Lateral movements.....

Lateral movement is often done wrong...or I should say its done in a manner that is not beneficial to your horse or your connection to your horse. First off it should feel fluid and easy...if it doesn't you may be trying to hard or asking for too much too soon. When starting with a simple leg yield I tell my students to go through a check list.....first make sure you have a solid connection with your outside rein and establish a slight inside bend making sure your horse is light in the inside hand....shift your weight into the seat bone in the direction you wish your horse to move and then add pressure with your inside leg from the hip down to the heel. You ask for the lateral movement with a pulse of that leg in the rhythm of your trot. When teaching your horse the leg yield it helps to open your inside hand so as to make sure they keep a nice inside bend. If at anytime your horse changes speed or losses the connection in the outside hand getting crooked....STOP the lateral movement by wrapping both legs around your horse and pushing him into even supple contact in both hands until you re establish your tempo and inside bend. If you are having trouble wait to practice with your trainer or practice at the walk until it becomes second nature to you both.