Randi Thompson. The timing of the rider's aids at the walk. The Steps to...

"The timing of the riders aids at the walk. Is your horse hearing what you want them to do?"

In this blast from the past, I asked Trudy to become aware of when Melody was listening to her aids. These are the steps that she is using. 1) First Trudy needs to be aware of when Melody's hind foot is off the ground. 2) Melody needs to soften her jaw. 3) Melody will flex her neck (so the muscle falls to the outside) 4) Trudy aids her inside calf muscle to see if Melody is responding to her leg by shifting her weight to the outside. 5) Next, we add the outside rein and leg to soften Melody's poll. Sounds easy right? Watch to see how what we are doing makes a difference in how Melody is responding to Trudy's aids. What I found interesting is that by asking Trudy to say words as she is riding that it is easier for her to time when she is using her aids.

Can you see how the timing of the aids depends on where the horse's hind foot is? (on the side you are using the aids on...) Try this on your horse (or student) and let us know how timing your aids makes a difference for what you are doing with your horse at the walk.