How to teach your horse the lateral step

Step 1: Preparation

Before you start teaching the lateral step, make sure your horse is warmed up and relaxed. You should also have a clear and level surface to work on, such as a sand arena or a flat pasture. You can use cones or poles to mark a straight line where you will be asking your horse to move sideways.

Step 2: Leg yield

The first exercise to introduce your horse to the lateral step is the leg yield. The leg yield is a diagonal movement where the horse moves sideways and forward at the same time. To perform a leg yield, you start by riding along the rail, and then ask your horse to move its hindquarters away from your inside leg, while keeping its shoulders straight. You achieve this by applying a light pressure with your inside leg at the girth and using your outside rein to maintain the horse’s balance and direction. Your outside leg will support the horse’s forward movement. As your horse starts to move sideways, praise and reward him with a pat and a treat.

Step 3: Shoulder-in

The next exercise is the shoulder-in, which is a lateral movement where the horse moves its shoulders to the inside of the arena or track, while keeping its hindquarters straight. The shoulder-in is a more advanced movement, but it is a great preparation for the lateral step. To perform a shoulder-in, you start by riding on the rail and then ask your horse to move its shoulders away from the inside leg, while keeping its hindquarters and neck straight. You achieve this by applying a light pressure with your inside leg at the girth and using your outside rein to maintain the horse’s direction and balance. Your outside leg will support the horse’s impulsion and keep its hindquarters on the track. As your horse starts to move its shoulders to the inside, praise and reward him with a pat and a treat.

Step 4: Lateral step

Now that your horse is familiar with the leg yield and the shoulder-in, you can start introducing the actual lateral step. The lateral step is a straight movement where the horse moves its hindquarters to the side, while keeping its shoulders straight. To perform a lateral step, you start by riding along the cones or poles that you have set up, and then ask your horse to move its hindquarters away from your inside leg, while keeping its shoulders and neck straight. You achieve this by applying a light pressure with your inside leg at the girth and using your outside rein to maintain the horse’s balance and direction. Your outside leg will support the horse’s forward movement and keep its hindquarters on the line. Your horse should step sideways with its inside hind leg and then follow with its other three legs, creating a straight line to the side. As your horse starts to perform the lateral step, praise and reward him with a pat and a treat.

Step 5: Refinement

Once your horse can perform the lateral step on both sides, you can start refining the movement. You can ask for more steps, or ask for a smaller or larger angle. You can also ask your horse to bend its neck or flex its haunches. The key is to stay patient and consistent, and to reward your horse’s effort and progress.

In conclusion, teaching your horse the lateral step is a great way to improve his supple, balance and responsiveness. By using a step-by-step approach, you can introduce the exercise gradually and effectively. Remember to always warm up your horse, have a clear and level surface to work on, and reward your horse’s effort and progress. Happy training!