If the title of this post makes no sense, read on, it will be made clear. Lynsey Rowan had a lesson on my horse Biasini . Belinda quite often said to her: “Leg…not right left.” I knew the “right left” as it is one of my favorite things to do to supple the horse and lighten the contact. But I also know that in my lessons Belinda was always telling me not to use that method. The ‘right left’ involves using the fingers of both hands to flex the horse to the left and to the right. So in a break I asked Belinda what she meant by “leg”. She told me that the lower leg should be used to bend the horse and this will produce the correct flexion and lighten the contact with the horse’s mouth. The lesson began with canter work.
Belinda had Lynsey work on canter half pass and then the canter half pass zig zag. In the video you will hear Belinda give Lynsey reminders about getting Biasini light and over his back and bending in the corners. You know, all those dressage details!
Then they went on to trot work and half pass and half pass zig zag in trot. Here is a video of the trot half pass and the zig zag.
Even though I was not riding I found this a valuable lesson. Leg first not ‘right left’. That is a lesson I must remember when I get back to riding. And I had good news on that front this week. The orthopedic surgeon told me that I can start to ride whenever I feel ready. First I have to walk without the walker, then walk with a cane, then nothing. And then if I feel confident enough I can start back riding!!
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