Turn on the forehand
Encyclopedia
Turn on the forehand is a lateral movement
in equestrian schooling that involves moving the horse's hindquarters around his front legs. Although a basic movement, it is an important training tool for both horse and rider.
and sequence should be maintained throughout. During the turn, the horse's forehand should be prevented from moving forwards, sideways or backwards. When first beginning to tech this movement, the horse bends in the direction away from the movement of the hindquarters (so he bends to the left if the hindquarters are being pushed to the right). When he advances, he may be asked to have a very slight flexion
in the direction of movement.
If the horse understands the leg-yield
, a review of that movement can be helpful in reminding him to move away from leg pressure, before he begins the turn on the forehand.
In an indoor school, the rider should choose a suitable place to execute the turn that is clear obstructions and not too close to a wall, as this will influence will hinder the horse as he makes the turn.
, creating energy is with the legs and containing the energy with the hands. When asking for the turn on the forehand, the inside and outside aids
switch in relation to the new direction of the bend.
If bending the horse in the direction of movement, the rider switches his weight to the inside (direction of the turn) seatbone and, may ask for slight flexion toward the direction of travel with his inside rein
. The outside rein prevents any forward movement and helps maintain proper bend. The rider's inside leg comes back slightly behind the girth
to encourage the horse's hind leg to cross over. The rider's outside leg should be on the girth, receiving and regulating each step. When the turn is complete, the horse should be ridden forward with impulsion
. It is important for the rider to sit tall, with his balanced centered in the saddle.
The aids should be relaxed slightly after each step, before asking for another, to reward the horse.
s may be introduced, such as the half-pass
. It also provides a good way of releasing stiffness and tension from the muscle
s.
For the rider, this exercise improves both coordination and application of the aids. It has practical use for helping the rider to open gates when trail riding
or otherwise riding across rural lands.
Lateral movement
Lateral movements or lateral flexions within equestrianism, have a specific meaning, used to refer to movements made by a horse where the animal is moving in a direction other than straight forward...
in equestrian schooling that involves moving the horse's hindquarters around his front legs. Although a basic movement, it is an important training tool for both horse and rider.
Movement made by the horse
It involves the horse's inside fore marking time on the spot. The outside foreleg moves forward very slightly and the hind legs move in a semicircle around the inside foreleg. A clear walk rhythmRhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
and sequence should be maintained throughout. During the turn, the horse's forehand should be prevented from moving forwards, sideways or backwards. When first beginning to tech this movement, the horse bends in the direction away from the movement of the hindquarters (so he bends to the left if the hindquarters are being pushed to the right). When he advances, he may be asked to have a very slight flexion
Flexion
In anatomy, flexion is a position that is made possible by the joint angle decreasing. The skeletal and muscular systems work together to move the joint into a "flexed" position. For example the elbow is flexed when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder...
in the direction of movement.
Prerequisites
Turn on the forehand can only be of good quality if the horse is on the bit while maintaining clear walk steps in the 'lead up' to the halt that precedes the turn. In the halt he must be attentive, as if anticipating the rider's next commands. The only exception to this rule is for corrective purposes or if the horse is ready for collection.If the horse understands the leg-yield
Leg-yield
The leg-yield is a lateral movement performed on a horse, in which the horse travels both sideways and forward at the same time. The horse is fairly straight through his body in the leg-yield, although he may have a slight bend to the outside...
, a review of that movement can be helpful in reminding him to move away from leg pressure, before he begins the turn on the forehand.
In an indoor school, the rider should choose a suitable place to execute the turn that is clear obstructions and not too close to a wall, as this will influence will hinder the horse as he makes the turn.
How to perform the turn on the forehand
To ride a turn on the forehand, the rider should encourage a square halt by moving the horse leg-to-hand with proper riding aidsRiding aids
Riding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do. Riding aids are broken into the natural aids and the artificial aids.-Natural aids:...
, creating energy is with the legs and containing the energy with the hands. When asking for the turn on the forehand, the inside and outside aids
Riding aids
Riding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do. Riding aids are broken into the natural aids and the artificial aids.-Natural aids:...
switch in relation to the new direction of the bend.
If bending the horse in the direction of movement, the rider switches his weight to the inside (direction of the turn) seatbone and, may ask for slight flexion toward the direction of travel with his inside rein
Rein
Reins are items of horse tack, used to direct a horse or other animal used for riding or driving. Reins can be made of leather, nylon, metal, or other materials, and attach to a bridle via either its bit or its noseband.-Use for riding:...
. The outside rein prevents any forward movement and helps maintain proper bend. The rider's inside leg comes back slightly behind the girth
Girth (tack)
A girth, sometimes called a cinch , is a piece of equipment used to keep the saddle in place on a horse or other animal. It passes under the barrel of the equine, usually attached to the saddle on both sides by two or three leather straps called billets...
to encourage the horse's hind leg to cross over. The rider's outside leg should be on the girth, receiving and regulating each step. When the turn is complete, the horse should be ridden forward with impulsion
Impulsion
Impulsion is the pushing power of a horse, which comes from its desire to move powerfully forward with energy. However, speed does not create impulsion, and a rushing horse is more likely to be "flat" than impulsive...
. It is important for the rider to sit tall, with his balanced centered in the saddle.
The aids should be relaxed slightly after each step, before asking for another, to reward the horse.
Uses of the turn on the forehand
The movement can be beneficial to the horse, in that it improves form and encourages stretching and flexion of the inside hind leg. It teaches sideways movement from the rider's leg, introducing basic lateral concepts, from which more complicated lateral movementLateral movement
Lateral movements or lateral flexions within equestrianism, have a specific meaning, used to refer to movements made by a horse where the animal is moving in a direction other than straight forward...
s may be introduced, such as the half-pass
Half-pass
The half-pass is a lateral movement seen in dressage, in which the horse moves forward and sideways at the same time. Unlike the easier leg-yield, the horse is bent in the direction of travel, slightly around the rider's inside leg. The outside hind and forelegs should cross over the inside legs,...
. It also provides a good way of releasing stiffness and tension from the muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
s.
For the rider, this exercise improves both coordination and application of the aids. It has practical use for helping the rider to open gates when trail riding
Trail riding
Trail riding sometimes called horse or pony trekking is riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena. The term may encompass those who travel on horses, on mountain bikes, or on motorcycles and other motorized all-terrain vehicles...
or otherwise riding across rural lands.