First Steps to a Leg Yield Riding Plan
Why Should You Teach Your Horse To Leg Yield?
In a Leg Yield the horse moves forward and laterally off of the rider's rein and leg aids. In a Leg Yield, the horse is bent slightly away from the direction of travel. For example, in a leg yield to the left, the horse is bent slightly to the right, and the horse's right legs should cross in front of their left legs.
The concept that the rider's leg aid is not only to go faster is key for the horse to understand to be able to perform more advanced maneuvers, like the side pass, half pass, spins, etc. Many other maneuvers build off of the leg yield.
Aids for the Leg Yield:
-Inside Indirect Rein to get slight inside flexion and lift the shoulder.
-Outside Supporting Rein to prevent horse from becoming overbent and to maintain direction of travel.
-Inside Leg behind the girth to move horse laterally.
-Outside Leg as needed to maintain forward motion.
What Should My Horse Know Before I Teach The Leg Yield?
-Willingly go forward at a walk and trot.
-Accept the bit and be able to slow their gait and stop in response to rein aids.
-Perform a turn on the forehand in both directions.
In a Leg Yield the horse moves forward and laterally off of the rider's rein and leg aids. In a Leg Yield, the horse is bent slightly away from the direction of travel. For example, in a leg yield to the left, the horse is bent slightly to the right, and the horse's right legs should cross in front of their left legs.
The concept that the rider's leg aid is not only to go faster is key for the horse to understand to be able to perform more advanced maneuvers, like the side pass, half pass, spins, etc. Many other maneuvers build off of the leg yield.
Aids for the Leg Yield:
-Inside Indirect Rein to get slight inside flexion and lift the shoulder.
-Outside Supporting Rein to prevent horse from becoming overbent and to maintain direction of travel.
-Inside Leg behind the girth to move horse laterally.
-Outside Leg as needed to maintain forward motion.
What Should My Horse Know Before I Teach The Leg Yield?
-Willingly go forward at a walk and trot.
-Accept the bit and be able to slow their gait and stop in response to rein aids.
-Perform a turn on the forehand in both directions.
Download the Printable Riding Plan that goes along with this exercise
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