We often forget to practice the walk – but it is a very important gait, not only because you get a score for your walk in the show, but also because the walk is the best way to warm up your horse and it helps to keep your horse sound and fit!
There are so many great exercises that you can do at the walk, and walk leg-yields are one of my favorites! Walk leg-yields are a great exercise to work on suppleness and getting your horse responsive to both legs.
Before you begin working on your leg-yields, it’s important to make sure that you have an active walk. Starting on a loose rein, get your horse walking forward; it should feel like they are walking on their tippy toes, and you shouldn’t have to keep nagging them to stay active. Once you have an active walk, shorten your reins just enough you have a nice contact, but don’t lose the activity in the walk. Now you are ready to start practicing your leg-yields!
· Start out by walking up the quarterline and then leg-yielding your horse to the rail. Remember that the aids for the leg-yield are inside leg to move the inside hind over, outside rein to control the outside shoulder, and inside rein for flexion.
· Keep your horse parallel to the long side, with the shoulders leading slightly.
· Reward your horse. Make sure to give your horse breaks as you are working on the leg-yield. It can be tricky for your horse to coordinate the sideways movement. If you feel like they are getting frustrated or confused go up to the trot or walk on a long rein. And of course, reward and pet them when they do the right thing!
· Don’t nag your horse. Your leg aid should be “on, off, on, off” in time with your horse’s gait. If your horse isn’t moving off your leg, give them a little bump, bump, and then take your leg off.
· Leg-yield zig-zags. Once your horse has gotten the hang of the leg-yield from the quarterline to the rail, you can try leg-yielding in a zig-zag pattern from the quarterline to the rail, and back to the quarterline, etc. This really challenges your horse to listen to both of your legs.
Watch the video where I demonstrate all of this with Kensington. I hope these tips help you and your horse! Give this exercise a try horse this week and let me know how it goes!
Slight disclaimer: Since the walk doesn’t have impulsion if your horse isn’t consistent in the contact, then this exercise might not be for you. Feel free to give this exercise a try, but if your horse begins to back off the contact or get tense and nervous, ride forward and perhaps teach the leg yield at the trot.
Happy Riding!
Amelia
