Get Your Leg on - How to Use Your Leg Effectively in Dressage

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Get Your Leg On - How to Use Your Leg Effectively for Dressage
The leg is arguably one of THE MOST important aids that we use to communicate with our horse. The leg is primarily a driving aid - it is what gets the horse to move forward - but the leg can also be used as a turning aid, a bending aid, and a lateral aid that asks the horse to move sideways!
There are 4 different sections of your leg that can be used to communicate with your horse:
Upper leg - from you hip rotate the thigh in so that you have contact with the knee in the saddle. There should not be daylight between your upper thigh and the saddle. The upper thighs can be used to help with a turning aid and the upper leg is important to support your seat to stay in the saddle.
The Calf- ideally most of the driving aids come from your calf. When asking for a walk-trot transition for example, you want the horse to listen to just simply squeezing with the calf.
The Heel - if the horse doesn’t listen to the calf, then the heel can come in to remind the horse to listen to the closing of the calf. With the heel, you can use a pressing or a bumping aid although generally the bumping aid is more effective!
The Spur - the spur is considered an “auxiliary aid.” It is an extra aid and while the spur can be very useful to getting the horse more sensitive to the leg aid, it is very important not to over use the spur.
Common mistakes:
Going first to the spur - many riders forget to use their calf and upper leg and go right away to the spur. In Dressage we want to have invisible aids so it is important to always start first from the calf, then use the spur only if needed!
Drawing the leg upward and shortening the leg. Remember to use the leg, and then make your leg long again. Keeping the leg long will allow you to have a correct and following seat. If the leg is clamped on, it will block the horse from moving.
Leaning forward and pulling when using the leg aids. A leg aid should be from the waist down. The upper body DOES NOT CHANGE! Yet many riders, especially when asking for the canter tend to lean forward and pull!
Giving mixed signals - Kicking and pulling! Many riders unintentionally tell the horse to go and stop at the same time. Be sure to use either the driving aids or the restraining aids but not both at the same time!
How do you improve the effective use of the leg aids?
Transitions are a great way to work on the effective use of the leg aids. Start with walk-halt-walk transitions, then move on to walk-trot-walk transitions. Always start by asking first just from the calf. Then go to the heel. The goal is that you have invisible aids so always start first with the calf!
I hope these tips are helpful for you! What is your biggest struggle with using your legs and with your leg position?
Happy Riding!
Amelia

[@NolanMCruz]

Love that you talk about the leg staying up at the girth. So many people want the shoulder hip heel ratio that they force their legs so far back that they don't realize how far back they've gone and end up rolled onto their crotch. Also I think your thought on the saddle and girth (they're there all the time and the horse ignores it) is fantastic in relation to the leg being too far back and the horse ignoring it too. The horse really just thinks, "this is just how my person rides."

[@FrenchAnn56]

What I like about this video is that you break down the leg position and explain what each change in position accomplishes.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it! I just did a webinar on Rider Position, check it out: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-rider-position-webinar

[@lindav3747]

I like when you said “ use your leg, then make your leg long again”. That’s a good visual

[@jeng5234]

Amelia, I love your videos! I recently started working with a very knowledgeable dressage instructor but I didn't go to my lessons with a game-plan or strategy. The more I started to train, the more I started looking for videos to complement the training. There are a LOT of these types of "riding tip" videos out there, but I find yours to consistently useful and informative. Now, I take some of the info from your videos to my instructor so she can help me put theory into practice. It works out so nicely; I feel like I'm really getting a lot out of pairing your videos with my lessons. Thank you so much for making these videos available!

[@susangillham8771]

I love these weekly topics and videos. I never tire or stop benefiting from these basic instructions. I just bought a new saddle that is so much easier to sit in but this video reminds me to continue to be conscious of my leg position and be systematic and accurate in my leg aids. Thank you!!

[@christinas907]

Love how you break down every step and the details. Thank you. From someone who can't afford lessons your videos help me alot

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you like them!

[@user-bu7fl5qb6y]

Thank you, great visuals!

[@naturallinlife]

You have so good explenations- Thanks. I wonder if you have or can make a video of the work of the seat and hippmotions during diffrent movement like drive forward, collection, halt, and other movments in dressage programs? That would be so intresting. I often wonder about that.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Sorry I didn't see this comment earlier! I do have one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4bZpGSnrNZkY5Y

[@Ida_flower_spot]

Great video, good tips.👏🏽

[@gracekoob5805]

Great video Amelia! Very helpful.

[@deeparker6474]

Super detail Amelia. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@mailitedd185]

I love the close up shots of your leg. This is the first time I understood what on the girth and behind the girth look like. Thank you for this.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome! Glad you liked it!

[@andreacampparker9419]

Finally a clear explanation wiith demonstration THANKS ❤️

[@other2535]

Thank you for all the vids and HNY 🍺 You are the best!!!

[@melissawalker2793]

Thank you Amelia

[@catherinemeyes2783]

Thank you for your wonderful help 😊.

[@tracee1962]

HI! Just found you recently, but I am truly loving your videos! Great instruction, so easy to understand. Thank you for doing this!

[@sandradrew8695]

This is one of my favorite videos! Can’t wait to try it.

[@KristaChristian]

Great video and great explanation of correct use versus incorrect use. I do pretty good on going forward, but have problems with my leg position in doing lateral work. Sometimes, it's like they have a mind of their own!

[@shortyw74]

Thank you for your video and wonderful explanation. It's really refreshing to see a dressage rider who doesn't find it necessary to constantly kick their horse every stride!

[@careywilman2546]

Really enjoying the video's and understanding more what dressage is all about. Its fun. And challenging. Thank you Amelia

[@northernirishgal2681]

Great tips

[@mairwright2806]

So informative. I move my leg back and being aware of that is very useful. Thank you

[@mohammadheydarpanah6864]

wow . one of the best video about horse riding 👍👍👍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much for watching Mohammed!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ (If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!) I’m also on FB and IG facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website (for when all the social media goes down again 🤣) www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴

[@debistevens3238]

All of your videos provide such profound and effective information. My horse and I are so thankful that you are willing to share with us. The improvements in our overall performance and harmony in 2020 has been phenomenal. Just want you to know we appreciate how hard it must be to make so many instructional videos. They are greatly appreciated! Debi

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay!! Glad to hear the videos are helpful!

[@karilanham811]

Very helpful!

[@hesteline]

Love your videos, such a good help now in corona times... thank you for great content.

[@dvbowes]

Thank you! That was the best education on the leg aides. Thanks for breaking down the term. I often hear “put more leg on” or “use more leg”. Breaking the aid leg into it’s functional parts: calf, thigh, heel and spur with each of their applications so much more helpful!🎉

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martinerastorfer9289]

love the tail!!

[@falizianme5846]

Work on this every ride! On OFF! Quiet... I can get to grippy! And lose my hip swing! Its getting easier! But I still have to check in with what my legs are doing!

[@karlahernandez5750]

I just figured this out. Now I have to do it on my pony. Thank you for explaining it so well!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@babaramckenzie2656]

Thank you so much for doing these videos! I’m learning so much! I’ve ridden western all of my life and now I am switching disciplines to ride dressage. I have so much to learn and your videos are helping me so much! Thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are welcome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos

[@aniab4306]

Super helpful video ! Thanks a lot❤ I really love your videos😍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you like them!

[@annakuta8031]

will practice 🙂

[@joericlaessens]

Hallo, i love the tips that you give for a better position of my sit and a better reaction of the horse. I follow you from Belgium♥️

[@rajeevbhardwaj8514]

Very informative and useful too

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zodiacmindwarp2691]

Thank you Amelia, i find your videos so helpful and informative. Could you please share some advice and tips for the aids for mire nuanced movements?

[@Justjack613]

Very nice video.

[@spiridoulaathanasopoulou9244]

Amelia here in Greece we love you

[@nigelsmith1243]

Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for watching Nigel!

[@sashaaugust8251]

Fire the camera man!😂 anyways great helpful videos as always

[@cynthiaspalding8027]

Nice description..

[@spiridoulaathanasopoulou9244]

PERFECT

[@leec5170]

What a sweet horse. My guy is pretty forward, which is so nice. He just doesn't stay on the bit all the time. It's lack of fitness, I think. I can't ride him as often as I need to. Nice explanation of the canter aid! So many people have it wrong.

[@elizabethpasquinelli156]

This is very timely for me - have been working on my leg position quite a bit. Do have a problem with my right leg going too far forward . . . Once you have established the proper leg position how do you manage to keep it there? Also, would be lovely to have more slow motion clips. Thank you for doing this - your explanations have helped me analyze my problems and begin to fix them. Remapping old habits are so hard!!!! But you are providing valuable tools to do so.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha. Yes. That’s the hard part! It takes a lot of practice and rehearsing to remember to keep your leg in the correct position.

[@sigriursifmagnusdottir4898]

Great video👌í love your boots were are they available 😊

[@carlosdeleon1865]

Helo Amelia! Thanks for sharing this with us. One question. What to do when yo ride a school horse that is too lazy or has not been train so well that needs constant leg to move forward and stops the moment you put the leg off.

[@Weezdabadcats1]

Thank you for this is a very helpful video...finally I can visualise the leg positions that until now have only been words floating in the air!! I do have one question: how can I work on having a quiet leg? Your legs (granted, after many years of a LOT of riding) are so quiet...my very inexperienced legs are not. Any suggestions to help with this? Thank you!

[@melindastoker9838]

Helpful video. I wish we could see more of your seat and upper leg. I am practicing stopping using upper leg and hip / pubic bone angle and would love to have a bit more info and examples where I can see your full leg and seat. Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Melinda, thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! You can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips here! bit.ly/3FE0y8c Also, if you love my content, I’d love if you left me a review on google! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review

[@pamelarbray]

What do you suggest if your horse just doesn't respond well to calf, heel or spur? Thank you for these videos!

[@Cmccullen1]

What exercises , if any, do you do out of the tack to stay so fit ?

[@markwatson3135]

Thank you for this video, I ride feet out, my instructor was trying to explain turning my feet in and using upper legs and calf. This video really explains that!

[@ninawilliams7701]

Hi Amelia can you give me an outline of what I should be training with my FEI schoolmaster daily so that he doesn't get bored or irritated. How to change up the daily sessions to have a happy horse, but still be able to practice in order to get better as a rider. Thank you!

[@katkas.3066]

You can use your leg and keep it long at the same time. You just extend your leg back and down while giving the aid (allowing your hip flexors to really stretch), keeping your hips open and not using the inner muscles of your leg. That way you really send the horse forward instead of just pushing him in between your legs :) That open position is sometimes enough by itself to let the horse go forward and you don´t really need that much of pressure, maybe some 10% than when you shorten the leg while giving the aid (this way you push his shoulder a little and this kind of keeps him back from the movement). Cool videos.

[@theplannernymph1280]

This! There is a big difference between a concentric contraction that shortens a muscle vs an eccentric contraction that is using the muscle while it remains long. Keeping the leg long as you use it is far more effective and softer. No need to shorten it at all.

[@yogawithkassandra]

@@theplannernymph1280 Ok so this is exactly what I'm struggling with!! When I use my leg, my muscles contract and it causes my feet to hover out of the stirrup slightly. Then my heel lifts and it's a mess... I'm really confused as to how I can engage the muscles in my leg without contracting and shortening them.. Any tips??

[@violettechatard1790]

Hey could you explain how to do the transition between stop to trot ? I dont really know how to do

[@rachelgrace2382]

Hey Amelia! Thank you so much for this video! It’s so helpful!! But my coaches are always telling me to keep my leg “on” constantly to achieve roundness and drive your horse from the hind legs... Can you share your thoughts on that? Thank you!

[@minderellafox7906]

It’s a good question and I hope Amelia sees this and replies. It depends, on a lazy horse you want to ride with your leg off a bit , and not constantly nagging. On a hot horse you want to keep leg a little on. Even on a lazy horse tho, the leg does need to be there to balance the horse, but not always squeezing. Hope that helped a little

[@Marlee195]

I have a very hot mare that has trained me to keep my legs off, I'm trying to rectify this now. I also have a very lazy gelding who I have to keep my leg back in the canter or he falls out to trot. I working on this by carrying a whip and as my instructor says, make it his responsibility to keep going, not mine.

[@barbvernon9454]

My trainer uses the analogy of your legs being like wet towels draping around the horses sides. Maybe that’s what your trainer means by “leg on” Rachel? I find the towel analogy helpful to think about feeling my horse under my calf all the time but only squeezing when I need to use a leg aid. If you tried to use leg aids constantly your horse would soon learn to ignore the pressure and it would be hard work for the rider.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Wondering about your strengths and weaknesses as a rider? Take this FREE rider assessment quiz to find out! Https://quiz.amelianewcombdressage.com

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Nice refresher, I have been a bit nagging with my legs.

[@lenam8289]

Can you add in how you put spur on, Ive never used them

[@sherrysullens488]

Thank you so much for this excellent information and openly sharing with us. I appreciate your explanation. Although I find it difficult to keep watching with half the horse and your upper body cut off in the video.

[@KimH11]

Can you talk to us about the girth placement. My coach doesn’t allow the girth to be near the “armpit” but sometimes I feel it’s too far back ..

[@Marlee195]

I was thinking the same but I have a horse shaped like this one and because of the forward girth groove it doesn't matter where I put the saddle it all slips forward. This horse doesn't seem to be bothered by it but my horse is a nightmare.

[@katealcaraz2218]

This video is awesome! I watch you now religiously when I do the dishes late at night. It would be easier to see your leg though if you weren’t wearing all black. 🤣🤗💗

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

When you are doing dishes!! Thats great! I like black! But I see your point!

[@beautyadvisor735]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Dishes are otherwise SO boring. I like black too. 💗

[@JustAgirly0]

That saddle pad is almost invisible under the shading 😂

[@TheQueenAndTheKing]

There are no stupid questions right? Do you also give pressure on the putside calf for canter (do both legs), or just only on the inside leg?

[@andreea.07]

So, when you are cantering in a straight line, do you keep your outer leg behind the girth?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes, because that tells your horse to stay on the correct lead. Hope that helps!

[@andrewbirtle3603]

A few questions: 1) "Heel's down!" the mantra of my hunt seat education...does it matter in dressage? 2) Does the amount of pressure you put on the stirrup iron make any difference? 3) How does one "lighten the seat" without standing on the stirrup irons? Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes. Your heels should be down. But not jammed too far down...

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You can lighten your seat by sitting just a hair forward and tightening a little the inner thigh.

[@juliekeys4992]

Is that a DB saddle.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It's from Custom Saddlery

[@jennphil7094]

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The stock market for 2021 was terrifying and proved difficult to invest in

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

Would have been nice to see more of your torso here. But this was a really helpful video.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes. Sorry about that!

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage It happens!! Can't ride and film at the same time. :) Your videos are super helpful.

[@LauraT193]

Great video! I don't love the camera work in this one..

[@lahijasalvaje]

Qué pena que el video se grabó pésimamente mal, no se ve nada de la mitad del video hasta el final

[@zainabm3216]

Hello, dont know who is filming you but thet didnt do a good job. We are wTching mostly the horse legs lol. But thank you for the information

[@dianereiser6417]

You’re behind the bit.

[@iorewilbuione6779]

I'm Alone 😍😥

[@KimH11]

Spam

[@Kelly_Ben]

Then you have more time to ride! I recommend putting a bra on first though...