How to Turn your Horse?!

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How to Turn your horse
Turning a horse is MUCH harder than turning a car! Here are some tips to help you turn correctly…
What are aids for turning?
Simply put, the outside rein and leg are the turning aids.
The outside rein stays on the outside of the horses’ neck and supports turning the horses’ outside shoulder with a steady contact.
The outside leg pushes the horse around the turn. The outside leg should be slightly behind the girth in "guarding position" to keep the hind end from falling out. The rider's upper outer leg can be pressed into the saddle to help get the horse to turn.
The inside rein can be used as an opening rein aid - the inside rein can come away from the horses’ neck slightly to “lead” the horse around the turn.
If you are having trouble turning…
Practice 90 degree turns and riding a square. Sometimes when you are riding a circle, you are constantly turning and the horse is constantly drifting out. Riding a square can be helpful to get your horse to turn and then be sure to release the turning aids.
Do NOT ….
Be sure NOT to use an indirect rein aid.
Indirect rein aids will cause your horse to counter-bend and throws them off balance and onto the inside front leg. The outside rein can be near to the withers on the outside but the outside rein must NOT go across the neck.
No neck reining in Dressage! The left hand stays on the left, and the right hand stays on the right.
Do NOT lean in your turns! You are not riding a bicycle!
Many riders make the mistake of leaning in the turns. Leaning in the turn unbalances your horse and puts them onto the forehand. Imagine that a string is pulling your head up to the sky. When the horse turns, you stay straight above your horse!
Hope these tips are helpful!
Happy Riding!
Amelia

[@MrsC48]

I only walk my mare because of health issues. I practiced riding squares using only my legs just for something different to do. She got really good at this and can weave through cones with me using just my legs. Sometimes I just "think" turn left or right and she does it. It's amazing what you can do when everything is slowed down. :-)

[@sophiaequestrian7962]

Thank you Amelia! You gave alot more details to help with turns, I appreciated that!

[@aviakallage7381]

Thank you for simple and straightforward explanations.

[@alanelublow8]

This is so helpful! I didn't know about the outside leg position change. I'm going to practice turns with riding straight between the turns Excited to add these two things to my next ride!

[@juliafoley6499]

Your narrative of the steps, as always, are remarkably clear. Gives me terrific guidelines of my accountability in the saddle and the outcomes i should see from my horses. Thank you!

[@azureequus8045]

Thank you I just started riding last week, and I had my first lesson on Saturday and this has helped me a lot I struggled a bit with steering but your videos has given me some ideas to try for next time I got a bit confused with outside rein and inside rein in my lesson but your video has helped me understand that better too :)

[@kathyreese7031]

Thank you for providing examples of what to correct! I have some work to do!

[@epona9166]

Great topic!! But I'm left with pretty much the same questions I've always had. Bc you start out saying the outside aids are your turning aids -- which I've heard many times over the years but never really understood -- but then when demonstrating you open the inside rein. Obviously to a casual rider like myself, opening the inside rein seems more fundamental to turning than maintaining pressure on the outside with your outside rein and leg. Especially since I frequently move my horse laterally/diagonally (at the walk or trot) by keeping the reins "straight" and applying pressure w my leg behind the front cinch. So in my mind, and thus in my horse's mind, leg pressure isn't a signal to turn; it's a signal to move over.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great question! It has a lot to do with turning from your seat and legs - check out this video to help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omLYpmWGatGbr8k

[@epona9166]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressageThank you Amelia!!

[@Threerxndxms]

Thank you! I've been having trouble with this, and this helped me a lot! :)

[@keithshelby6914]

I really like the videos its like listening to a friend you've known all your life

[@simons1543]

Thank you Amelia... your videos have been really helpful. Now I just need to watch them all over again with greater insight - based on what I've learnt in lessons so far... I have a feeling I will be returning to them often!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@frokenss]

This makes som much sense. Thanks for explaining it so well. It works wonders!!

[@christinafragis7224]

As always great tips Amelia, thank you so much!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!!

[@shamma7897]

youre my best teacher, thank you so much, ive been watching your vidoes since i first strated riding 4 months ago and youre the best you helped me a lot i appreciate you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay! I’m doing a webinar on Rider Position. Click here to save your seat: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/rider-position-webinar-june-2022

[@jocelynemeurant6259]

Thanks Amélia !! I will do these exercices this afternoon. It’s now 3pm in France 🇫🇷 Have a nice day in California 🤩

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Ok!! Hi in France!!

[@ingridedisen7802]

good job, good explanation!

[@poorvatambe6218]

I am a rookie at this sport. The videos really help me understand the technique and niceties of the aids. I believe the correct technique "tells" and does not "torture" the animal . Thanks Amelia!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Poorva! Everyone's a rookie for a while but that's the path of learning! You're absolutely right, you're talking to your horse with the aids.

[@spiridoulaathanasopoulou9244]

Perfect teacher

[@MikaKotikoski]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are welcome Mika By the way, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar

[@lindav3747]

I can't wait !!

[@ruthobrien4261]

Thanks Amelia, very helpful

[@taylorducherer8785]

Thank you so much! You've helped me progress with my riding so much! How do you use your legs while posting? I have trouble keeping it on my horse's side and using it while posting. It just bounces around.

[@horsebitchbarnwitch1076]

Amazing instructions . Clear and we'll thought out. It's easier when you are voicing your explanation because your leg and hand movements are so subtle, it's hard for the green rider's eye to see it. I'll ask my instructor to show me...the instructions are similar. Thank you for reminding me to stay straight up and not lean...and to do squares...I will do that instead. I will not cross over the fence either haha. I've been doing a lot of ground work bc there is so much to do on a horse, it's hard to think of what I'm supposed to do , and I'm so repetitive . .. I'm afraid I'm boring my horse to death and since I'm not being clear, he's like ??? Thank you for helping me with this

[@infinity401]

Thanks for clear instructions

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful! Please consider subscribing for more!

[@anna-karinwiklund3216]

Thank you, very good!!

[@denisedagnone4115]

Thank you easy to understand 💗🇦🇺

[@dawnmcmenamin6192]

Thank you

[@mariannekelstrup7633]

This was so helpful. I have been having trouble lately turning my horse to the left. Shoulder goes out and hind quarters go out too. I know it's because I guarding my right arm because of an old shoulder injury. But I also know that I'm guilty of riding with my outside leg forward. Definitely also guilty of dropping my inside hand when I'm not consciously thinking about it. Can't wait to see my boy tommorrow and ride some squares. Thank you for sharing.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad this helped! Let me know how it goes with your boy!

[@mariannekelstrup7633]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage It has already improved some. He is a very easy, sensible horse and loves to please, so if I do it right, he will too and if I do it wrong, he lets me know. As long as keep this in mind, we should be good.

[@troy7980]

the horse i ride once a week recently dosnt want to turn like it used to be. i will keep this vid in mind when riding next week thank you ;)

[@ChelbySe]

Thank you! :)

[@lisaburnett6547]

So helpful thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@Louisa.the_equestrian]

Thank you very much that‘ll help me! Especially because I have a competition( my first) on Friday and kind of have to get my riding skills better😅

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good luck!!

[@jessicapang7000]

Just to add on..I'm from Malaysia where horseriding is not a common sport. Horses are rare in this part of the world. I don't own a horse hence unable to ride as often as i like to. Am now taking once-a-week lessons with approximately 45 mins each session. Been to 7 classes thus far. Hope I can continue to learn from Amelia from her online classes.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great! Glad you're here!

[@dthomas4501]

Thank you so much for this video. Been riding for years but suddenly having problem turning to the left while riding into the corners. He gets disobedient and I find my right hand coming away from his neck and doing some kind of royal wave. Definitely it's my fault and not the horse. And we don't even think about what happens when I ask for a canter! Who knew the silly OTTB could move sideways that fast! I will practice this,

[@shannenkroon9794]

What do you mean by closing your rein? Do you mean pulling? Positioning your hand closer to their neck? I’m a beginner and always hear ‘close _’ but am unsure what it means. Thank you :)

[@helenakove2]

Same

[@mirandy1014]

Same

[@sabinelloyd8532]

I really struggle with short diagonals in a 20x40m arena. Will work with this later today. All the lower level tests here in the Netherlands are ridden in the small arena. Challenging with a big horse.

[@Natalie-qq6pj]

I love your videos and rinding I was wondering If you have any tips for just collecting my former polo horse she just wants to run and gallop so her head is always up ans she is kinda messy so when I try to collect her or get her on the bit she just stops I dont know what to do because she just likes to gallop and keep it like that.

[@MuhammadIsmailZamZamButt-js4uz]

Cool 🎉

[@noellechilders2077]

Hi! So I recently started taking dressage lessons (I've always done h/j so it's new to me but I know the basics), and my trainer said that in dressage you never use your outside aids to turn. But I was perplexed by this as I have always been taught that using your outside aids is a more advanced turning method. What is your take on this instruction by my dressage trainer?

[@infinity401]

Could you possible comment on which leg muscles you use when you close your leg, is it the whole leg from the thigh down? Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Don’t forget you FREE 2 day trial to Amelia’s Dressage Academy! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/monthlyworkshops/

[@amandaamazone8878]

Hi Amelia! Are you planning to use PayPal as paying method? Lotus of love Amanda

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Visit the page. You can use a credit card

[@joannesimpson1490]

I was taught as a child to turn to the left by pulling back a little with the left rein and turn to the right by pulling back a little with the right rein. I was never taught to use my outside aids, or either of my legs to turn. 20 odd years on I now find it hard to remember to use my outside leg to turn, rather than my inside rein.

[@dianesamp9102]

SAME HERE!!!

[@jessicapang7000]

Always love watching Amelia's riding tips. She's the best. Very good advice on the technics that seem so seamless and easy. I am a beginner and is now attempting to perfect the trot. Somehow I always struggle with my leg position. When I get the up-down trot right, my legs tend to move upfront (versus under) after awhie and when I correct my bottom part, my posturing diagonal goes away. I was looking to sign up for Amelia's online class, kindly advise how do I subscribe? Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hey Jessica! So glad you're enjoying the content! 'Strides with Amelia' is closed until the new year- but please consider joining a workshop and/or putting your name down on the interested list for Strides when it re-opens.www.amelianewcombdressage.com/strides

[@puppykat1000]

Do you do anything with the inside leg? Great video. Thx.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Inside leg keeps the horse from falling in and creates the bend

[@k.clarke6976]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I was curious about this as well. Do you actually apply the inside leg at all, or simply keep it in the same position?

[@veroniquemaradan2082]

Hi my teacher always says me to turn with more incurvation. The inside rein shows the way to the horse ans is supported with the inside leg. The outside rein controls that the horse doesn't fall in the inside.

[@paulg6852]

Great Video, could I ask then if you had a horse that tends to fall in on the turn, do you use your inside leg then as well as these aids to turn?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

The inside leg should always be maintaining the connection to the outside rein, so if the horse is falling in, it may be that the rider is pulling with the inside rein instead of turning the shoulders.

[@paulg6852]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thanks for the reply🙌 that makes sense

[@courtneystamaria3575]

What exactly do you mean by close your outside rein? When you say close your outside leg I can imagine you mean add pressure but not sure about rein. Thanks!

[@pameladandley938]

What about when he ignores the aids and plows thru you. What do you do?

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

I have been taught that, for example, you turn left by using your left leg to push the horse up into the right aids. Right rein can come back slightly for support and to contain the shoulders, but I haven't heard anything like the right leg adds pressure. Is this not correct?

[@JTheEquestrian]

Hi! I have a lease pony who follows the nearest horse or people. She won’t listen when when I turn her when others are around she’ll turn half way, and then pull back. When we get up to the gate, and I try to turn her, she’ll turn her head, but the rest of her body doesn’t follow along. It’s really annoying for me when I just can’t get her to move. I know how to steer and she never used to be like this.

[@infinity401]

Did you find any solution to this? Curious as Im a befinner rider and I experience this as well with some horses.

[@JTheEquestrian]

Hi @Infinity, well sort of, but I’m still working on it. 1. You have to be really focused on where you want to go and looking the way you want to go. 2. You have to use your body to steer the horse in the way you want as well as keeping your outside leg on the horse’s belly and outside rein on the horses neck around the turn(but you don’t want to pull the outside rein over the horse neck) just keep it steady but not tight against the neck. 3. You have to catch your horse before they start to go in that direction. You can also use a whip or crop to tap the outside shoulder to push them where you want to go. Hope this isn’t too confusing but you can also find information online.

[@infinity401]

@@JTheEquestrian Thank you so much for a reply. Will work on this.

[@JTheEquestrian]

@@infinity401 happy to help

[@V4K4R14N]

I've been told you need to "open the door" with your leg as well. Is that incorrect or something you specifically just don't want to be doing in dressage?

[@STAR4369]

What would you do with a horse that grabs the bit at the canter and will not turn? He likes to bulge outside and drag you along the rail. he only does this at the canter. It is definitely a bad habit. I have tried hard outside aids and counter-bending to try to prevent him from bulging. If you can stop it from starting, you are good. But once he does it, I haven't found a way to correct it.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Make sure he turns really well to a light aid at the trot. Then at the canter insist that he turns and the second he does you release. It's all about pressure and release!

[@STAR4369]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thank you! I will try this

[@katieheller3788]

My horse knows more dressage than I do, she turns with inside leg. Like pressing your thumb into a ball of play dough. Is that incorrect?

[@dawnjennings3709]

Amelia can clarify, but I believe the inside leg is for Bending (as in circles), and the outside leg is for the 90 degree turns as she is showing very clearly here.

[@RusioUC]

When you turn rigtht, what happen with your shoulders?

[@jennageuder1268]

So to turn left, "squeeze" with right thigh,?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That's right Jenna, he'll move off the pressure from your thigh and go the opposite way. Also, I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale, you will find it really helpful with your dressage journey! You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! But if you can't make it, sign up anyway as we can send you the recording! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar

[@dirkkuerschnerpeasantfield8913]

I think I understand what you're teaching. But I really wish someone would show how you get a green horse to learn without direct rein to be soft and easy in the turns. I can do it on trained horses! But no one in the dressage world seems to show more greeness! Just would like to see a green horse learning, my green horses are all over the place, they don't yet respect the leg, they certainly don't understand outside rein. I've gotten them their through western training, but I don't understand it for this. I do appreciate your videos as you open up this world more than most people, and I think it used to be an old practical art to make horses reliable on the battlefield, etc... I think the western world could learn some things, it's just a little vague. Thanks!

[@em-jp4xt]

I’m always told inside leg to outside rein on a circle. Is this incorrect?!

[@Vale-nh6ey]

That’s to keep him doing a nice even circle! The outside rein keeps him from opening the circle, the leg from closing it

[@Vale-nh6ey]

In this case it’s for turning, not for a circle, so you want to push even more

[@em-jp4xt]

@@Vale-nh6ey Yes you’re totally right. I had brain fog for a moment!

[@Vale-nh6ey]

@@em-jp4xt that’s okay! It can be pretty confusing at times lol

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Thank you!!

[@naunettemartin7450]

I'm doing so good win I'm ride ing my horse and I'm working on the train my and we are turning my horse and I'm doing sue ing my hands and leg win want my horse to turn and we are doing good on turning and I'm use my leg and I'm not use my hands thank you Nannette

[@hamidfarokhrad5735]

I whish to see your hands while turning!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

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

[@maggy1338]

In this video you clearly have this horse bent in the direction you are going and turning. I view this unmentioned part as standard operating procedure especially when you open the inside rein while

[@spyinsecret0075]

I don't really understand what it means to "close your leg" Does it mean squeezing your leg to the girth?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes. Apply some pressure with your calf. I am giving a free seminar on contact and connection on Sunday, Sept 4. You can sign up at www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-webinar-contact-and-connection

[@maggy1338]

...turning to the inside on squares or circles to open the door for the turn drawing the horses attention to turning away from the outside rein. Just saying. Apology for unfinished previous comment - accidentally hit send too soon

[@animallover4101]

Stay in segregated pasture or stay in your lane 😆