You’ve probably heard the term “in front of the leg” but you may be wondering what exactly it means? And how to get your horse “in front of the leg?”
When your horse is in front of the leg, everything gets easier. Your horse will become round, supple, and use their body correctly. Transitions flow, gaits are easier to sit, and your horse is in sync with you. If your horse is behind the leg, they will feel dull, ignore or run through your aids, and you may end up working harder than your horse as you find yourself kicking and squeezing every stride!
Being in front of the leg means that your horse moves forward willingly and energetically with a slight squeeze from your calf. If there’s a delay or hesitation in the response, your horse isn’t fully in tune with you. In this video, I have two great exercises to help you get your horse in front of your leg.
All too often, I see riders resorting to nagging their horse to try to get them to move forward. However, this only makes your horse more dull and behind your leg. Therefore, before working on getting your horse in front of the leg, it’s important to check your leg position:
Toes Forward – Keep your toes pointing forward for consistent calf contact and so that you’re not accidentally using your spur.
Draping Leg –Your leg should drape naturally around your horse, providing subtle pressure.
Avoid Constant Nagging – Don’t keep applying pressure with your heels or spurs. Use a gentle squeeze first, escalating only if needed.
Exercise 1: Transitions to Build Responsiveness
One of the best ways to improve responsiveness and get your horse in front of the leg is through transitions. Start by establishing a working trot, ensuring your horse is moving forward but relaxed. Ride a half-halt and ask for a walk, ride three to four walk steps, then immediately ask for a trot with a light leg aid. If your horse hesitates, increase your leg aid as needed until you get a response, then immediately release.
Exercise 2: Cruise Control for Consistent Tempo
Another great exercise for getting your horse in front of the leg is to focus on maintaining a steady tempo without constant leg pressure. Begin by setting the desired tempo at the trot and letting your legs rest softly against your horse’s sides. If your horse slows down, use a quick, light leg aid to push them forward into a faster trot as a reminder to maintain the set pace. Once your horse resumes the correct tempo, release the pressure and allow them to maintain that speed without continual nagging.
In both exercises, it’s important to release pressure when your horse responds correctly. This teaches your horse that moving forward is the desired response and prevents them from becoming dull to your aids. Consistency is key, and with time and practice, your horse will learn to respond to your light aid!
Happy Riding!
Amelia
P.S. Need more help getting your horse forward? Check out my “In Front of the Leg” Workshop. It has everything you need in it to get your horse moving forward and responsive from your leg aids. So you can nag less and have more fun. Check out the course here.
