Cappadocia
Leg Control
and
by
Sandi Simons
l
eg control and body position for both horse and
rider are intricately intertwined. The rider's leg
position directly influences the horse's body
and in so doing influences its legs and where it is
putting its body! The rider's body position, and how
they control their body, influences their leg position,
which in turn influences the control they have over
the horse's body and legs and so on and so forth!
Sounds confusing doesn't it? However, it really isn't!
Many riders have had endless lessons with the words
ringing in their ears "Put your leg on your horse!!"
or "Push him into the outside rein using your inside
leg." Or "Use more leg in your upward/downward
transition." etc. It is a common catchcry across the
equestrian disciplines and can be misunderstood and
misused to the detriment of both horse and rider.
ZoneD oUt
Young children are commonly seen on their ponies
kick, kick, kicking their little legs flapping madly
at the pony's sides and the pony standing stock still
oblivious to the frantic requests of its small rider. The
pony has `zoned out' and built up a tolerance to the
continual pressure and flapping of its rider's legs. It
is not too long a bow to draw that there are many older
A rider should not
have to constantly
ask their horse
to move forward,
get off their inside
leg, stop falling
out through the
shoulders or stop
falling in on the
circle.
Some riders
find putting
their leg on
physically
difficult
Continued
Request,
Response
and RewaRd
Body
Position
photographs by Kasey Kennedy