Western Dressage: Leg Yield to Lope Depart

By Al Dunning with J. Forsberg Meyer
Photos by Robert Dawson

First read my intro to this lesson, then...

1. After warming up your horse, establish a nice, steady trot. Your "Western dressage" position should be as mine is here--so that a straight line falls from your ear, through your shoulder and hip, and down to the back of your heel. Sit deep in your saddle and ride your horse from back to front--that is, use your legs to drive him forward into the bridle, as I'm doing.