it. "Turn the key," and slightly open the left inside rein to lightly position the horse's head so he is looking in the direction he is turning.

As you complete the circle to the left, prepare to reverse direction across the middle of the imaginary Figure 8. Straighten the horse for a few steps while crossing the middle of the Figure 8. Prepare to change the horse's body position to ready him for a circle to the right. Start the turn by applying the left leg and left rein while keeping him forward using the right leg. Lightly position his head to the right using the inside (right) rein.

Practice this exercise, and then add some challenge by asking the horse to make tighter circles within the Figure 8 pattern. Remember the same principles apply - outside rein - outside leg to turn. Maintain the inside leg to keep him forward (so he does not stall in the tighter turn), and lightly position his head with the inside rein to keep him looking in the direction he is turning.

Once you feel that you are solid on understanding the role of the turning aids, pick up the pace and try this exercise at the trot. The increased speed of the trot will challenge you to apply your aids properly. Ask your horse to pick up a trot and start with a turn to the right. Begin turning to the right using your left leg and left rein. Use your inside right leg to keep the horse's forward movement at the trot, while the right hand lightly positions his head so he is looking to the right as he is bending and turning in that direction. As you approach the middle of the Figure 8, prepare to change direction to a circle to the left. Straighten the horse as you cross the middle, and then apply the bending aids to the left. Apply the left leg to keep the forward momentum, lightly position his head in the new direction, and use the right rein and right leg to turn.

Understanding the Difference between the Turning Aids and the Bending Aids
To review, the turning aids are the outside leg and outside indirect rein, supported by the inside leg and inside rein.

Bending is when the horse arcs his body, from the poll (top of the head), through his spine, to the dock (top of the tail). The bending aids are inside leg and inside open rein, supported by the outside leg and outside rein. The inside leg is the bending aid curving the spine from the withers to the dock. The open rein flexes the head inward and curves the spine from the poll to the withers.

It is very important for the horse to have the correct body position on straight lines and curves. This allows the horse to achieve his best balance. The rider keeps the horse straight between her/his leg and hand aids. The rapport between her leg and hand aids is critical!

Aids Sequence for Bending:
1. the inside leg just behind the girth,
2. inside open rein (An open rein is applied by turning your hand as if you are turning a key to open a door or start a car. Then the hand is moved forward and sideways. Your fingernails should point to the sky, as an exaggerated position to get this correct. Later you will not need to exaggerate this as much.),
3. the outside leg to support the horse's hips from swinging out, and
4. the outside rein to control the head and neck from bending or flexing too far and to keep the shoulder in line of the bend.

Here is an exercise to help you practice using the bending aids to keep the horse in proper position on a curve and on a straight line. It uses an elongated Figure 8 pattern made up of two half-circles on each end connected by long, diagonal straight lines. We will start with the aids sequence used when going from a straight line to a turn and returning to the straight line:

1. start the figure on one of the pattern's straight lines using even leg aids and rein aids to keep the horse straight,
2. before the turn, use the bending aids (the inside leg, and open inside rein) supporting the bend with the outside leg and outside indirect rein against the neck,
3. as you get to the turn, use the turning aids (the outside leg and outside indirect rein) to direct the horse through the turn,
4. before going straight again, use the straightening aids (the inside leg to stop the bending and bring the horse to your outside open rein),
5. as you get back to the point of going on a straight line again, evenly apply both leg aids and rein aids to keep the horse forward and straight.

The process starts over again before the next turn.

Do this exercise at the walk to get the coordination of the aids. At the walk, you also have more time to do the figure and feel the horse's reactions in response to your aids. When you perfect the exercise at the walk, repeat it at the trot. As you progress, this figure will lend itself to the canter with a simple change of lead in the middle of the straight line.

My five-part series, Dressage Principles for the Western and English Horse and Rider will enhance this series on Communicating with Your Aids. For more information on this and other Palm Partnership Training™ products, or information on clinics, go to www.lynnpalm.com or call us at 800-503-2824.