Square Exercise # 2 - The Diamond Exercise

The Diamond Exercise is a great way to educate the horse and rider on the lateral aids - and how to apply the lateral aids to forward movement. Without a solid understanding of the lateral aids, the horse will not respond to the bending aids properly. The rider will then find it hard to improve the connection by riding up into the outside rein, and will therefore not be able to improve the horse's balance and carriage. Once the rider knows how to apply the lateral aids... and the horse understands how to respond to them, the basic lateral foundation will be established - which will allow the rider to be able to successfully utilize bending, circles, and lateral work to improve the horse. Here's how to do it! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)