Ride&Train
Horse and Rider|Spring 2023
LEG PRESSURE IS AN IMPORTANT FUNDAMENTAL for your horse to have, even if you never have plans of stepping into the show pen. Understanding leg pressure and having a horse that knows how to willingly move off your leg when you apply it is a skill set that you can use in just about any riding scenario. Read on to learn how I like to introduce my horses to leg pressure.
Ride&Train

Leg Pressure

One of the first things I like to do with a horse I’m working with is introduce him to leg pressure. It’s an essential tool that I use daily when I’m riding, and before I can go on to more exciting maneuvers like spins or flying lead changes, my horse needs to have a good understanding of what it is.

It’s easy to get into a hurry when teaching your horse fundamental skills like this, and it can often feel repetitive. But when I first introduce my horse to leg pressure and show him to how to move off my leg, I’m not looking for any large movements right away. A step here and a step there is all I need. In fact, if I ask for too much in one session, I risk giving my horse information overload and causing frustration, setting us back even further.

One

When I first start introducing my horse to leg pressure, I use my arena fence to help me. By placing my horse in front of my fence, it naturally blocks her from walking forward and encourages her to move to the side without me having to wrestle with her mouth and frustrate her.

Since the horse I’m riding is a green horse, I ride her two-handed in a snaffle bit to ensure she understands my cues but doesn’t get intimated by my hand pressure in the process.

Two

I put my left leg on my horse’s side and take note on how she responds to the pressure. My spur is only an extension of my leg and shouldn’t be the first thing to touch my horse’s side.

If my horse doesn’t respond to my original leg cue, then I’ll go to my spur to encourage movement.

This story is from the Spring 2023 edition of Horse and Rider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Spring 2023 edition of Horse and Rider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE AND RIDERView All
A Horseback High
Horse and Rider

A Horseback High

Riding vacations can be found around the world, and here are five bucket list rides in the United States

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2023
JOIN THE CLUB!
Horse and Rider

JOIN THE CLUB!

Riding clubs of all forms can be found across the country. What should you look for when choosing—or starting—a club of your own? We asked three club leaders to share their insights

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2023
Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!
Horse and Rider

Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!

Do you depend on over-the-phone advice from your veterinarian? Here's what you need to know about telehealth to help you understand what you can, and can't, expect

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2023
REPLACING FEAR WITH CURIOSITY
Horse and Rider

REPLACING FEAR WITH CURIOSITY

Horses have both flight and investigative behaviors but not at the same time. Learn how to help your horse switch to curiosity when his flight instincts kick in, and how to put the brakes on when he's already gone

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2023
Ranch Riding Mares
Horse and Rider

Ranch Riding Mares

Evaluate and place these performance mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2023
An Empty Stall
Horse and Rider

An Empty Stall

The loss of a horse leads to a new landscape of managing emotions and moving forward

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2023
Strengthen Your Mental Game
Horse and Rider

Strengthen Your Mental Game

Prepare your mind for peak performances with your horse by implementing these tips from reining trainer Shane Brown

time-read
4 mins  |
Summer 2023
Burning Off the Fresh
Horse and Rider

Burning Off the Fresh

Whether your horse has gone unridden due to a health problem, the weather, or your schedule, a thoughtful process can keep everyone safe during his return to work

time-read
4 mins  |
Summer 2023
Return to Exercise Slowly
Horse and Rider

Return to Exercise Slowly

If you’ve been turned out to pasture for a while, as the result of injury or just a busy life, return to exercise in a safe and steady way

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2023
Ground Tying for Ranch Trail
Horse and Rider

Ground Tying for Ranch Trail

There are many reasons to teach your horse how to safely ground tie

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2023