1 Conformation

If your horse is built a little downhill, like Martini, you’ll need to encourage him to take more weight behind and lighten his forehand. Alison explains how.

Exercise 1: Turn on the haunches

In this exercise you’re going to practice turning on a large V shape in walk. This will help with: Transferring weight onto your horse’s hind legs Creating a lighter forehand and rein contact Preventing you from leaning with your body to steer Establishing the outside aids to contain your horse’s outside shoulder

How to ride it

1. On the left rein walk into the C-H corner

2. As you reach H, turn your horse to ride a turn on the haunches onto the diagonal heading for B.

3. Just before B, make a turn on the haunches to the right onto the next diagonal line and then ride straight toward K.

Demonstrating a good turn on the haunches, you can clearly see Martini crossing her front legs as she turns onto the diagonal line