biomechanics-simplified

Turning Biomechanics – the term even sounds complicated. But, when you break it down into its individual segments, it makes much more sense.

Fig.1 on the left – Turn on the Haunches Right.
Your horse front legs walking around his hind legs.
1.- Stop with your horse’s weight on the Right Inside Hind Leg (shoulder fore).
Your horse is already looking to the Right.
2.- Keep your hands and reins over the horse’s shoulders (inside right rein slightly shorten)
3. -Push the horse’s outside Left SHOULDER (not the horse’s neck) over his Right SHOULDER with your outside Left rein, while encouraging his outside Left Hind to move into the turn around his Right hind leg the pivot leg.
Always finish the turn by riding forward!

Fig.2 on the right – Turn on the Forehand Right.
Your horse hind legs walking around his front legs.
1.- Stop your horse with slightly bend to the left (horse’s weight on the Inside Left front leg the pivot leg).
2.- Take the slack out of the reins. Keep your hands and reins over the horse’s shoulders (inside left rein slightly shorten).
3. – Maintain a hold on both horse’s shoulders.
4. – Connect with your horse’s inside Left Hind Leg through his Left Hip, by bending your inside Left knee and twisting your pelvis & hip to the direction of the turn (right).
5. – Inside Left hind Leg advanced in front of the outside Right hind leg.
Always finish the turn by riding forward!