Dressage-Arena-2

Movement: Change of Rein

Purpose: to teach the horse and rider straightness across the diagonal and the change of bend when reaching the opposite track.

Across the long diagonal

K to X to M……..will put you on the left rein
H to X to F……..will put you on the right rein
M to X to K …….will put you on the left rein
F to X to H………will put you on the right rein

K to B ……..will put you on the left rein
H to B …….will put you on the right rein

F to E ……..will put you on the left rein
M to E ……will put you on the right rein

Gaits
Easiest.. at the walk
Medium difficulty... at the trot
Most difficult... at the canter

Biomechanics

The horse tracks in 2 tracks: the back hooves falling in the same line of the corresponding front hoof.
The horses poll, neck, withers, and tail are in a straight line across the diagonal.
Upon reaching the track the horse is slightly bent to the new direction of travel.

Practical application of Dressage-arena-2

Reminder

Sit evenly on your tripod.

Keep your eyes traveling on the line you are visualizing.

Aim for the track 2 feet before the letter so that your body is perpendicular to the track when it passes the letter.

Visualization

From bit to elbow you are guiding ( or funneling) the horse's nose to the letter, that is centered between his ears.
With your legs from hip to heal you are guiding (or funneling the horse's croup to the letter.

Woops :) You find yourself with no room left upon reaching the track to turn through the corner.

You look back on the tracks you have made in the sand at it looks like a set of waves instead of a straight line.

You forget to change your posting diagonal between x and the target letter.

You start pulling on your new inside rein instead of using your turning seat and leg aids. BR>

You are not looking at your furthest marker when coming out of the corner and overshoot your straight line.

Remember Horse-riding-tips... #3
We want to be a rider that...
..Is balanced
..Has feel
..Is supple
..Stays with horse ( pliancy)
..Does not move involuntarily (fixity)