Leg Yield advice

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katiejaye

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Finally Louis is producing some lovely lateral work minus the fireworks and strops! However, the big problem is that when practicing leg yield down the 3/4 line in trot he tends to rush the movement...rather than moving forwards and sideways he tenses up and leg yields but very quickly with a very exagerated cross over (Its the same in half pass as well). I have tried doing a couple of steps and then straight line couple of steps straight line but once he gets it into his head I want leg yield he tenses and rushes sideways. I don't want to get angry with his as I'm sure it's not naughtiness I just think he gets a little confused. He's not dropping his shoulder anymore or being unsteady in his head. He now gets the idea but can't quite fathom moving forwards and sideways. It's a little less rushed on the diagnal but I need to perfect it on the centre line/ 3/4 line for the tests.

So q is, without stressing him out how can I get him moving a little more forwards in the movement rather than rushing sideways into the movement.
 
Do it along the side of the school so he cant rush sideways. Once hes mastered that take it back to the 3/4 line. Altho i always ride it from one corner of the arena to the other, as you have far more space and time to prepare and keep on correcting this way. When you are on the 3/4 line you will be running out of space far too quickly if you are needing to correct him all the time.
 
I'm sure you already do this but have you tried few steps leg yield few steps straight etc. When Molly either rushes or doesn't move from my leg I always bring her to walk and try at walk for a few steps untill she listens, not sure if that is correct though.
 
Do you mean from the 3/4 line to the track? If so, maybe try practicing going the other way (track to 3/4 line) for a bit as some horses try to rush back to the track.
 
thanks, i was hoping you'd reply
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What do you mean when you say along the side of the school...do you mean come down the long side and leg yield away from the wall? (sorry if that's a silly q!). I know what u mean with the corner to corner, my trainer tought it to me that way. Louis tends not too rush that much that way but as soon as I go back the the 3/4 line/centre line again he starts rushing Maybe I need to go back a step again and get him listening a bit more before i go back to the 3/4 line?
 
thanks, i do that already but once he gets it into his head that he should be leg yielding he is reluctant to go straight again and would rather keep rushing sideways
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you mean from the 3/4 line to the track? If so, maybe try practicing going the other way (track to 3/4 line) for a bit as some horses try to rush back to the track.

[/ QUOTE ]

thanks yes that's what I mean. Yes it's def that we wants to rush to the track as he does leg yield better away from the track. The problem is that in the tests you need to to the track so I want to try and nip the rushing in the bud. He's very established in the lateral work it's simply leg yielding to the track that seems to cause the most issues with rushing.
 
As PG says, leg yielding along the wall is a good one, just make sure you don't get too much angle.
Also, have you tried riding a walk transition and trot on again within the leg yield movement? The idea being that it emphasises the half halt and makes him 'wait' for you.
Also check that your outside leg isn't either too strong or 'clamped' on. Do you use it in rhythm, on and off? Are you supporting him with your inside leg? Can you give and retake the reins in the leg yield, or does he get strong when he rushes sideways?
 
no, actually along the track - so his quarters come in from the track as if he was leg yeilding but his moving sideways along the track with his hindlegs on an inside track.

I think getting him listening to you more is a good idea, theres no point going over and over ad getting nowhere!! Break it down and mayb do some in walk aswell.
 
Try zig zag-ing in the leg yield. You can do it all over the school, either from the track or from the centre line. Start him off leg yielding one way then when he starts to rush or fall change direction and leg yield him the other way. It will stop him thinking he needs to get back to the track and get him listening. This works with my mare when she gets stuffy and shortens her stride.
 
Trot-walk transitions within the leg-yield and then trot again.

Have you ever considered having a lesson with John Lasseter? He is fab for stuff like this, has an answer to every evasion without it ever turning into a drama and everything makes perfect logical sense- well worth going to!! (he's near Goodwood)
 
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