More Leg: Why It’s Never the Answer

When a horse moves, its ribcage naturally swings side to side. Closing your legs around the ribs stops this motion, which is essential for balance, and a normal part of way the horse moves. Imagine being asked to move freely while someone holds you tightly—it’s uncomfortable, you'd have to push through the restraint, therefore it is confusing. Instead of squeezing harder, riders should use their seat to activate the back muscles and move with the horse’s natural rhythm.

Understanding how horses move is key to better communication. The extensor chain muscles—which are those along the top line above the spine and behind the hip—are largely responsible for forward propulsion. Recognising these biomechanics helps riders work with the horse's natural movement, creating smoother and clearer communication.

The first reaction of any horse when feeling leg pressure is to stop. Most riders will assume this is wrong because most don’t start their own horses under saddle—they ride horses already trained to go forward from leg pressure. If you sit on a horse that has never had a rider and nudge with your seat, they will move forward. But if you close your legs, they’ll stop. Yes, of course, you can train horses to move forward from leg pressure, but if you keep adding more leg, they will become dull and unresponsive.

At this point, you have two options:

• Work with the Horse: Use your seat to engage the horse’s back muscles and ask for forward movement.

• Work Against the Horse: Clamp your legs and kick when they stop, punishing the horse and making them guess what you want.

The Importance of Release

Horses learn through the release of pressure, not from constant pressure. If you apply leg pressure without releasing when the horse moves forward, you’re training them to ignore your aids. This is why “more leg” often confuses horses—it lacks clarity. Release as soon as your horse responds, and you’ll notice how much more willing they are. Horses are incredibly forgiving and eager to learn when we work with their natural instincts.

More leg, stronger bits, tighter nosebands—these are NOT solutions. They might force a short-term reaction, but long-term success comes from patience and understanding, not gadgets. If your horse doesn’t respond, ask: Is there tension? Lack of preparation? Are they confused or uncomfortable? True progress comes from communication, not shortcuts.

More Leg is a Band-Aid

Adding more leg doesn’t fix the root cause—it’s a temporary solution. Horses hesitate approaching jumps because they lack confidence, balance, or preparation. Pushing harder only masks these issues. Instead, focus on understanding why the horse is unsure and work to build a confident, responsive partner—before you even start jumping.

A Quality Canter Leads to Confidence

A quality canter is essential for approaching a jump confidently. It’s not just about seeing the takeoff spot—it’s about having an adjustable canter to respond to what you see. Balance and support from the rider’s seat let the horse focus on the jump without being distracted by excessive aids.

Have you ever been driving a car and turned down the music when you entered a busy area so you could concentrate better? That’s what it’s like for a horse. If they’re concentrating and you start giving louder aids, it distracts them from the task.

Listen to Your Horse

STOP blaming your horse when things go wrong. They aren’t lazy or stubborn. If they hesitate or refuse, they’re telling you something—maybe they’re unbalanced, confused, or unprepared. Instead of kicking harder, listen to your horse. Trust and understanding are the foundations of good training.

The best riders don’t rely on physical effort—they communicate effectively with light aids. Ever heard the saying, “The rider just sits there, and the horse does all the work”? That’s actually what it should look like! Teaching your horse to respond to the slightest aids is the mark of a true horse person.

Thank you so much for being here!
Until next time,
Merindah