Flatwork / Dressage Intermediate 20 min

Leg Yield Across the Diagonal

Focus: Lateral Work, Suppleness, Responsiveness

Equipment: 2 cones or markers

Start tracking left at the working trot. At the letter before the corner, prepare to turn across the diagonal.
As you begin the diagonal line, apply your left leg to push the horse sideways to the right while maintaining forward motion.
The horse should be almost straight with a slight left flexion (flexion away from the direction of sideways travel).
Maintain an even tempo. The leg yield should not slow the horse down.
Aim to arrive at the opposite track with the horse stepping evenly both forward and sideways.
Walk, change direction, and repeat the leg yield on the other diagonal.
Practice until the leg yield feels smooth and the horse responds promptly to your lateral aid.

The horse leading with the haunches instead of moving shoulders and haunches together.
Losing straightness through over-bending the neck.
Not maintaining enough forward energy, resulting in a sluggish sideways shuffle.
The angle of travel being too steep (too much sideways, not enough forward).

Ride leg yield on the diagonal at the walk first for clearer aids.
Add a 10-meter circle at X before completing the leg yield to the rail.
Alternate leg yield direction: half-diagonal leg yield right, then half-diagonal leg yield left.

Tip: Imagine your horse is moving through a narrow corridor angled across the arena. Forward must always be the priority over sideways.