Tired of Hearing “Inside Leg to Outside Rein?”

Let’s Break It Down! Are you sick of hearing the phrase “inside leg to outside rein” and feeling like it’s just a bunch of jargon? Trust me, you’re not alone. Let’s simplify it and get to the meat of what this concept really means.

Rocking the Horse Back to the Hind End:

 First things first, when we talk about rocking a horse back to its hind end, it’s all about bringing that outside shoulder back and behind the inside shoulder. You can also think of it as guiding the outside shoulder toward the inside hind leg. Easy enough, right?

Creating a Center of Balance:

 Next up, we need that inside hind leg to step way under the horse. This isn’t just for show; it’s what supports the rider’s weight and keeps things balanced. A horse that's balanced is a happy horse!

Loosening Up the Neck:

Now, let’s talk about the neck. If the base of the neck is in tension, the horse isn’t tapping into its core muscles. Here’s the thing: those core muscles are powerful but require more energy to engage. And let’s be real, every creature on this planet has a knack for conserving calories! When horses rely too much on locked muscles, they can run into bone changes down the line. So, we need to help them learn to move in a way that keeps their core and back strong while carrying us.

Engaging the Horse’s Core:

So, how do we get that core engaged? Here’s the magic: when the outside shoulder moves back and the inside hind steps forward, it creates a “crunch” in their core. This action helps the horse find balance and lift its back.  This establishes the undulating in the core and back that keeps the horse in healthy muscle usage.  

 Putting It All Together:

 So here’s the bottom line: the outside rein is there to keep the outside shoulder moving backward, while the inside leg is encouraging that inside ribcage to lift, allowing the inside leg to swing freely. These simple aids create balance, core engagement, and a lifted back, leading to straightness, engagement, and collection. It’s pretty important! Next time you hear “inside leg to outside rein,” just remember—you’re really creating a connection between the outside shoulder and inside hind, and vice versa. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you’ll have a clearer mental image to help build that beautiful body language that leads to brilliance in your dressage horse. You’ve got this!