Flatwork / Dressage
Beginner
15 min
Turn on the Forehand
Focus: Lateral Work, Responsiveness, Obedience
Equipment: None required
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Halt your horse on the center line or along the rail. Establish a square, balanced halt.
- To turn on the forehand to the right, apply your left leg behind the girth while keeping a steady contact.
- The horse's front legs should remain almost stationary, stepping in a small circle, while the hind legs cross over and around.
- Your right leg stays passive near the girth to prevent the horse from walking forward.
- Your reins keep a light, even contact to prevent forward movement without pulling backward.
- Ask for one step at a time. Reward each correct step before asking for the next.
- Complete a 180-degree turn (half-turn on the forehand), then walk forward. Repeat in the other direction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The horse walking forward through the turn instead of pivoting on the front legs.
- Using too much rein and causing the horse to step backward.
- Asking for too many steps at once, causing the horse to rush and lose coordination.
- The front legs walking a large circle instead of staying nearly in place.
Variations & Progressions
- Progress to a full 360-degree turn on the forehand.
- Practice from the halt and from the walk for different levels of difficulty.
- Use the turn on the forehand as a gate-opening exercise: approach a gate, turn on the forehand to position yourself parallel to it.
Tip: This is a building block for all lateral work. If your horse understands moving away from leg pressure, every lateral movement becomes easier.
