🐎 Mastering the Leg Yield: Step-by-Step Tips from The Rider Guider Audio Guides
When it comes to introducing your horse to lateral work, leg yield is the ideal place to start. It’s not only one of the foundational lateral movements in dressage, but also a fantastic tool to improve responsiveness, balance, and suppleness in both horse and rider.
In our Leg Yield audio session, available now in the Audio Guides section of The Rider Guider App, we take you through the movement in real-time with clear prompts and rider-friendly coaching. But before you saddle up, here’s everything you need to know to ride the leg yield like a pro—and some common pitfalls to avoid.
🌟 What Is Leg Yield?
Leg yield asks the horse to move forwards and sideways at the same time while maintaining a straight body and a slight flexion away from the direction of travel.
Picture this:
- The horse’s inside legs step across and in front of the outside legs.
- The body stays mostly straight—no bending through the neck or curling around your leg.
- The head is gently flexed at the poll so you can just see the corner of the horse’s inside eye.
It’s typically introduced in walk, then later developed in trot, and at advanced levels, even in canter.
🧭 Where Do I Start?
In our audio guide, we begin with a simple and structured pattern:
Leg yield from the centre line to the track—first to the left, then to the right.
Start at marker A, ride up the centre line, and leg yield toward the long side. Here’s how:
✅ Aids for Leg Yield to the Left:
- Inside leg (right leg): Gently behind the girth to push the horse’s quarters over.
- Outside leg (left leg): At the girth to keep the forward movement and prevent the quarters from leading.
- Inside rein: Slightly ask for poll flexion to the right.
- Outside rein: Controls the outside shoulder and keeps the body straight.
🧠 Rider Tips to Nail the Movement
Here are some of our top tips from the guide to help you perfect your leg yield:
🎯 Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
Start by asking for just a few correct steps. One or two well-executed strides are more beneficial than drifting across the arena in a wonky, unbalanced way.
📸 Record Your Ride
Set up a camera at the end of the arena to review your straightness, leg crossing, and symmetry.
🎧 Use the Rhythm
Leg yield is all about timing. Tune into your horse’s inside hind leg—the one doing the crossing. You’ll get the best response by applying your inside leg as that hind leg leaves the ground.
🧍♀️ Your Position Matters
Avoid leaning or collapsing your torso. Keep your shoulders square with your horse’s, and balance your weight evenly—especially through your inside seat bone.
🐴 Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Even experienced riders can run into trouble. Here’s what to watch for:
- Too much neck bend → Use less inside rein. Remember: flexion at the poll, not the neck.
- Hips leading or falling behind → Keep your legs softly supportive, not gripping.
- Quarters leading → Reinforce with your outside rein and leg to keep straightness.
- Loss of rhythm → Apply half halts and maintain forward intent with your outside leg.
If things go a little pear-shaped, ride a 10-metre circle to reset your horse’s balance before trying again.
💪 Why Practice Leg Yield?
Leg yield isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about:
- Teaching your horse to move off the leg
- Improving lateral suppleness
- Encouraging correct engagement of the inside hind
- Introducing the all-important concept of inside leg to outside rein
It’s also a brilliant warm-up exercise to loosen your horse’s body and activate their core.
🎧 Ride With Us
If you’re ready to ride it step-by-step with support in your ear, our Leg Yield Audio Guide in The Rider Guider App is the perfect session to practice. You’ll get real-time prompts, timing tips, and reminders on positioning—just like having a coach with you in the saddle.
📲 Download The Rider Guider App from the App Store or Google Play today, and try a free session!
Let us help you ride with purpose, not just in circles.
💬 Have a Question or a Tip?
Have you tried leg yield with your horse? What’s worked well—or what are you struggling with? Drop us a message on socials or tag us in your training videos. We love seeing your progress and celebrating your wins!