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Ekidemy

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The Galops®, from the first step to Galop 7

Galop 5In the saddle

Contents
  1. 01WelcomeOverview
  2. 02How the horse learnsKnowledge
  3. 03Pied, spotted, additionsKnowledge
  4. 04The skeletonKnowledge
  5. 05The musclesKnowledge
  6. 06DigestionKnowledge
  7. 07SIRE, microchip and registersKnowledge
  8. 08Presenting in handOn foot
  9. 09Lunging and long-reiningOn foot
  10. 10Loading and stable bandagesOn foot
  11. 11The riding basicsIn the saddle
  12. 12TransitionsKnowledge
  13. 13The leg-yieldIn the saddle
  14. 14The dressage partIn the saddle
  15. 15Snaffle bitsKnowledge
  16. 16The jumping partIn the saddle
  17. 17The cross-country partIn the saddle
  18. 18RevisionRevision

The leg-yield

The first exercise on two tracks, the leg-yield teaches the horse to move away from a single leg, and the rider to use each aid independently. In Galop 5, you define it, you know how it is judged and you ride it at the walk, in both directions.

In the exam programme

  • Define the leg-yield and how it is judged.Specific part
  • Ride a leg-yield at the walk in both directions.Dressage
The leg-yield
A sideways movement: the horse travels on a diagonal, yielding to the pressure of a single leg. It stays straight, with no bend and only a slight flexion away from the direction of travel, and its legs cross.
Two tracks
The forelegs and the hind legs follow two separate tracks, instead of a single one as on a straight line.
Leg-yield off the left leg
The left leg acts: the horse moves away from it, to the right, with slight flexion to the left. The reverse for a leg-yield off the right leg.

From the quarter line to the track

On the quarter line, 5 m in from the long side, then to the right as far as the track, the body parallel to the long side.

The left legs cross in front

The left leg acts: the horse moves away from it, forwards and to the right.

  1. The rider’s left leg, a little behind the girth
  2. The shoulders very slightly ahead of the quarters
  3. A slight flexion to the left: the eye just shows
  4. The left fore crosses in front of the right fore
  5. The left hind crosses in front of the right hind
Fig. 5.14Leg-yield off the left leg, from the quarter line to the track

How it is judged

  • A straight horse: parallel to the long side, the shoulders very slightly ahead of the quarters — the quarters never lead.
  • A slight flexion, away from the direction of travel: you can just see the horse’s eye; the neck is not bent.
  • Legs that cross evenly, those on the side of the active leg passing in front of the others.
  • The gait kept: the walk stays regular and active, without slowing or jogging.
  • An accurate line: starting and finishing at the planned points, moving over evenly from start to finish.
  • A quiet rider: barely visible aids, an upright upper body, a soft contact.

The aids at the walk, for a leg-yield off the left leg

  • The left leg, a little behind the girth, acts in intermittent pressures, in rhythm with the walk: it is the one that pushes the horse to the right.
  • The right leg, at the girth, keeps the horse going forward and receives the sideways movement.
  • The left rein asks for the slight flexion and keeps it, without pulling.
  • The right rein guides the forehand the way you are going, stops the neck bending too much and keeps the shoulders slightly ahead.
  • Your upper body stays upright, shoulders facing the way you are going, eyes on the point you are heading for. Don’t lean towards the acting leg.
  1. From the quarter line to the trackTurn onto the quarter line, 5 m in from the long side, straighten the horse for a few strides, then ask for the leg-yield towards the track: the wall draws the horse and helps it move over.
  2. From the centre line to the trackThe sideways movement is twice as long: you have to keep the same regularity for ten metres or so.
  3. From the track inwardsHarder, because the horse is leaving the wall: keep your shoulders and your eyes well ahead.
  4. Both waysWork as much to the left as to the right. Most horses yield more willingly one way: it’s the other way that needs the work.

Common mistake

The horse leads with its quarters when its hindquarters get ahead of its shoulders; it breaks at the neck when you pull on the flexion rein; it runs out of steam when you ask for more sideways than forward. In all three cases: less sideways, more forward, and ask again.

A word from the instructor

A horse that leads with its quarters does reach the other side — bottom first. It is one way to cross the arena. It is not a leg-yield.

Ekidemy is independent teaching material that follows the official programme of the French Equestrian Federation’s Galops®.Galop® is a registered trademark of the FFE.

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