Leg Yield Fundamentals

What Is a Leg Yield?

In a leg yield, the horse moves forward and sideways simultaneously — it is traveling at an angle to its direction of movement. Unlike the shoulder-in, the horse is straight (or very slightly bent away from the direction of travel) — it does not bend around the inside leg. The footfall shows all four legs crossing: inside hind and inside front legs cross over and in front of their outside counterparts.

This makes leg yield the most straightforward lateral movement — no bend, just sideways — and the ideal starting point for teaching a horse to respond to lateral pressure from the leg.

Prerequisites

• Horse yields hindquarters from leg pressure (should already be established from groundwork)
• Horse is forward and responsive to the leg in general — a horse dull to the forward-driving aid cannot be asked to move sideways from it
• A relaxed, rhythmic trot with consistent contact

Teaching the Leg Yield at the Walk

Start at the walk, along the arena wall. Position the horse parallel to the long side but several feet off it. Apply your inside leg at the girth — a quiet, sustained pressure — and allow the horse to drift toward the wall. Your outside rein catches the pace and keeps the horse from bending toward your inside leg. The horse should step sideways and forward, not just sideways.

The moment the horse takes one good sideways step, release the inside leg. Walk forward a few strides, then ask again. Build from one step to several over multiple sessions before moving to the trot.

Correct vs. Incorrect

• Correct: Horse moves forward and sideways at roughly 35-45 degrees to the track. Inside legs cross over and in front of outside legs. Rhythm is maintained. Horse is straight or very slightly flexed away from the direction of travel.
• Incorrect — falling on the forehand: Horse drifts sideways but slows and loses impulsion. Fix: more forward energy from the leg before asking sideways.
• Incorrect — haunches leading: Horse's hindquarters lead the movement, forehand trails. Fix: more outside rein to steady the forehand, less inside leg pressure.
• Incorrect — bent toward the direction of travel: Horse looks at where it's going instead of away from it. Fix: a slight flexion away from the direction of travel at the poll.

Why Leg Yield Matters

Leg yield builds the horse's understanding of lateral leg aids — the fundamental vocabulary for shoulder-in, travers, renvers, half-pass, and flying lead changes. It also develops straightness: a horse that can move its body sideways in either direction can be straightened when it drifts. And it builds suppleness in the hips and through the back — the horse learns to swing through laterally, not just forward.