Mastering the Turn on the Forehand:  A Key Exercise for Horse and Rider

The turn on the forehand is a foundational exercise in classical riding that has wide applications across various equestrian disciplines, including dressage, eventing and western riding. Though it may seem simple at first glance, mastering this movement involves a combination of precise aids, understanding of the horse’s body mechanics and proper timing. This exercise not only improves the horse's suppleness and obedience but also enhances the rider's control and communication with the horse.

In this blog, we will explore how to ride a turn on the forehand, the correct aids, the benefits for both horse and rider and where this exercise fits into a horse’s training.

What is the Turn on the Forehand?

The turn on the forehand is a lateral movement in which the horse turns around its hindquarters while maintaining forward movement. Essentially, the horse pivots on its inside front leg while its inside hind legs steps over and in front of the outside hind leg. The inside front leg steps in time and is the focal point of the turn, while the front legs move around in a small arc. This exercise is mainly performed at a halt, though it can also be done at a walk to develop control and suppleness.

The turn on the forehand is a movement that teaches the horse to move off the rider’s leg aids, step laterally, and yield through its body. It also helps the horse build balance and improve its responsiveness to the rider’s cues, which is critical for other more advanced movements, such as the turn on the haunches, half-passes and pirouettes.

The Aids for the Turn on the Forehand

Executing a proper turn on the forehand requires clear and coordinated aids from the rider. While this may seem like a simple movement, the rider’s timing and understanding of how to use the aids effectively are crucial to performing the turn smoothly and correctly.

Here’s how to use the aids for the turn on the forehand:

1. Leg Aids:

The rider’s legs play a key role in directing the horse’s movement. The inside leg is the most important aid to signal the turn.

Here’s how it works:

Inside Leg:

The rider’s inside leg (on the side away from the turn) must be placed slightly behind the girth. This leg is used to encourage the horse to move the hindquarters over, creating the pivot point around the inside front leg.

Outside Leg:

The outside leg (on the opposite side of the turn) should be placed at or just behind the girth. This leg provides a supportive aid, preventing the horse from swinging its hindquarters too much and helping maintain straightness through the spine during the turn. It also ensures that the movement remains controlled.

2. Rein Aids:

While the turn on the forehand is primarily a lateral movement, the reins are still used to help guide the horse and maintain balance:

Inside Rein:

The inside rein is used to maintain slight flexion to the inside and to guide the horse’s head and neck in the desired direction. However, the inside rein should not be pulled sharply, as this can cause the horse to lose balance or bend improperly.

Outside Rein:

The outside rein is used to prevent the horse from falling out through the outside shoulder. It helps keep the horse’s front end steady and supports the bend. It should not be used to pull the horse’s head in the direction of the turn but to guide the movement in a soft and controlled manner.

3. Body Position:

The rider’s body position also plays a role in maintaining balance and aiding the turn on the forehand:

Seat:

The rider’s seat should remain centered and relaxed. The rider should not lean in the direction of the turn, as this can destabilize the horse’s balance. Instead, the rider should remain tall and maintain equal weight in both stirrups.

Torso and Shoulders:

The rider’s torso and shoulders should be aligned with the horse’s body. As the horse turns, the rider should maintain a neutral position with no exaggerated movement of the upper body.

Benefits of the Turn on the Forehand for the Horse

The turn on the forehand is a great exercise for building foundational strength, balance and responsiveness.

Here are some of the key benefits for the horse:

1. Improved Suppleness and Flexibility:

One of the most significant benefits of the turn on the forehand is that it helps the horse develop greater suppleness in its body. By moving the hindquarters of the horse around the front legs, the horse is asked to engage and stretch its muscles, particularly in the neck and shoulders. This movement helps to release tension and build flexibility in the horse’s body, which is essential for more advanced movements.

This suppleness can also teach the horse to have more understanding to bend and flex in future work and improving overall responsiveness to the rider’s aids.

2. Strengthening the Hindquarters:

The turn on the forehand requires the horse to engage its inside hind leg while he pivots around the front legs. This action builds strength and muscle in the horse’s hindquarters, which is crucial for overall balance and performance in other movements. Stronger hindquarters lead to greater pushing power and overall athleticism, which is necessary for a horse to perform more advanced movements like jumping, lateral work or dressage movements like shoulder-in.

3. Improved Balance and Coordination:

The turn on the forehand helps the horse develop better balance and coordination, particularly through the hindquarters. Because the movement requires the horse to pivot around the inside front leg, it teaches the horse to shift its weight, improving its overall stability and ability to carry itself properly. Over time, this contributes to better balance and posture in more complex movements.

4. Lateral Movement Training:

The turn on the forehand teaches the horse to move laterally in a controlled manner, which is an essential skill in advanced training. The ability to move the horse’s legs while maintaining balance and rhythm is key to many dressage exercises, such as the leg yield, shoulder-in, and half-pass. The turn on the forehand is an effective introduction to lateral work, allowing the rider to gauge the horse’s responsiveness to leg aids and to develop better communication.

Benefits for the Rider

The turn on the forehand isn’t just beneficial for the horse – it’s also an essential tool for the rider.

Here are some key benefits for the rider:

1. Improved Communication and Control:

The turn on the forehand teaches the rider how to use subtle leg aids and rein pressure to control the horse’s movements. It helps improve the rider’s sensitivity to the horse’s body language and responsiveness, allowing for more refined communication. By mastering this exercise the rider learns how to direct the horse’s body effectively, which is crucial for more advanced movements and transitions.

2. Enhanced Balance and Positioning:

Riding a turn on the forehand requires the rider to maintain a stable and centered position, especially as the horse pivots around its front legs. This exercise helps the rider improve their own balance and body awareness. It encourages the rider to develop a deep seat and an ability to maintain even weight distribution in both stirrups, which is essential for more advanced dressage or jumping work.

3. Building Confidence and Refinement:

Mastering the turn on the forehand builds the rider’s confidence in their ability to guide and control the horse. It is a relatively simple exercise that, when done correctly, provides the rider with a sense of accomplishment and control. It also serves as a foundation for more advanced lateral movements, allowing the rider to refine their aids and coordination for future exercises.

Where the Turn on the Forehand Fits into Training

The turn on the forehand is typically introduced early in a horse’s training, often at the walk, to teach them the basic concepts of lateral movement and responsiveness to the rider’s aids. It is a great tool for improving a horse’s balance and control before progressing to more complex movements.

Here’s where the turn on the forehand fits into the overall training process:

Early Training:

The turn on the forehand can be used as an introduction to lateral work. It teaches the horse how to move their body in response to the rider’s leg aids while maintaining balance. Riders can use this exercise to check the horse’s responsiveness and ensure they are engaging their hindquarters properly.

Strength and Suppleness Building:

As the horse becomes more advanced, the turn on the forehand can be used to build strength and suppleness in preparation for more advanced movements like leg yields, half-passes, and shoulder-in. The increased engagement of the hindquarters and improved lateral movement contributes to the horse’s overall fitness and readiness for higher-level exercises.

Improving the Rider’s Aids:

For riders, the turn on the forehand is an excellent exercise for improving the use of leg and rein aids. It teaches subtle, effective leg pressure and helps the rider become more attuned to the horse’s body responses. It also allows the rider to practice maintaining a steady and balanced seat while guiding the horse through the movement.

Conclusion

The turn on the forehand is a valuable training tool for both horse and rider. It enhances the horse’s suppleness, balance, and strength while improving the rider’s ability to communicate through subtle aids. This exercise helps develop the skills necessary for more advanced lateral movements and builds a solid foundation for a wide range of disciplines, from dressage to eventing and beyond.

By mastering the turn on the forehand, riders can improve their horses' athleticism and refine their own riding skills, making it a key exercise in both the early and advanced stages of training.