04/12/2026
I wanted to share my thoughts from this still shot that a client/friend of mine posted the other day from a ride I did on her just 4 year old mare.
My intent to re-post this pic is only because it is such a hard thing to articulate to my students when I’m teaching!!!! 😮💨
The inside leg…to the outside “light” holding rein- to the inside ring finger squeezes- back to the inside leg
(supporting outside leg if needed)…again, to the constant soft outside rein contact….AND the inside GIVE (seen in photo and exaggerated) is so vital!!! The “give” is where all of this makes sense to the horse when trying to ride from the hind end to the front. ❤️
All of these aids work in concert together with the horse. Nothing stays in a “hold” or a “press” but rather always intermittently having a conversation with the horse. If you constantly hold or press with leg or hand then you create a very unhappy horse.
It’s still a conundrum for many but I would love to try and help break down that “feel” for others.
Maybe this doesn’t help illustrate….but the “give” seen here and the horse’s response with softness….while my inside leg and outside rein are still active to keep the horse in the shape I desired to create, might help illuminate 💡….
I’m aware I’m not a GP rider and open to learning ALWAYS….just trying to help close the gap for people who really want to learn and try so hard to attain that “feel” and softness in their horse.
