explain this better than I can, and this is just what works for me, there are other ways to do it.

Amanda

[unicorndanca]

I suppose there is a lot of fenceline up the road so hopefully I'll get it before the end:D :D :D :D

[corp]

I know its not much comfort to you when you are learning to ride, but you really don't need any legs at all to ride well. Horses will move off your weight. Of course its very difficult for riding school horses who are used to being kicked a lot.

Try putting your horse into free walk on a long rein, then walk around the school and practice turning your body and you'll be amazed at how he'll bend. You see, your legs come on as you turn, you can't avoid it.

We often start at one end of the school and see how many serpentine loops we can fit into the length of the school.

If you can tolerate a gently sitting trot yet, then this exercise will work even better. Its the way to go. Strong legs, plenty of kicking and pushing will only ruin your riding and ruin the horse.

Trust me. I speak from many years experience of teaching disabled people whose legs don't work properly.

[Horseluver1220]

What I do to strenghen my legs is work on the leg press(found in most gyms I use my schools gym) and if I'm at home I use a wall just go into a sitting postion against the wall and remain that way for 5-10 seconds then relax by sliding your back up the wall until your knees are ALMOST strait then repet. I hope it helps:D ;) :)