Some notes on Leg Yielding.

Teaching the horse to move away from our leg toward the opposite hand is an important foundation exercise. The Leg Yield helps development of the horses “under carriage” muscles.

If the leg yield (preformed as correctly as we can) is practiced regularly, the transition to shoulder-in is easier as the horse has enough strength to start lifting the stomach and bending the rib-cage.

The exercise also teaches the rider the diagonal coordination of the aids. At the beginning the riders aids are “loud” and the “gears grind”, something like learning to drive a “Stick Shift” (standard transmission) car.

As the rider improves their feel and prowess, the Leg Yield becomes automatic.

THE GOAL: Both Rider and Horse float Leg Yield across the arena in suppleness and relaxation.