Help with LEG REINING

Ivy_the_Trainer · 07-20-2006, 04:17 PM

Hey, it's me again.

My question this time is: does anyone have any advice about teaching a horse to leg rein? You know, moving left and right off the legs alone. Any advice would be great.

Ivy

cowgirlmommy · 07-20-2006, 06:24 PM

Sorry dear! Good question and I wish I could help but I am a neck reiner! Good luck with learning and stay safe!

HoosierSuz · 07-20-2006, 07:25 PM

It's not hard. Start on the ground standing next to your tacked horse. Take a whip or crop and tap the horse firmly, not whacking it but strong enough to feel, right behind the stirrup where your calf would be. Tap tap tap tap until the horse moves off. When the horse move away from the tapping, hold the crop against its side, don't remove it - just stop tapping. Stop the horse and start again.

Later, get on. Stand still and tap your leg against the horse's side until it moves off. (Note the horse will not be moving laterally yet - that's more advanced - you have to start with teaching the horse that pressure from your leg means forward motion.)

Once you have established this cue, then walk your horse off the rail and use your inside leg to push it toward the rail of your ring. If the horse only moves forward and not sideways, increase the pressure on the bit so it can't move faster straight ahead.

With time, you'll get it. Keep in mind your horse won't be moving directly to the side right away (unless it is super sensitive). Good luck!

Cash/Honey/Thomas · 07-20-2006, 07:32 PM

I have not a clue how to do what you are asking but I had to tell you I love your question at the end. If you were to die tonight where would you go!!!! That is great!!!! I know I would be in heaven!!!!

Orchid · 07-20-2006, 07:36 PM

I don't believe I've ever heard it described as "leg reining" before.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 07-20-2006, 07:39 PM

My horse is starting to leg rein a little. I wasn't even trying to teach her to it just kind of happened. When I want her to turn I kick gently on her side that I want her to turn towards while applying pressure the bit. She knows what pressure on the bit means and she will turn. The other day I did and expirement and left the reins alone and kicked her a little and she turned! If I want her to keep turning I keep kicking, when she turns and continues in the right direction the kicking stops. A kick with both legs means go on forward while a kick with one or the other means turn in that direction.

I was orginally going to teach her to neck rein but she responds much better to just turning into pressure than away from it. If your horse neck reins it might work it you reversed it. Kick on the side you want him to move away from. Use the reins as a crutch and the horse should catch on that the kicking means something and there must be a way to make you stop. Thats how my horse operates anyway!

When she moves the right way I quit making that annoying clicking sound and stop moving my legs. She must think I'm a nut but oh well.

She's wierd horse anyway, we are the perfect match.

ToveroMom · 07-20-2006, 07:52 PM

Are you referring to sidepassing?

MLovely · 07-20-2006, 08:16 PM

Im not really sure what your talking about either.......do you mean with no bridal?? If so, then you might want to look into one of Stacy Westfall's training videos.

Ivy_the_Trainer · 07-20-2006, 08:30 PM

When I refer to "leg reining" I mean having the horse going forward and asking your horse to turn to the left by laying the right leg against his belly, right behind the cinch. I do not mean sidepass. I read the term in "Breaking and Training the Stock Horse" by Charles O. Williamson. That is a great book! I highly recommend it.

I also want my horse to be working off of his haunches, or hindquarters, when he turns. Yes, I know that this is an advanced manouver, but that is what I teach, advanced stuff.

Ivy

ToveroMom · 07-20-2006, 08:39 PM

Well basic leg yielding I teach in conjunction with the neck reining..at the same time.
They begin to associate it together quite successfully after a bit.
The rein and leg cue given simultaneously.
I cue my horse from behind the girth to perform a sidepass. All the other cues from the normal position-to avoid confusion.
So I honestly have to say I am still confused as to what you are wanting information on.
What do you train your horses for?

gbarmranch · 07-21-2006, 07:40 AM

Isn't this just the same thing as having a very well trained horse who works off your seat and leg

bummbles99 · 07-21-2006, 08:27 AM

[quote="ToveroMom"]Well basic leg yielding I teach in conjunction with the neck reining..at the same time.
They begin to associate it together quite successfully after a bit.
The rein and leg cue given simultaneously.
I cue my horse from behind the girth to perform a sidepass. All the other cues from the normal position-to avoid confusion.

I have to agree with toveromom: You could also teach your hores to neck reign then the "leg cues" (in front of the cinch) these cues, can teach a horse to walk forward, turn left, turn right, back, trot, canter. It's all in your training what cue you give them to learn on. I have a quarter horse then when you squeeze him with you ankles he walks forward, a bump on the left and he goes right, a bump on the right and he turns left, and so on.....

mellowdane · 07-21-2006, 11:08 AM

Well I have to agree with the above posts, start using your legs.. AND YOUR SEAT, when you turn and the rest will just come naturally.

Your legs can move your horse lateral, or hold the barrel or hind end in place, your seat (waist, hips,butt) will make the body turn. If you think about how a really well trained reining horse goes in to a spin it is a combination of legs, slight twisting in the seat and a tiny bit of rein layed on the neck. I am sure it would only be a small step to get rid of the rein all together.

But in order for it to work you need to make sure your horse is moving laterally off your leg and you are giving very specific body language when you do turn. Right turn, right leg on the girth, left slight behind, right hip slightly back with weight, left hip slightly forward with less weight, slight neck reining. Start with the cues slightly exaggerate and then make them more subtle as your horse gets the idea. Hope it helps

07-20-2006, 04:17 PM
Ivy_the_Trainer Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Western, Illinois Posts: 102	Help with LEG REINING Hey, it's me again. My question this time is: does anyone have any advice about teaching a horse to leg rein? You know, moving left and right off the legs alone. Any advice would be great. Ivy __________________ If you were to die tonight... Where would you go? Heaven is real... but so is HELL! Have Saddle - Will Travel @ http://freewebs.com/ivyschex

07-20-2006, 06:24 PM
cowgirlmommy Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia! Posts: 1,469	Sorry dear! Good question and I wish I could help but I am a neck reiner! Good luck with learning and stay safe! __________________ "There is no seceret closer than the one shared between rider and horse." www.rockymountainridingservices.webs.com

07-20-2006, 07:25 PM
HoosierSuz Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 382	It's not hard. Start on the ground standing next to your tacked horse. Take a whip or crop and tap the horse firmly, not whacking it but strong enough to feel, right behind the stirrup where your calf would be. Tap tap tap tap until the horse moves off. When the horse move away from the tapping, hold the crop against its side, don't remove it - just stop tapping. Stop the horse and start again. Later, get on. Stand still and tap your leg against the horse's side until it moves off. (Note the horse will not be moving laterally yet - that's more advanced - you have to start with teaching the horse that pressure from your leg means forward motion.) Once you have established this cue, then walk your horse off the rail and use your inside leg to push it toward the rail of your ring. If the horse only moves forward and not sideways, increase the pressure on the bit so it can't move faster straight ahead. With time, you'll get it. Keep in mind your horse won't be moving directly to the side right away (unless it is super sensitive). Good luck!

07-20-2006, 07:32 PM
Cash/Honey/Thomas Yearling Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 619	I have not a clue how to do what you are asking but I had to tell you I love your question at the end. If you were to die tonight where would you go!!!! That is great!!!! I know I would be in heaven!!!! __________________ What the world needs is JESUS!

07-20-2006, 07:36 PM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,076	I don't believe I've ever heard it described as "leg reining" before. __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing

07-20-2006, 07:39 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,117	My horse is starting to leg rein a little. I wasn't even trying to teach her to it just kind of happened. When I want her to turn I kick gently on her side that I want her to turn towards while applying pressure the bit. She knows what pressure on the bit means and she will turn. The other day I did and expirement and left the reins alone and kicked her a little and she turned! If I want her to keep turning I keep kicking, when she turns and continues in the right direction the kicking stops. A kick with both legs means go on forward while a kick with one or the other means turn in that direction. I was orginally going to teach her to neck rein but she responds much better to just turning into pressure than away from it. If your horse neck reins it might work it you reversed it. Kick on the side you want him to move away from. Use the reins as a crutch and the horse should catch on that the kicking means something and there must be a way to make you stop. Thats how my horse operates anyway! When she moves the right way I quit making that annoying clicking sound and stop moving my legs. She must think I'm a nut but oh well. She's wierd horse anyway, we are the perfect match. __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

07-20-2006, 07:52 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 17,059	Are you referring to sidepassing? __________________

07-20-2006, 08:16 PM
MLovely Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,105	Im not really sure what your talking about either.......do you mean with no bridal?? If so, then you might want to look into one of Stacy Westfall's training videos.

07-20-2006, 08:30 PM
Ivy_the_Trainer Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Western, Illinois Posts: 102	When I refer to "leg reining" I mean having the horse going forward and asking your horse to turn to the left by laying the right leg against his belly, right behind the cinch. I do not mean sidepass. I read the term in "Breaking and Training the Stock Horse" by Charles O. Williamson. That is a great book! I highly recommend it. I also want my horse to be working off of his haunches, or hindquarters, when he turns. Yes, I know that this is an advanced manouver, but that is what I teach, advanced stuff. Ivy __________________ If you were to die tonight... Where would you go? Heaven is real... but so is HELL! Have Saddle - Will Travel @ http://freewebs.com/ivyschex

07-20-2006, 08:39 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 17,059	Well basic leg yielding I teach in conjunction with the neck reining..at the same time. They begin to associate it together quite successfully after a bit. The rein and leg cue given simultaneously. I cue my horse from behind the girth to perform a sidepass. All the other cues from the normal position-to avoid confusion. So I honestly have to say I am still confused as to what you are wanting information on. What do you train your horses for? __________________

07-21-2006, 07:40 AM
gbarmranch Pasture Pet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 32,634	Isn't this just the same thing as having a very well trained horse who works off your seat and leg __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Quality Foundation Quarter Horses If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." Augustine of Hippo

07-21-2006, 08:27 AM
bummbles99 Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 305	[quote="ToveroMom"]Well basic leg yielding I teach in conjunction with the neck reining..at the same time. They begin to associate it together quite successfully after a bit. The rein and leg cue given simultaneously. I cue my horse from behind the girth to perform a sidepass. All the other cues from the normal position-to avoid confusion. I have to agree with toveromom: You could also teach your hores to neck reign then the "leg cues" (in front of the cinch) these cues, can teach a horse to walk forward, turn left, turn right, back, trot, canter. It's all in your training what cue you give them to learn on. I have a quarter horse then when you squeeze him with you ankles he walks forward, a bump on the left and he goes right, a bump on the right and he turns left, and so on.....

07-21-2006, 11:08 AM
mellowdane Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 1,098	Well I have to agree with the above posts, start using your legs.. AND YOUR SEAT, when you turn and the rest will just come naturally. Your legs can move your horse lateral, or hold the barrel or hind end in place, your seat (waist, hips,butt) will make the body turn. If you think about how a really well trained reining horse goes in to a spin it is a combination of legs, slight twisting in the seat and a tiny bit of rein layed on the neck. I am sure it would only be a small step to get rid of the rein all together. But in order for it to work you need to make sure your horse is moving laterally off your leg and you are giving very specific body language when you do turn. Right turn, right leg on the girth, left slight behind, right hip slightly back with weight, left hip slightly forward with less weight, slight neck reining. Start with the cues slightly exaggerate and then make them more subtle as your horse gets the idea. Hope it helps __________________ Has is occurred to you that there's a certain inefficiency in questioning me on things you've already made up your mind about? - Spock