What is lateral work?
Lateral work is where the horse is ridden sideways. This article is a simple introduction to the basic lateral movements.
The pre-requisite to riding lateral work is to ride a straight line and a circle. This requires understanding of flexion, bend, and straightness.
It is important to remember that your inside rein and leg are on the inside of the bend of the horse. Thus the horse is bent around your inside leg. Your outside rein and leg are on the outside of the bend of the horse.
Group 1: the horse is bent away from the direction he is going in.
- Shoulder-in
- Leg Yield
- Turn around the Forehand
Group 2: the horse is bent the way he is going, his ears pointing in the direction of travel.
- Half-pass
- Haunches-in (Travers)
- Pirouette
So why ride lateral work?
Lateral work is like ‘ridden physiotherapy’, both for the horse and the rider. The horse becomes your dance partner, weaving movements together – in harmony.
Benefits for the rider:
Increased awareness of body position, co-ordination of seat, leg and rein aids, accuracy when riding movements.
Benefits for the horse:
Improved suppleness through the whole body, flexibility and ride ability. By that I mean a greater understanding of the nuances of the rider’s aids.
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