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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Turn on the Forehand

2/20/2017

 
The 2017 USEF Rulebook says The purpose of this exercise is to supple the horse and teach him obedience to the aids.

Don't I know it. That's EXACTLY what I've been using it for.

In this exercise, the inside of the horse is the side from which the horse yields, i.e. the horse is flexed at the poll to the right, which is the inside, when the haunches move to the left.

​
Theoretically anyway. In reality, there might be some hopping around, pinning of ears, and then a stagger that is mostly in a leftward direction.
Picture
May 2015 - he's really grown!
The horse moves around the inside front leg. The outside front foot steps forward and around the inside forefoot, which remains active in the sequence of footfalls. 

Haha ... I can't tell what that outside front is doing as I am 100% focused on moving the haunches. At this point, we're going for MOVE rather than move correctly.

The hind feet move on a curved line, with the inside hind foot striking the ground in front of the outside hind foot. 

​
Is a zig-zag okay?
Picture
November 2015 - I hope we get that coat back this summer.
I am kidding of course. When Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, was here a few weeks ago, we did some interesting work with the turn on the forehand. It's not an element of any dressage test, but I am finding it to be a great exercise for willful, high energy ponies. 

We all know that Izzy isn't the easiest horse to ride, but he's getting there. Before our last lesson, he was actually becoming quite the packer. I knew that wouldn't last, and I was right. With the recent weather, he's been ridden once a week. Of course he's being a jerk.
Picture
January 2016
His sassiness has been coming through as balking and refusing to go forward. Once he does go forward, it's in a giant crow hop accompanied by a rear or a buck. Not exactly how I want to spend an afternoon. 

During my last lesson with Chemaine, Izzy was being pretty cantankerous, so Chemaine encouraged me to make him do something, anything, as long as it was my idea. I am a pretty strong rider, but it's tough to let him go forward when he's getting ready to launch. Booting his butt to left or right solves so many problems; it's hard to buck or rear when your hind end is all crossed up.
Picture
February 2016
On Saturday, I lunged him for 10 - 15 minutes because he'd been ridden only once in the past 10 days, and he hadn't been able to get his wiggles out because of the mud. He was a perfect gentleman on the lunge: walk, trot, canter with just the slightest of aids.

I hopped on board hoping for a quiet ride, but Speedy, who was tied to the fence, lost his marbles and starting blowing and waving his tail. I couldn't blame Izzy for going to DEFCON 1 without even a pause. Speedy was certain the Russians were coming, and he wanted Izzy to be prepared. 
Picture
March 2016
Izzy humped his back up and gave a slow motion whirl/buck/rear/spin that was worthy of a 10. Since it was so slow, I easily wrangled him back into line and then sent his butt twirling around his front end. It was the second time we've worked on the exercise, and to his credit, he knew what I wanted. In no time at all, he was doing circles around his own front end. Fifteen minutes later we had picked up a canter to the left and were rocking along pretty nicely.

We followed that up with a short walk break and then worked on the right lead canter. Last year at this time, we could not get a right lead canter. Six months ago, we couldn't hold a right lead canter. Now, we can get and hold the lead, but we're working on getting it soft and relaxed. We finished up with a loose inside rein and a big smile on my face.

I foresee a whole bunch more turning on the forehand!
jenj
2/20/2017 08:11:17 am

Hahaha, I LOVE finding an exercise that really gets their brains focused on you! You've got his number!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/24/2017 05:13:14 am

This is working REALLY well!

Sarah link
2/20/2017 08:59:04 am

Haha "the Russians are coming" - great move on the turn to prohibit unscheduled dance moves :D

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/24/2017 05:14:02 am

I worked him yesterday with the turns and it really redirected his energy.

Dom
2/20/2017 08:02:42 pm

I know some trainers who won't use turn on the forehand because "it doesn't use forward motion" but it is one of the "basic" exercises that I make every horse and rider do. It makes such a big difference in so many aspects of riding and balance. I wish *everyone* schooled it thoroughly with their horses.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/24/2017 05:17:07 am

What an odd theory. My trainer always recommends moving EVERY part of their body. She'll have me move a shoulder, move the haunches, move the nose, the neck. So why not do a turn on the forehand too?

With Speedy, we're doing the turn on the forehand like a half pass where he moves in the direction of the bend. That's helping tremendously. Frankly, I think the turn on the forehand is an excellent tool. :0)

Teresa link
2/21/2017 02:58:59 pm

I had a lesson where I was really struggling to get Irish off his forehand. The instructor had me trot down center line, halt at between I and G, do a turn on the forehand, trot off, halt between D & L, TOF. We repeated this a few times and it worked a treat to loosen up his shoulders and get him off his forehand.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/24/2017 05:18:03 am

Yep! I am doing LOTS of them now with this horse as they refocus his brown and unlock his body.


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    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home