How to use your leg, and how NOT to use your leg!

In this video I describe how to properly apply your leg when riding Dressage. Using your upper thigh and calf, applying the spur (when needed) and kicking your horse can all be useful tools when training a dressage horse if done correctly!
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[@alejandra936]

Your training level test videos have been extremely helpful. Thank You Amelia. I am a fan.

[@ZingaroXIV]

All good basic techniques, thank you. One additional technique I use to support bend (through turns, on a circle, positioning the horse in a shoulder fore during exercises, etc.,) is to "point" my outside hip/pelvis bone toward the horse's inside ear. Using the inside lower leg to provide the "bend around this" aid, supported by pointing the outside hip toward the inside ear - in the rhythm of the gait - helps to position the shoulder to the inside, bending around the inside leg. Two keys to this: it is a subtle movement and it must be in the rhythm of the gait. From the rider's perspective it's kind of like a hula movement, but small enough to be pretty much invisible to anyone watching. This also enhances the effect of sitting in the direction of travel and is further supported by a supple outside rein. You don't have to do this "hula" all the time. Train the horse with it, then ease off and use it as a reminding aid once the horse understands what you want. Just my two cents!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for sharing this! IT'S A GREAT VISUAL. I will try it out on my students

[@ZingaroXIV]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Glad to share! Your videos are favorites, and I so appreciate your tips, knowledge and experience.

[@bethstaiano387]

My instructor tells me to give my horse " a hug" with my calves. Just love her. xo

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great visual! I will have to use that! Thanks!

[@shirleybroady1844]

Thanks Amelia. Helpful reminders to let go of negative tension.

[@stellachandler4719]

Super helpful video and demonstration. Thanks very much Amelia.

[@lindav3747]

👌🏼 - no other instructor has ever talked about inside thigh and knee as a turning aid. I've used it since learning from you and it was effective.

[@Certifiedhater101]

I’m so thankful for your videos! I’ve realized I’m doing some things wrong and some things that are ineffective for my riding.

[@Sankutenku]

Sometimes you have to wiggle, when you have a horse that's pretty numb for legs. They have been used to the constant pressure, so wiggling while doing a circle will wake them up more and make them more sensitive when the leg keeps changing. Of course the wiggle shouldn't be all the time. But with some horses its a good reminder to collect and use their body.

[@jocelynemeurant6259]

Very interesting ! Thanks 👍🇫🇷

[@falizianme5846]

Gulity... I'm a wiggler. I'm getting better but it's a constant... quiet pretty feet. And I have a weak right hip so I also struggle to keep that leg long! My hamstring just wants to take over! But.. just keep thinking.... long legs! Thanks for the great tips!

[@irenecoermann2439]

I really struggle with pulling my leg up when giving an aid. I know what to do and what not to do but I don't know how to overcome this subconscious move. Any tips are appreciated!

[@falizianme5846]

Hi Irene... I have that problem too. One thing I find that helps me is making sure my horse is forward to my aids to start with. If he's behind my leg then I find my self pulling my leg up to do more work! Happy riding!

[@sonie1045]

Just a side note😆your Petrie boots look amazing😍

[@westernshack]

🙌🙌🙌

[@Pferdecoach]

I never use upper leg for pressing a horse to turn ?!...maybe i let my outside upper leg/ knee look to inside a bit, supporting my turning seat , to sit better on inside seatbone and not getting crocked in my upper body to stay supple with inside leg and hips and kicking is a little movement in your ankle like imaginary biking backwards ....but useful kick has to come in right timing and so when is the best moment of impulsion ?

[@teresabell8803]

What type of saddle is yours

[@HunkabrninSteele]

Good video, but what do those different leg uses tell the horse? Are there standard commands that all dressage horses use? Making riders nterchangable? I've ridden western and am fascinated with dressage.

[@Sankutenku]

They are the same aid in lightest to strongest. You have to add more to the aids if you are doing something specific. And yes, all horses work with same aids, only the amount of pressure/strength of the aid differs. Horses who are in riding school normally are more numb to these so you have to use stronger aids, while private dressage horse works with just by you thinking the move. The aid can tell horse to move more forward, to collect, to frame, to move their body different way, to bend and flex etc.

[@snickercappydo]

All great tips. Just a tip on the video...would of been best to use contrasting colors during your demonstration. Black breeches on black saddle pad not too good. 😉

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Sorry 😢

[@joan9569]

What make & model of saddle do you use? Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Custom Saddlery!!

[@lauriebohanan2761]

Good morning miss Amelia. How are you today. How do not to use your legs with the horse 😊

[@kristinemcclain9028]

Kick I think would be the wrong thing to say. Light bump is more than enough to tell them to move.

[@lej6550]

Story of my life. I am so bad with getting a short leg and drawing my knee up

[@jeniferrinehart1107]

Lacy Jinks me too! I don’t even realize it and all of a sudden I’m all squished up in the lower body! Oy!!

[@Sankutenku]

Ride without saddle or without stirrups.