For Christmas this year we are having some old family movies put onto DVDs as gifts to family members. We're talking old movies. Not video tapes but the old reel to reel types. What a hoot! There I was, seven years old running the clover leaf barrel race on "Little Lady." My legs were so short they didn't even come halfway down the horse's side. I must have weighed all of forty pounds, but I was kicking for all I was worth as I turned the last barrel and galloped for home. At least six inches of daylight could be seen between my legs and the horse as I repeatedly lifted my legs into a spread eagle and slapped my legs and heels into the horse with every stride. Flapping around on top of that big horse, I was the picture of sheer determination, guts and balance. And the perfect picture of how NOT to use your leg aids:).
It was funny and embarrassing to watch. Once again I marveled at how much our horses will put up with, and how they will try to comply with our wishes, even when we are asking them in ways that are not always clear or comfortable for them. This same picture can still be seen playing today at local horse shows across the country. It isn't funny to watch when it is done by a bigger, stronger person, especially when spurs are added to the picture.
So how do you go about correctly using your leg aids to most effectively communicate with your horse? By now I hope you understand that no one aid ever works independently of all the other aids. The leg and seat together make the horse go forward, and the leg, seat and hands make the horse turn and stop. Yes, proper use of your legs can help you stop and slow down better too.
Let's start with going forward. The legs should remain in their proper position, which is in a straight line from hip to heel regardless of whether you are riding English or Western. The horse should respond to a squeeze from your calf as your seat lifts slightly and you hands allow his head and neck to stretch forward. If the horse does not respond to these aids, you can try to squeeze harder, and maybe use a bumping type of motion with your lower leg. Do not lift your heel and try to actually kick the horse. This will result in poor balance and a very ineffective seat. Also be sure you are not bouncing on your horse's back as you bump him with your legs and check that your hands remain still and just a little forward. If this still does not get the horse moving forward then you have a training issue.
