lateral work

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sylvapak

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right then, need some tips on getting lateral work started properly.

Im gonna find someone to give a few lessons but first i thought i would see if any of you could give some pointers... like how you ride it and how to prepare etc as my mind kind of goes blank everytime i think about it.

do you start in walk or try from trot?

and what does the horse look like from above when you ride it etc

i know it sounds rediculous as i work for kitty etc but she is so busy i have never had the chance to ask her for any riding advice and when people start talking about lateral work i kind of think... yeh i need to do some of that... and then my jaw kind of drops to the floor and i tune out... thats why i need it written dowso i can read it over... and over... and over...

so yeh a dummies guide!

thanks all!
 
You say what does it look like from above when you ride it- this depends on which lateral movement you are riding.

I would always start with gentle leg yielding (remember the flexion is away from the direction of movement and the body stays straight- so ride down 3/4 line ( say on right rein) and ride leg yield left back to the track- so slight flexion to the right and use your right leg to encourage the horse to move to the left (your left leg stays a little back to guard the quarters- your right rein asks for the flexion and then stays light and your left rein is what your horse is stepping into and controls the angle and shoulders). Try in walk and ride a couple of steps and then ride forward and repeat- if the shoulders move over too much and you lose straightness, then you need to play with more left rein and right leg- to keep the straigtness and encourage the horse to step over.

Easier to start with to have someone on the ground helping you get it right.

HTH
 
Dressage Chick has given you some good advice. Don't read too much about it because you can scramble your brain. It is better to get an instructor who will be able to talk you through it while you're riding, or even show you. TYhere are also various instructional DVDs but an instructor on the ground is the best way.

Don't worry, the mysteries will all unfold before you & will become clear.
smile.gif
 
I start my youngsters off my trotting cirles and spirrel down to smaller circles, then asking them to move out using my inside leg to yield out. They soon pic up this and move out when you apply your leg. Hope this helps. Ok I know Im no expert but this is how I start.
 
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