Inside Leg to Outside Hand

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mickey

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....the most basic and fundamental of things I know. However, I have discovered after a very long time (*shamed*) that I am continually dropping the outside rein, esp on the right rein, giving my horse nothing to work into. When I take hold of the outside rein (which I have really been trying) he goes really quite nicely now. BUT I am finding it so hard to do - Anyone got any tips...... I haven't really had any help on the ground for a long time.
Sorry, I know this is going to sound like I am totally crap!!
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In a sense it is basic as it is foundational, but I don't think it is basic in the sense of being easy to do. I struggle with it loads!!!

Try shoulder in and keep giving away the inside rein as you do it to check that the horse is truly lifting off the shoulders rather than you pulling him inwards. Then you can progress this exercise with a 10m circle in the corner, shoulder in along the long side. If that works well try adding another 10m circle at the end of the shoulder in and before you hit the short side (so you're not bouncing off the wall).

In canter try 10m circles again while giving away the inside rein. I find this terribly difficult especially on the right rein, which clearly means I am hawling the horse round rather than bending him!!
 
Yes, thanks very much. I have been doing small circles then going into shoulder in, but I am quite sure that I am dropping the outside rein and asking for far too much bend to the inside. I should think if I try to release the inside rein I will end up stationary!!!!!!! Definitely a good idea, I am going to find it really tricky, I can envisage it now, but it has to be addressed. I like the canter exercise too.......Perhaps I have to almost think outside bend sometimes? I am horrified at how much I drop it. Poor horse!
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Don't know if it will help you but a few years ago my teacher tied some baling twine from the bit to the D rings of the saddle (not too tight) and make me ride for about 10 minutes on the lunge whilst concentrating on not letting the outside go slack. It certainly helped me and didn't have to repeat the exercise.
 
I like the idea of that exercise, it sounds good. I have lunge lessons sometimes so I can try it.
I think I have been perfecting this fatal habit for a LONG time now!!!! Hence why it is so important to have a set of eyes on the ground more often I think.
 
nice to know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I;m ok on one rein but not on the right rein....it seems no matter how hard I try I can't get the same contact unless he is bending to the outside, which isn't the answer
 
I would try changing your thought process a little and use more inside leg then keep a constant outside contact, if you release your inside rein and your horse stops then you don’t have enough inside leg on. To ensure this is working i give with my inside rein to check if all is right then your horse shouldn’t change.

I would also position his head slight straighter so you can feel an even contact on both reins.
 
Yes BFG I think it is very easy not to use enough inside leg, especially as my horse is well off the leg and then I feel he is running - I know the answer to that is transitions! I spend a lot time bending and flexing as he tends to be quite stiff. Perhaps I need to do more straight line work so that I can get totally even on that line and then level with seatbones/legs as well as hands?
 
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