Dressage Pointers: Introducing Leg Yielding In The Walk

In this video, Cooley and I will demonstrate how you and your horses can get started with the leg yield in the walk. This is one of the first exercises you can teach your horses to introduce lateral movements under saddle which will help increase their flexibility as well as their sense of balance and coordination. I will show you how to use your aids to assist your horses in the most supportive way to maintain their rhythm and relaxation while they are learning to travel forward-sideways. And I will show you how slowing down your horses’ movement process will help to calm your horses in case they may get a bit anxious, hasty and unbalanced at first.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you understand or refresh your memory about the term ‘leg yielding.’

What is a leg-yield?
Most simply put: The leg-yield is a lateral movement in which a horse travels both forward and sideways at the same time.

What is the official definition of the leg yield in Dressage?
The rule book (USDF) defines the leg yield as a movement in which ‘the horse is kept almost straight, except for slight flexion of the poll away from the direction in which he moves, and the inside legs pass and cross in front of the outside legs with the forehand slightly in advance of the quarters.’

What is the purpose of leg yielding?
Leg yielding is often one of the first lateral movements taught to young horses to encourage them to respond to leg aids by moving away from the leg. Learning leg yield (and half pass) helps horses improve their balance when ridden. It is also one of the first exercises to address and help the horses’ natural unevenness. 

How do you teach a horse to leg yield?
The best way to introduce the leg yield is from the ground. You can see more about this in my training video called 'Groundwork Pointers: Introducing The Horse To Lateral Movements On The Ground’ —    • Groundwork Pointers: Introducing The ...  .

If you are not familiar with the ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ type of riding in the walk you may find it helpful to watch this video: ‘Dressage Pointers: The Walk (2) — The Rider’s Seat and Aids’ —    • Dressage Pointers: The Walk (2) — The...  . With continuous practice you will be able to reduce your shoulder-movement to a minimum while your horses will become more finely tuned to the benefits of this type of riding.

Also, check out the arena graphics for the pattern and grab a screenshot so you can use it for your own setup at home.

Happy riding! :)


Horse: Cooley (Windchase KilCooley), 12-year-old gelding, Irish Sport Horse. Background: Imported from Ireland; formerly ridden and competed as a three-day-eventer. Health: Continuous, thoughtful management of stomach problems/ulcers, bouts of colic as well as arthritis in his hocks. Training: Careful Dressage and ground training while taking into consideration former shoulder injury/surgery. Temperament (0 being extremely calm/laid-back, 10 being highly excitable/hot): 6. Personality: Kind, dominant gelding with a tendency to show resistance and twist/stick his tongue out when feeling nervous/stressed. Sweet spot: Needs his time in the warm-up; attentive and patient when it comes to trying to figure out new things; noticeably loves to perform movements he has learned and enjoys using his body as he continues to become a stronger, more balanced athlete.

And get your free Arena Pattern Guide at https://www.katjaelk.com/youtube-channel.

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California-based Dressage trainer, instructor, clinician and life coach, Katja Elk, provides gentle training solutions for riders and horses of all backgrounds.
“Over the course of my life, I have been fortunate enough to learn from many amazing human and equine teachers. In my videos, I share tips and pointers with people interested in expanding their knowledge about foundational Dressage and different types of groundwork. You will see me work with horses of various breeds, levels and backgrounds, highlighting parts of the journey we call work-in-progress with our equine partners. None of the shown clips are flawless, but they are honest attempts to show you ways to nurture a kind, joyful and productive relationship with your horses as you are exploring the finer points of Dressage and groundwork.”
Katja applies the concept of a friendly, trust-based, two-way communication system to riding Dressage, work-in-hand as well as groundwork such as halter-work, longeing/lungeing and longlining.
Additionally, Katja, a Martha Beck certified master life coach, works with people who are looking for relief from anxiety, depression and/or other challenges in their lives.

https://www.katjaelk.com

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