Lessons In TR

Here is a fun activity some volunteers came up with for a rider working on using her legs to steer!

Ball, Egg and Spoon for Steering Using Your Legs

Skill: Using your legs and seat to steer.

Props:

• Ball (medium or large)
• Egg (hard boiled) or Small Ball
• Spoon
• Cones set up for a figure 8 and weaving

Activity:

• Explain how to use your legs and seat to steer the horse.
• Start with the spoon and small ball or egg in one hand. The rider can keep the reins in both hands, but it is easier to put the reins in one hand and the spoon in the other. This will make the rider keep her hands still and use her legs more (hopefully).
• Practice riding a figure 8 without dropping the egg/ball.
• Progress to weaving the cones.
• Next balance the big ball on your hand without supporting it on your chest, through the same patterns.
• Lastly remove the ball, and do posting trot through the figures several times using the legs and seat to steer, and the hands as subtle as possible.
• Discuss if the exercise made a difference, what worked and what didn’t.

Enjoy!

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Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for what you do with or how you use this information. The activities explained in this blog may not be fit for every rider, riding instructor, or riding center depending on their current condition and resources. Use your best personal judgement!