How to Engage Your Horse's Hind End!

[@MrChocomaster]

Thanks for very nice point "belly button pulled into your spine"

[@kellygraham6695]

Amazing how you can ride and talk this well😂 I would be huffing and puffing

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha it’s taken practice!

[@FallDogBones]

My instructor got on my case for not engaging the hind end lately; this and your how to feel the hind legs video is so helpful!! Thank you

[@shonamathie1607]

I wonder did you ask them to explain how to do that? I think lots of instructors are happy to tell you what’s wrong but can’t always tell you how to fix it. Xx

[@luispadula]

Beautiful ridding, gifted teacher. Enjoy all your videos.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!

[@JitkaVejrostova-hs4di]

Amelia is great because She tells the whole truth.

[@tonibrannan358]

Clear and concise! The formula every rider needs to develop their horse and themselves to produce that effective ride that commands those "Lovely Pair" comments from both spectators and judges alike!! Thank you!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@Horsepassion4life]

Omg this video couldn't have been uploaded at any better moment! Had a lesson today and we worked a lot on hind end engagement. Trainer was following me around with a whip for 1/3 of the lesson. (On a very hot morning bless her). 😅 He's on the "lazy" side but wants to please. If I get him to go quicker he gets long and disorganized. Getting that tempo is tough. If I get the right tempo pushing ++ he'll enter 🦌 mode, hollow back and all. Then if I ask him to round up more while keeping the tempo he curls behind the bit. Send help 😂 Mind you he's still building muscle. ❤

[@krissstevens5967]

Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you !!!!

[@scpmpf]

Thanks amelia like that you have plenty in the description as it helps when you are going back to rewatch.

[@mohegantrainingcentre8206]

Thank you for this, exactly what I need for my young boy to help him xo

[@martazambrzycka9309]

Okay so now I got what my instructor wanted of me yesterday! I was actually riding a jump-horse in a session using poles and cavalettis but the principle remains the same - engage the hind end with trot-canter-trot transitions and changing direction/leg. And oh, I will be doing some belly-scratching today! Thanks 😀

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay! That makes me happy to hear!

[@celiaallpress5010]

This video consolidates what I have been doing my last few rides now that spring has finally arrived...yay!! The t/c/t transitions are improving, his hind end is more engaged with frame but still not strong enough to w/c/w. Flying changes are in the future! Thanks for the great illustration.

[@joedavey6187]

Ace video one of your finest, probably because it was pretty much what I’ve been working on with one of mine today and so key at all levels!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it helped!

[@moonshadecat]

That glitch mid video scared me. Thank you for reminding me to subscribe. I have been searching you up consistently for advice. Definitely worth a sub! 🤣

[@natashayorath2782]

So helpful, it’s all about the transitions. 😂

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

They really are the key!

[@jaimerunstrom921]

My all time favorite trainer. Clear instructions and all bases covered. It’s so easy to watch then go ride and repeat. Easy small lessons to build on. ❤ love love 💕 love!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for the kind words

[@lauracox4009]

Amelia you have a great way of explaining this. You even show all the ways the horse doesn't use his hind end, and why that doesn't work for us. So clear, so concise, it's like I am looking at my own ride! What a light bulb moment! There are a number of objectives from horse and rider that have to come together, and now I am ready to make it happen. It's exactly what my trainer has been working on with me. Put together, this all makes so much sense. Thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@lucky17zeta]

This is very insiteful, I've been working a lot on suppleness recently on my pony but was too focused on suppling her neck, I'm now working on suppling her body and what your explaining is really clear and will help us to supple body and get better hind engagement. She can do it, and when she does it feels absolutely amazing! I am going to keep on training and hopefully get quicker results the stronger she gets and the more she learns how to use her body correctly ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I'm so glad it was helpful for you! Thank you for sharing your story. I love hearing from riders like you.

[@amandadonaghey7540]

Those are useful tips thank you😃 Your leg is looking excellent there too, Amelia 👍

[@TheNiacha]

Loved the "scratches" part 😊🥰haha! Thank you for the video !

[@BC-bd5zb]

Thanks Amelia. Very helpful video. And your horse is gorgeous! 😍

[@annastedman8257]

¡Gracias!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!

[@VickieSiever]

Great reinforcement of what my instructor has told me! Great reminders!

[@julieheyrman]

Thank you so much Amelia. I am grateful for all you continue to teach me. 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You’re very welcome! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content!

[@JM-yq4mf]

Love, love your videos. They are so clear and concise.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much!

[@juliedolan5949]

Once again I loved this video. LuLu and I are only really at the beginning of our next stage. She is only five and I have only been riding again (quite a time out of the saddle ). Your whole video made so much sense and I totally understand, as LuLu is still not sure how to engage her hind end, but also I was not knowing how to help her. You have now given me the understand of how this can all happen, not forgetting that my position plays a BIG part in this to. Which I will tell LuLu, so she knows we both have to work hard on this . Thank you Amelia

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So glad this was helpful! I know you and Lulu will make great progress!

[@sheryldraper3026]

Thank you... Very helpful!! I have an Arabian gelding who is a "Star gazer" so need to constantly focus on this.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You got this!

[@farah3376]

Amazing info/tips. Thanks Amelia

[@katelist8367]

Lovely Leo! Great vid!😊

[@lmelstrom]

Timely video! My horse is 21 and is dragging his hind toes at the canter (and gets heavy in the the rein ). we need to start building his strength and your suggestions r perfect ! Thank you !

[@StellarumCreative]

Thank you! My gelding is long in the back so it's kind of hard to get it so his hind legs aren't dragging way behind.

[@dorimurray-harris5149]

Great information! A difficult concept made simple. Thank you so much!

[@orsolyafrank573]

This really was super helpful, even more than usually - which is always.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad to hear it!

[@Khoyal]

Thank you for the help on transitions....very helpful :)

[@aleymorin]

Love this video ! And all of your videos. Very good ! Thank you

[@alidfielding3402]

Thanks Amelia. Very helpful and clear

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You’re welcome 😊

[@terrifrye2803]

Your analogy/breakdown of the lessons are incredibly helpful. Thank you so much, once again Amelia. Much love to you and your horse team. ♥️

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So glad!

[@benitascott3533]

Super video Amelia! Lovely useful demo of the tips ypu provide. Really loved the visualisation provided by the last tip, from the ground. Very helpful, thoughtful & considered. Thankyou indeed, for sharing! 🐎❤️🙏

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roxd8885]

Super helpful as I am just starting to decode the training scale, and have frequently puzzled why the canter was sluggish and “hard” to maintain…

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad this helped! Have you checked out my FREE pdf guide on the training scale? amelianewcombdressage.com/plan-your-ride-training-scale-pdf-o/

[@nancywaldrop2943]

Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome

[@elizabethcook8217]

Perfect timing for me! Thank you. ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

💕

[@sliyverinthesky]

thank you so much for sharing

[@fitzpat3]

So helpful thank you! Off to work on transitions ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay! Let me know how it goes :) and be sure to subscribe so you are notified of my weekly videos!

[@susanhw5728]

Love this!! So helpful. Thanks Amelia!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaidencarpenter7481]

Awesome video, thank you!!

[@fatima8798]

The video was supper amazing and useful❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing.

[@fatima8798]

❤️💋🌹

[@algypsy17]

Just excellent video, so well explained and demonstrated. I apply all these tips when doing groundwork, but I still have to improve when riding, so this video will be very helpful I think. I'd add backing up as an additional exercise : what do you think of it ?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! For sure rein back is a great exercise!

[@jean-micheldupille-vc2fy]

Merci Amelia, c'est très clair!👏👍

[@anna-karinwiklund3216]

Thank you, thank you very well explained and great movie. Will look every day befors I ride my horse🥰🥰

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great!! Thanks for letting me know that it helped!

[@hurriakhonoom]

Thank you, Amelia. This is very helpful 💕💕

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@michawika8991]

Thank you. This is my challenge to engage hind end of my horse in the first part of the training. He is a lazy one, so it is a bit demanding to engage his hind legs. Additionally, he is very sensitive in the mouth, so I am very careful about having following hand. On the other hand, it led us sometimes to the have him over a bit and in consequence lower his back. The most demanding for me is to find right balance of my aids to recirculate energy of the horse. I feel like a bumping between too much or too less hand, while struggling with engaging hind end.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is always a struggle. Good for you (and your horse) to have the awareness to recognize all of those things!

[@spaziocasainterioare1656]

Beautiful video as usual, thank you!!!💫🙏🙏🙏💌 As I work alone, my maine issue would be an eye on ground confirming all my feelings on being right or wrong. I will win the lotto and will have the eye on ground and will even come down there to meet you and all your precious team 💫🙏🙏🙏😇😀

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

video is super helpful!!

[@spaziocasainterioare1656]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage YES! as all your videos always are :)

[@thethomasfamily6402]

❤thank you for helping all of us try try try to reaching your level. Not easy but you're a very fine instructor. So patient, so kind so precise. You are excellent because you require precision❤.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@kathleenjantzen5387]

Wow that was helpful. What about a walk to canter transition?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Here's a video that will help: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/how-to-do-simple-changes/

[@elizabethschofield4375]

All excellent videos

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you very much!

[@elizabethschofield4375]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I am an older rider. I was so helped by your video of engaging the hind end .I am having trouble keeping her in the canter . Although it’s way better . It was so helpful .

[@juliapalmer553]

Thank you, that helps

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hope you can come to my goal setting bootcamp: amelianewcombdressage.com/free-online-riding-bootcamp/?KZbin&Strides+2025

[@dominiquecortese9886]

Great Amelia explaining so well.your tips really help me . Happy New Year. Dominique

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Happy new year!

[@lorettakent8973]

So helpful! Thank You

[@louisedownes4512]

Great video Amelia thankyou....you explain things so well 👍🤗🐴💕

[@joelbailey1595]

Thanks Amelia

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@alexroman8287]

Loved that video, thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ptowey5298]

When you watch your video, do you think he has a narrow base at piaffe?

[@debbihale3573]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out this FREE PDF on Canter: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/canter-with-confidence-o/

[@JenniferKanesellsflahomes]

Great video!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lauraoweineh0719]

Love this so much! Thank you for all of your valuable lessons ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@krisworman4120]

My horse has sacroiliac problems. I had him injected once but since we are mostly pleasure I decided not to do it again. He works nicely for me and that is all I need. He is 23 this year.

[@ptowey5298]

This was helpful visually. Can you train a horse to have as much lift/expression as they have in front. Teach tracking up. Lengthening stride through shoulder without quickening.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

For sure, but like with any training, it takes time and strength building

[@RhondaFisher-d8q]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jackielahey2266]

Thanks Amelia. This was super informative and answered all my questions. I don't always get notifications for you so I unsubscribed and then re subscribed. 👍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@Heidi.Fredriksberg]

Very useful! Thank you❣️ One question: why do you ride your horse behind the vertical? Its a lot of focus on this in europe theese days.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for reaching out with your question. As you know, riding is a journey and a process with no rider being perfect 100% of the time (we are all human after all!). Sometimes during filming, it can be hard to be 'perfect' in all aspects when Amelia is trying to get a point across about a certain element or focus on a specific teaching point (for example, demonstrating good and bad canter seats, or riding the exact shape of a pattern, etc). If she diverted to fix every little thing- the videos would be a whole training session long! Which isn't as educational for quick digestible videos on youtube. Amelia is always striving to be a better rider and teacher, and it's great to be able to have a record of videos going back over the years to see her development in both regards. It really showcases how everyone- even professionals, are always continually improving on themselves. Hope that answered your question, have a lovely day! :)

[@N12S10S]

I remember the first time my horse engaged his hind legs it felt like I was suddenly sitting on a ball 😹😹

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

What a great feeling!

[@tanyakemp9361]

Found this really interesting as now know my horse is running and clipping front feet just like your green horse did!! Gonna try these movements on the ground and see how much reaction and movement we get to lift and round. How long would you spend working on this in the saddle?? Thanks, Tanya

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Let me know if it helps your horse!

[@Khoyal]

What about a Friesian....what do you think about them? Just curious .....I know they can be heavy in the hands

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Kerry, All these exercises can help you with your Friesian!

[@Khoyal]

Thank you 😊

[@sbrink1]

Do we start the warm up with the horse on contact, connection and engaged hind/back, or do we warm up slower and then connect? Mthx

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Sharon, Great question. I like to get a nice active walk on a loose rein for a bit before I establish contact and work on connection.

[@sbrink1]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thankyou Amelia, I love what you are doing. Great understandable and effective info.🥰

[@BeaKing-ob7fq]

Amelia how are you half halting into csnter is it rein aid or just seat? Great video

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Mostly seat, a little bit of rein

[@alealezinha]

When you are riding and your horae engages his hind end, is the feeling like he is lifting your seat up? And the front of him gets a little lower?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Alessandra, Good question! When your horse is lifting his back (engaging his core) you will feel his back lift your seat up. When he engages his hind end, you might feel his pelvis rotate a bit and his front lift up in front of you. You might feel like he is more powerful, and often you will feel how each hind foot pushes off underneath you. Hope that helps!

[@josefineli4604]

Wait.. I’ve always been taught to ride the horse from back to front. That it’s the hind engagement and lifting of the back that naturally makes the horse lower his head and rounding his neck. Ergo why you can seesaw, use tie in’s etc to make the neck bend, but that only creates a false frame as the back remains hollow, and that is damaging for the horse. And what I’m hearing you describe is the other way around, to make him round in the neck so that the back comes up. I’m sure I’m misunderstanding something, would you please clarify/elaborate?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hey there, yes you are correct, we want to ride our horses from back to front. We always want to get the forward response from our leg and a steady rhythm. That's the first part of the training scale. Second level is suppleness, which is about teaching and developing the adjustability and bending in the back. This is where you can use your reins to help develop that turning and then you can develop suppleness and then you get the steady contact and use your suppling fingers to ask for more connection. Hope that helps explain that a little better. Have you seen my free pdf on the training scale? That goes more into how you use that process to correctly develop the horse back to front: amelianewcombdressage.com/plan-your-ride-training-scale-pdf-o/

[@josefineli4604]

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thank you for answering. The more I watch and listen to this video the more I suspect we’re thinking of different things when talking about ”engaging the hind end” For you, in this video and with this horse, you’re talking about how to start working on collection. I e. the horse is already supple and connected, and you’re asking for the next level of hind engagement to start getting that uphill frame and motion. Whereas for me, at my level, ”hind /back leg engagement” means getting the horse to step under and use his muscles in a way that raises his back > lowers his head > finds a frame > gets connected. Interesting how the same type of work and way of thinking applies to all levels of the training scale, just with varying difficulty. Also a great example of the importance of communication and knowing the context (in this case what level of training) a certain instruction or phrasing is coming from, before trying to apply it to your own riding!

[@laureradloff1616]

Can you define "engagement " precisely? Thx:)

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Laure, By engagement we mean that the pelvis is rotating and the horse is pushing off his hind leg. His "motor" is originating from behind instead of using his front end to drag himself along.

[@ns_desu]

About doing too many transitions with my horse.. Transitions are helpful, but if I keep doing them for too long, my horse becomes bored. By the way, the video is very helpful!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Definitely! It's important not to drill one exercises too much

[@ns_desu]

After several months of my work with my horse without my coach... I'm rewatching this video and hear more than I used to! Cause I used to do transitions mindlessly. Now I'm trying to find that very transitions, that allow me to engage my horse!

[@ehlamore]

Doing rein back to trot, does that help engage the hind end?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

As long as the horse is round and being correct off the aids, yes! Going off in trot requires more strength and balance though

[@V4K4R14N]

But..what's the key for getting that frame in the trot and canter?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

adherence to the dressage training scale and developing strength, suppleness, and connection in all gaits

[@juliecastro6272]

Im seriously thinking of quitting riding. Recently broke both wrists when my new ...just out of training horse spooked at the walk. Im 71 and cant afford more broken bones. 2014 was on a neighbors horse that i had only been on once spooked at hault and headed for the barn. Broke my left wrist...3 surgeries. Now uts happened again. I have never fallen at a Lesson with my Instructor. Only at my home riding with my husband. Im thinking when i follow my husbands advice.. i get injured. Do you have any council for me? Julie Castro Brookside Utah

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about this. This can be so frustrating. Do you ever do groundwork with your horses? This would help!

[@roxd8885]

More weight 3/4 in your stirrups, less weight 1/4 in your seat.

[@marysinclair1214]

My 3yr old poops a lot when I'm riding him. He is always pooping, is this a good thing? We are only doing walking/trotting because of his young age.

[@annamariayannetta242]

My mom's name was Amelia too she was my biggest supporter, 💯♥️🐎👍 0:56

[@laurenw1168]

Have you ever met a horse that will not lift their back when you scratch under their belly or use the hoof pick on their bum? I have put a good amount of pressure there and my horse is just sooo resistant to lifting 🤷 the chiro is coming next week so maybe I'll ask him about it.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha! Maybe try a lighter tickly touch? And definitely ask your chiro!

[@migueloviedo7929]

it was an excelent video. Excuse for my english

[@debbiefrench5033]

What does it cost to subscribe?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi there! It doesn't cost anything to subscribe to my youtube channel! :)

[@moweaquas]

I tried the belly scratch on my horse with ZERO response. I even tried digging my nails into his belly as I did it. Nada. I guess I can try the hoof Ick trick next.

[@anneconverse3060]

Why do your lower legs/ankles move constantly? Are you having yo kick your horse each stride?

[@einhyatt]

The way u knew his hind legs were dragging behind when you were actually on the horse😮

[@LeslieKazadi]

His hind end out in Texas😂

[@erikamatsson8867]

👍

[@wetdewlap8741]

Does he look a little standby on the back left leg? Or is it just me?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Let me know if you have a question I can. help with!

[@jamesandange1]

please research natural movement of a horse and learn why over bending him at the poll is what's making him uncomfortable

[@joe-ut9kb]

@James, Bingo

[@gesundworkingdogs4199]

I wish I understood this.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I'm happy to help answer any questions you might have, or point you to another video of mine that might help.

[@BK-is5fj]

What

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Let me know if you have questions I can help with!

[@summerlyman1589]

I suggest not doing this if your horse Bucks

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

yes, always be safe. If you can't stand with your horse like this, please don't!