Ride Along Notes
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Horse World Expo, Harrisburg, PA - March 5-8, 2026
Course Discount
This mini course will help you understand the fundamentals of lateral work, preparing you for even more collection, engagement, balance, and SUCCESS with your horse.
14 Days FREE Trial
Join the Academy TODAY to get a FREE 14 DAY TRIAL! (As a member, you get access to ALL the Academy courses that are available at no extra charge! Join now to get started.
Seat Evaluation
Be sure to stop by the booth for a FREE SEAT EVALUATION. Learn how to activate the "pillar principle" to clarify your aids for a more productive ride in the saddle. (PLUS an Academy Membership Bonus!)
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Essential Ingredients for Lateral Work Success
- Reinback
- Half Halt
- 10 Meter Circle
- Turn on the Forehand
- Turn on the Haunches
Lightness to the aids is a requirement, and so it lightness OF the aids. It's not about pushing the horse sideways, it's about the horse understanding the request. If it isn't light, it isn't right.
The rider's position is paramount - the position doesn't change, the direction of intention is what changes the weight and carriage. The seat-bones communication without needing to change places. It's not about working hard, it's about communicating clearly through the intention of the seat. The seat aims to move into the movement, not against it. Guiding, not pushing or blocking.
Our # 1 job is to build the horse's confidence in our requests.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Leg Yield & Shoulder-In Fundamentals
Leg Yield
Suppling. The horse moves forward and away from the bend, front and hind legs crossing, maintaining the true balancing diagonal.
Softens the back, and can be used to help with relaxation.
Aids: Outside rein supports stability of the outside shoulder and engagement of the inside hind. Inside rein helps to free the inside shoulder and unlock the outside stifle. Inside leg supports for engagement.
The seat guides, doesn't push.
Shoulder-In
Engaging, specifically the inside hock. The horse moves forward and away from the bend on 3 tracks. No legs crossing. Inside hind is engaging and stepping deeper under the body. Outside shoulder is brought into alignment with the inside hind. Maintains the true balancing diagonal.
The position of shoulder-in is 1 step onto a 10 meter circle.
Aids: Outside rein supports stability of the outside shoulder and engagement of the inside hind. Inside rein helps to free the inside shoulder. Inside leg supports for stability of the outside hind.
Start and reward/release to the 10 meter circle when first introducing it.
The seat guides, doesn't push.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Haunches In & Haunches Out: Cornerstones for Collection
Haunches In
Engaging, specifically the outside stifle. The horse moves forward and toward the bend, with no legs crossing. The outside hind engages/steps deeper under the body, into 3 and/or 4 tracks (depending on the degree of bend/engagement). Works off of the counter balancing diagonal.
The position of haunches in is 1 step from finishing a 10 meter circle.
Aids: The inside rein supports the flexion, stability of the inside shoulder, and engagement of the outside hind. The outside rein helps to free the outside stifle. The inside leg supports for bend and shoulder alignment. The outside leg supports engagement and activity of the outside hind.
Start and reward/release the haunches in to the 10 meter circle when first introducing it.
The seat guides, doesn't push.
Haunches in vs haunches out is simply dependent on the position of the track/rail.
Aids: The inside rein supports the flexion, stability of the inside shoulder, and engagement of the outside hind. The outside rein helps to free the outside stifle. The inside leg supports for bend and shoulder alignment. The outside leg supports engagement and activity of the outside hind.
Start and reward/release the haunches in to the 10 meter circle when first introducing it.
The seat guides, doesn't push.
Haunches in vs haunches out is simply dependent on the position of the track/rail.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Beyond Haunches In: The Evolution of Half Pass
Half Pass
Shoulder-In Position + Haunches In across the diagonal.
Traversalle - haunches in, across the diagonal. Useful for building confidence and understanding in the horse and the rider.
In walk and trot, engaging, specifically the outside stifle and initiating the coiling of the entire pelvis. In the canter, the pelvis coils more. The horse moves forward and toward the bend, with the legs crossing as the angle increases. The outside hind engages/steps deeper under the body, into 3 and /or 4 tracks (depending on the degree of bend/engagement). Works off of the counter balancing diagonal.
Aids: The inside rein supports the flexion, stability of the inside shoulder, and engagement of the outside hind. The outside rein helps to free the outside stifle. The inside leg supports for bend and shoulder alignment. The outside leg supports engagement and activity of the outside hind. As the horse advances, the inside rein gives to maintain more freedom in the reach of the shoulders.
Start and reward/release the haunches in to the 10 meter circle when first introducing it.
The seat guides, doesn't push.
The seat must have an ending destination to clarify alignment and forward progression.
Course Discount
This mini course will help you understand the fundamentals of lateral work, preparing you for even more collection, engagement, balance, and SUCCESS with your horse.
14 Days FREE Trial
Join the Academy TODAY to get a FREE 14 DAY TRIAL! (As a member, you get access to ALL the Academy courses that are available at no extra charge! Join now to get started.
Seat Evaluation
Be sure to stop by the booth for a FREE SEAT EVALUATION. Learn how to activate the "pillar principle" to clarify your aids for a more productive ride in the saddle. (PLUS an Academy Membership Bonus!)
