Turning a horse is MUCH harder than turning a car! Here are some tips to help you turn correctly…
What are aids for turning?
Simply put, the outside rein and leg are the turning aids.
The outside rein stays on the outside of the horses’ neck and supports turning the horses’ outside shoulder with a steady contact.
The outside leg pushes the horse around the turn. The outside leg should be slightly behind the girth in “guarding position” to keep the hind end from falling out. The rider’s upper outer leg can be pressed into the saddle to help get the horse to turn.
The inside rein can be used as an opening rein aid – the inside rein can come away from the horses’ neck slightly to “lead” the horse around the turn.
If you are having trouble turning…
Practice 90 degree turns and riding a square. Sometimes when you are riding a circle, you are constantly turning and the horse is constantly drifting out. Riding a square can be helpful to get your horse to turn and then be sure to release the turning aids.
Do NOT ….
Be sure NOT to use an indirect rein aid.
Indirect rein aids will cause your horse to counter-bend and throws them off balance and onto the inside front leg. The outside rein can be near to the withers on the outside but the outside rein must NOT go across the neck.
No neck reining in Dressage! The left hand stays on the left, and the right hand stays on the right.
Do NOT lean in your turns! You are not riding a bicycle!
Many riders make the mistake of leaning in the turns. Leaning in the turn unbalances your horse and puts them onto the forehand. Imagine that a string is pulling your head up to the sky. When the horse turns, you stay straight above your horse!
Happy Riding!
Amelia
