Work Those Laterals At The Walk! – An Exercise

Well, you could do this exercise at the trot and canter too, if you like, but there's nothing nicer than having a structured exercise to use when you just. want. to. walk.

Have you ever gotten on and just felt like walking - only? But then, you really had nothing to do, so you and your horse just sauntered around the ring, or on the trail, and really didn't "practice" anything? Well, this exercise is perfect for you if you want to do that walk, but also want to do something with that walk.

You'll work on moving the shoulders, then the haunches, and there's a nice little 10-meter circle thrown into the mix. It's actually not a particularly fancy pattern, but it does get you and your horse working on a little bit of every kind of suppleness - all in a leisurely low-impact walk, which will make it easier for both of you to communicate, develop good timing, and evaluate how well you're doing the movements.

OK, here is the pattern:

Start at A, in walk, on the left rein.

1) Shoulder-in left. Straighten before B.

2) Circle left 10-meters.

3) Haunches-in left. Straighten before M.

4) Medium walk the corners and the short side of the ring.

5) Free (stretchy) walk all the way across the diagonal. Collect reins before F.

Now, you're walking in the opposite direction and you can start the whole thing again. Do a medium walk on the short side of the ring and set up for a shoulder-in right as you pass K. Repeat all the steps, but now on the right rein.

How about some details?

1) The Shoulder-In

If you have never really worked on the shoulder-in, well, this is your excuse to start! We all have to start somewhere, and it's best to work on this at the walk at first, anyway. If you like, you can reduce the angle of the shoulder-in and make it more of a shoulder-fore, but do see if you can get some control over your horse's shoulders and move them off the rail.

Remember that the shoulder-fore is a 4-track movement, where the outside front leg is lined up so that it's on its own track, in between the track of the hind legs. In contrast, the shoulder-in requires more angle and is actually a 3-track movement, meaning that the outside front leg lines up on the same track as the inside hind leg.

The shoulders come off the rail while the haunches stay on the rail.

I've written quite a bit about the laterals in the  past, so if you want more information about the definitions and the aids, click on the articles attached below. If you want even more details, I have Aids & Figures Mini-Lesson whiteboard videos that explain it all for the shoulder-fore, the shoulder-in and the haunches-in (and much more!) in the Practice Sessions Membership. Click here to check out all the details. 

2) The 10-m Circle

The circle helps to distinguish between the shoulders and the haunches for the horse. It also helps you to re-establish and develop the required bend as you leave the circle and head into the haunches-in. Remember to straighten before you go into the circle (after the shoulder-in), just to show that you can, in fact, come out of the shoulder-in and re-establish straightness.

However, stay in the 10-m bend as you leave the circle and use this bend to help establish the haunches-in immediately coming out of the circle.

3) The Haunches-In 

The haunches-in is also a 4-track movement, but it's different because now it's the haunches that have to come off the rail while the shoulders move straight. Each leg has its own track for the haunches-in, and the bend is so deep that the hind legs come to the inside far enough that they do not line up with the front legs at all.

In the beginning, you might find that you can only get the horse to move the haunches just a tiny bit to the inside. That's fine. Just stick with it and the horse will be able to bend deeper over time.

Straighten before you get to M.




4) The Medium Walk

Now, continue along the rail at the medium walk. This walk requires quite a bit of  "activity" - which means that the horse should march along at a relatively brisk pace. Maintain a steady tempo (don't slow down into and out of the corners!) and maintain contact and the same outline you finished with in the haunches-in.

While it looks like nothing is going on, a good, "forward" (not fast) medium walk is quite an accomplishment in itself.

5) The Free Walk

Finish the last corner and as you pass H, send your horse on a nice, long, swinging free walk all the way across the diagonal - and pick up the reins before you reach F. I've written so much about the "stretchy" walk (a.k.a. the Free Walk) that I won't duplicate it all here. Again, look at the links below for all about the aids and strategies for the free walk.

The two most important things to keep in mind for the stretchy walk is that a) the horse takes the reins from your fingers and reaches low with the neck while taking the nose forward and out (not tucking in behind the vertical), and b) he maintains a steady tempo the whole time he's in the stretch. Many horses tend to slow down as they relax through the stretch, but a good stretch is one where the activity is kept up even while the horse releases and relaxes.

And there you have it!

There's so much going on in this little pattern that I'm sure you'll have plenty to work on. As with all patterns, the benefit might not be seen until you've run through it many times. I recommend that you do this pattern 4 times on each side in one go, which could take you up to 15 minutes or so of steady movement. This is good - we want the movement, the flexes and bends, the stretch, and the medium walk. In this way, we influence the inside hind leg, we change "outlines" (from the more upright medium walk to the longer and lower free walk) and work on the 10-m bend.

And when you want, do it in the trot. Then in the canter. And if you get really good, throw in transitions. There's so much that can be done with this one pattern!

And most importantly, have fun! 

If you like this sort of pattern work, join my Practice Sessions Premium Membership.

The Practice Sessions are a complete program beginning with exercises like the one above, designed to improve specific aspects of the horse and rider. All set up and ready to go, all you have to do is watch the video, print off the pattern PDF and head to the barn!

But there's so much more! There's quality of movement exercises, theory "Mini-Classes" on specific aids and figures, a fantastic group of riders, and so much more! Click here to learn more.

Disclaimer: Use this as a guideline but you might need your instructor to respond to your individual needs. By using information on this site, you agree and understand that you are fully responsible for your progress, results and safety. We offer no representations, warranties or guarantees verbally or in writing regarding your improvement or your horse’s response or results of any kind. Always use the information on this site with a view toward safety for both you and your horse. Use your common sense when around horses.

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Horse Listening Book 4
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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Buy the book for many more riding tips!
Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine
Stop wandering round and round aimlessly!
Horse Listening Book 4 is a compilation of the best patterns that have been shared on the Horse Listening Blog. The book is divided into five sections: Warm-Ups, Left and Right, Straightness, Suppleness and Collection. Each section has specific exercises and theory based on its topic.
But there's more!
There is a Special Center Section dedicated to only Transitions - something that we can all work on throughout our riding careers. And finally, scattered throughout the book are chapters that clearly explain theory, technique and skills that can help improve the featured exercises of teach Section.
Use these 20-minute exercises!
Available as an eBook or paperback.
Available as an eBook or paperback.

Leg Yield/Shoulder-Fore – A Great Way To Your Horse’s Back

leg yield
Leg yield. Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

We know why we want a supple back. 

Think of the back as the gateway to all things good in horse riding. A supple back allows energy through the horse's top line. It releases tension, loosens muscles - allows instead of blocks. The up-and-down action of the back creates space for the hind legs to reach underneath the body, which will in turn promote better balance - whether on a turn or straight line.

But most importantly, the supple back allows the horse to carry you, the rider, in a more healthy fashion. Which is something we should all be interested in.

Consider the opposite: the clenched, unmoving back. Tightness. Rigidity. Blockage. Hind legs out behind the horse's center of gravity. Lack of balance. Bracing neck and on the forehand.

That image should be motivation enough to make you want to put in the effort it might take to learn how to get the horse to "work through the back." 

While there is definitely much more to the supple back, the exercise below can help you get started at a basic level. These two movements combine to give you a sort of road map, if you will, to begin to find your horse's back.

1. Start with the leg yield.

Do it on a circle, in trot.

Use your inside leg at the girth, and stay evenly balanced in the saddle. Leg yield outward so that the circle becomes a little bit larger, bit by bit. The idea is to get the horse to lift through the rib cage (in response to your leg), lift the inside shoulder and shift weight to the outside. The horse's legs may or may not cross over each other - in this exercise, the cross-over is not required. Just a shift to the outside is fine, especially at the beginning.

You might notice that it is somewhat easier to get a bend to the inside if you can get the leg yield going well. The horse will already be reaching underneath the body deeper with the inside hind leg, and will be able to  maintain better balance into the bend. Without too much fuss happening from your hands, you should feel the bend begin mostly thanks to your leg aid.

So now, your horse is stepping outward and the inside bend is developing.

Enjoy this for a few strides. Lighten your contact at this point, lighten your seat, and allow more energy through the horse's body while still stepping out and bending.

You're looking for a bouncier feeling, a swingier back... basically, more freedom of movement and energy.

Once you feel you have a nice bend and some easy steps outward, you might find that your outside rein "fills up" on its own, and suddenly, you have this wonderful neck rein on the outside rein, which will naturally lead you right into #2.

shoulder-fore
Shoulder-fore.

2. Shoulder-Fore

Now that you've activated the hind end, you can see if the front end can become lighter and straighter.

The shoulder-fore is a basic but excellent way to line up the horse's front end so that it leads slightly to the inside (and works on the bend again). Click here for the shoulder-fore aids.

Using your outside neck rein, bring your horse's shoulders just a little ahead of the hind leg tracks. In other words, the horse's front leg tracks should fall slightly to the inside of the hind leg tracks.

You're still on the circle, you just did the leg yield out, developed a bit of a bend, and now, using the outside neck rein and outside leg behind the girth, you bring the shoulders back in towards the middle of the circle - just a little. 

If the leg yield was going to create a bulging outside shoulder, this shoulder-fore will quickly avoid the problem altogether. You'll notice that the outside shoulder straightens up a little and the front end lightens a little. 

The straightening action will align the horse's spine and once again, you'll feel the trampoline-y feeling of the back that is active, round and engaged. 



When You Get Good

Try it on one side first, then the other.

Then, switch sides - go right, then left, then right. Go off the circle and make it fun by finding new turns and circles in different places in the arena. Use serpentines, tear drops, S-changes... get creative!

Common Problems

When you first start with the leg yield, many horses will misunderstand the leg aid to mean speed up. If your horse quickens the legs instead of steps out, half-halt the speed, and regain your initial tempo. Then try again. It may take many repetitions for a horse to learn to step sideways away from a leg aid. Be patient, clear and reward often.

Another common problem is that the horse will continue to lean into your leg as you apply the leg aid. Many horses naturally lean into pressure. If your horse leans into your leg, come to a walk. Apply your leg aid again, and get the horse to leg yield at the walk. When the horse is responding, go back to trot.

While finding your horse's swinging back might be a difficult challenge, the feeling of floating energy that comes with suppleness is something you'll never want to go without ever again after you've found it for the first time. The bonus is that if you can listen carefully enough, you will realize that your horse will appreciates it too! 

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions. 

This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.

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Horse Listening Book 2
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Stop printing off the articles! Your favorite training articles are compiled in this beautifully bound paperback book. Have everything at your fingertips - this book can be taken to the barn as a quick refresher or leisurely read at home.

From Horse Listening Book 2: Forward And Round To Training Success:
"Regardless of discipline, what would be the most significant effect a rider would want to have on her horse?
We all want our horses to improve in their athletic development, skill acquisition and connectedness. Much of our rider development and training efforts go into working toward our show or personal goals....
But the best riders aspire to do one essential thing each and every day, regardless of goals and lesson plans: they work hard to improve their horse’s way of going.
Because proper balance and weight carriage is essential to a horse’s longevity. Each and every minute of each and every ride has the potential to contribute to your horse’s health and well-being.
Or not."
Just as with all the Horse Listening Collection Books, this book is focused on helping the rider improve for the sake of the horse. But this book goes deeper into the best training articles from the blog - horse-centered theory, strategies and ideas you can try with your own horse.
The book begins with the horse's hind end (!), considers the horse's back, moves on to rider development, and fills it all in with the fundamentals of horse riding so your horse can be:
☑️ happier in his body
☑️happier in his "work"
☑️better balanced all-around

Straight Line to Turn Off the Rail

suppling-1-1The tear drop requires you to go up the rail, then turn off the rail. Let's take a moment to analyze just that movement.

First off, you are going down the rail. When you're on the rail, make sure your on the rail. This means that your horse is moving in a straight line, parallel to the rail, with good energy and tempo (not too fast, not too slow but with plenty of energy). Take a look at your horse's body position as you go down the rail. Is he pointing diagonally outward with his shoulders? Does he move in a slight angle pointed out to the rail? Note also your own body alignment. If your shoulders are pointing out to the rail, then you're horse's shoulders are also right there with you!

If so, then be sure to do a shoulder-fore to regain straightness in the horse's body. By bringing your horse's shoulders in toward the center of the ring - even if it's just literally a foot inward - you will help your horse straighten through the spine and travel in a true line. The shoulder-fore will also help set up your departure from the rail into the half circle of the tear drop with a mild bend and flexion.

Prepare to come off the rail with a half-halt. Then leave the track.

Know where you want the horse's feet to go ahead of time. Plan about a quarter circle ahead, and take him there. Now that you're off the track, you need to keep your horse more "between your legs and hands" because there is no rail to help keep him up!

The turn can be simplified if you move your body as a whole. Try to keep as calm and quiet as you can in your body. Don't think too much about your individual hand and leg aids. Do it all together, at once, and it should all fall into place fairly organically. You can always adjust one aid if necessary as you go along.

A common error here is to actually pull on the reins to start the turn. "Steering" with your hands often causes the horse to fall off balance, scramble into the turn even while you're still cranking his head and neck around.

In contrast, keep your hands in front of the saddle and allow the horse to turn more off your seat and leg aids. Your hands should do very little in terms of turning, and only come into play if you need a half-halt if the energy forward is too strong, or a half-halt on one rein if the horse is falling in to the middle or drifting out too far to the outside. Otherwise, keep your hands (and elbows) quiet and soft and staying in front of the saddle just above the withers.

Ride the turn with your own body. Don't lean in any direction but your shoulders can be facing the direction of travel exactly with your horse's shoulders. Avoid getting left behind in the movement or falling ahead of the movement.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the new Horse Listening Practice Sessions. 

This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.

Click here to read more and to be among the first to be notified about our upcoming Introductory pricing!

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If you like this article, read more here:

What Do Leg Aids Mean?

#1 Rider Problem: Confusing Aids

Why You Don’t Want to Pull on the Inside Rein, and What To Do Instead

In Praise of the (Horse Riding) Hand

What’s The Difference Between The Inside Rein and The Outside Rein?

Why You Must Shoulder-Fore On the Rail and How To Do It

shoulder-foreThe shoulder-fore is the like the little sibling that always plays second fiddle to the shoulder-in. But don't discount its power.

When left to themselves, most horses will travel crookedly up a line. In fact, they may also be crooked on circles.

On a straight line, they tend to lean outward toward the rail with their front end. So, if you watch a horse go up a rail from behind, you will clearly see the front end traveling on a line closer to the rail, while the hind end drifts somewhat off the rail. There might be a tendency for the horse's head and neck to point outward, away from the direction of travel. So if the horse is going right, the head and neck point left.

Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Most horses start life with a stronger side and a weaker side, and if left unchecked, that crookedness can maintain itself or even become more pronounced through riding. So it falls to the rider to become educated and sensitive enough to feel the crookedness - and then correct it over time. As with all other skills, if the horse is ridden in a manner that encourages suppleness and flexion, the horse will overcome the crookedness.

The rider, too, has a significant role in the process. For if the rider just follows the horse's movements, she will also be riding in a way that points her core to the wall, travelling with a crooked seat and imbalanced posture.

What is the shoulder-fore?

Although we often hear about the shoulder-in, we tend to overlook the shoulder-fore as a less worthy exercise. This is far from the truth. The shoulder-fore is easier to learn for both horse and rider and sets them on their way to becoming straighter and more supple.

The shoulder-fore is a movement that positions the horse's shoulders slightly to the inside of the hips. The way you know the horse is "in" shoulder-fore is by looking at the horse's footfalls. Simply put, the horse that has hind footsteps falling into front footsteps is straight. The horse that has the front footsteps landing slightly to the inside of the horse's hind footsteps is travelling in shoulder-fore.

The shoulder-fore requires the horse to "articulate" more with the joints in the hind end, encourages a deeper stride length, and helps the horse balance better, allowing the energy to come over the topline and release the muscles over the back. It is a movement that should be in your riding vocabulary from the beginning to the end of the ride.

How to shoulder-fore:

1. Negotiate a turn or corner in the same manner as usual. Position your body on the bend to the inside, with your seat weighted slightly to the inside, inside leg at the girth, outside leg behind the girth and rein aids following your shoulders toward the turn. 

2. Then come out of the turn.

3. But keep the horse on the same mild bend, going straight on the rail.

4. Feel for the horse's shoulders. They should feel slightly off-set to the inside.

At this point, the novice horse tends to want to fall into the middle of the ring, coming off the rail. It is the job of your inside leg, seat bone and rein to keep the horse on the line. Your outside rein can also help to keep the straightness by half-halting to counter the horse's momentum toward the inside. It can also keep the neck fairly straight.

Get a friend to monitor your horse's foot falls and let you know about the angle of the horse's body. She should tell you when you have it right so that you can memorize what it feels like to have straightness in your horse's movements.

Shoulder-fore everywhere!

When you get good at it on the rail, try it off the rail. If you go straight up the ring on the quarter line, you will have enough room to your outside so that you have to really use your outside aids to help maintain the shoulder fore, but not so far that you can't use the rail as a reference point to see and feel the position of the shoulders.

Then try it on center line. It gets harder to feel the angle when there is no wall to gauge your position with. But eventually, you should be able to actually feel the angle of the horse's body regardless of whether or not you have a wall to refer to.

For more shoulder-fore fun, start up the center line with a right shoulder-fore, then as you cross X, switch to a left shoulder-fore. 




Finally, give it a try on a circle. At this point, you should be able to identify the shoulder position on a bend. So when you feel that your horse is pointing his shoulders to the outside of the circle, be a responsible rider and bring those shoulders into the shoulder'fore position, even while you are travelling on a bend around the circle.

Results

See what your horse thinks about it. If you get a snort, be happy! If you get a softening of the neck and jaw to the inside, be thrilled. And if you get bouncy-bouncy, rolling gaits (do this in walk, trot and canter) and the feeling that you are spending more time in the air than on the ground, then celebrate! 

For helping the horse to release tension, swing through the back, stay straight and energize is the goal of all riding!

*P.S. All the above is also equally relevant to the shoulder-in. But that can be a topic for another time.

Try the shoulder-in during your next ride and let us know how it works for you and your horse.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the new Horse Listening Practice Sessions. 

This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

I don't believe in putting my work behind a paywall. But there are expenses in every venture. If you really liked this article, consider tipping us! Your tip will help me keep producing more riding TIPS (pun!) with free access to everyone. With thanks for reading!

Horse Listening The Book
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Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of?
By following simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about many topics including:
- the rider’s aids
- the use of the seat
- the half-halt
- accurate turns and circles
- transitions
- horse ownership and horse care
- goal setting for the rider
- rein lameness
… and much more!

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