Feeling those hind legs dragging behind while you’re riding? Getting your horse’s hind end engaged will be another step towards finding that ride you love!
In this week’s video, I will be showing you a few things to focus on during your ride to get your horse to engage their hind end, as well as a few tricks in the crossties to get your horse to lift their back and rotate their pelvis.
It is important that your horse engages their hind end because when their hind end is engaged, they are easier to ride and maneuver. Plus, you can do all kinds of fancy moves like piaffe! There are several things you can focus on to help your horse engage their hind end:
Tempo
It is important to find the right tempo for your horse. If they are going too slow or too fast, your horse will not be able to engage their hind end and they will go on the forehand and drag their hind legs. You want to find that happy medium where your horse is not rushing but not slugging along either.
Frame
Like tempo, the right frame is different for every horse. Your horse’s neck is connected to their back, and their back is connected to their hind end. If their neck is up and they are not on the bit, their back will be hollow, and their hind end will not be able to engage. The same thing will happen if your horse is too deep (their neck is stretched too low). Therefore, it is important that you take time to find the right frame where your horse is on the bit and round.
Transitions
Transitions are such a great exercise because your horse has to come through with their hind end for each transition. You can never ride too many transitions! As you ride your transitions, remember to continue to check in with your horse’s frame and tempo as well as contact.
Seat
Your rider position is key in getting your horse to engage their hind end! Remember to keep your belly button pulled into your spine and your seat bones pointing down into the saddle. It is important to realize that if you want your horse to engage their hind end, your core and pelvis have to be engaged first!
Crosstie Exercises
To help get your horse’s muscles activated, you can gently but firmly scratch them along their belly starting between their front legs. This will get them to lift their back, and you will see their back round as you scratch them. Once their back is lifted, your horse can engage their hind end, and you can gently but firmly scratch your horse along each side of their tail, which will cause them to rotate their pelvis. Be extremely careful not to get kicked! It is safest to do this exercise standing to your horse’s side.
When your horse’s hind end is engaged, it gives you the most amazing feeling, and your horse is so much easier to maneuver. Practice these tips, and I know you will feel a difference in your ride! Happy riding!
