The turn on the forehand — and a similar moment called turn about the forehand — is often used as a first introduction to lateral work for horses, as they are fairly simple to understand and perform. Once the horse has learnt how to yield from the rider’s leg in order to accomplish these movements, there is a natural progression to move on to leg yield, then shoulder-in. But before you attempt to introduce turn on the forehand, you need to understand what it is and how to ride it.
Some people think that turn on the forehand is an old-fashioned exercise, but it was recommended by the classical masters for a reason and is still used in the Spanish Riding School and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Spain. It teaches horses to yield from the rider’s leg, be soft in their backs and increases their suppleness.
What is a turn on the forehand?
A turn on the forehand requires the horse to move his hindquarters around his front legs. For the movement to be successful, the horse’s front legs should describe a small circle, while his quarters will do a larger circle.
A turn on the forehand is where the horse turns around in his own length, on the spot, using the inside foreleg as the pivot, for a quarter or half circle.
The turn on the forehand should be ridden from halt, whereas the turn about the forehand is done from walk and all four legs should maintain the same rhythm before, during and after it.
For a good quality turn on the forehand the back legs should circle around the front legs, with the inside hind crossing well over in front of the outside leg, moving away from the rider’s leg. The horse should pick up and put down the inside front leg in the same place (or as near as possible). For the horse to be able to cross his inside hind leg in front of his outside hind, he has to engage his core and lift his back, hence the supplying and strengthening effect of this exercise.
For turn about the forehand, the forehand will do a tiny circle and the quarters will do a larger circle. The horse moves away from the bend – if the horse is bent to the left, the quarters move to the right.
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What are the benefits of a turn on the forehand?
A turn on the forehand teaches the horse:
To move away from the leg
To be obedient to the aids while not moving forwards or backwards
Can be a good introduction to lateral work
Develops co-ordination and balance
Builds muscles and improves flexibility, especially in the back
Adds interest and variety to the training programme
It also benefits the rider in many ways:
Teaches rider co-ordination and helps develop feel
The rider learns how to use different parts of the body at the same time for different effects
Emphasises using the leg to move the horse, rather than the hand
It is a slow movement so the rider has plenty of time to think it through
It can be another method of changing the rein, if ridden through 180 degrees
Useful for moving the horse around in a confined space, or out hacking when your horse tries to shy at something
It’s a useful technique for opening gates
How do I teach my horse?
To experience for yourself how this exercise works before sitting in the saddle, stand up straight and lock your own ankle, knee and hip joints and put your hand in the small of your back. If you cross your legs and move sideways, you will feel your back muscles barely move. If you then relax and bend your joints before moving sideways, you will feel all the muscles in your back working. It’s the same for the horse.
You can teach the basic turn on the forehand from the ground. Doing so means you will have better control over the horse as well as increasing his joint flexibility. Standing by your horse’s shoulder facing their hind legs, place your hand on the horse’s side just behind where the girth would be and ask the horse to step the hindleg nearest to you over and in front of the outside hindleg. Make sure where you are training allows the horse enough room to move around without feeling restricted. If the horse tried to walk forward instead, apply a little pressure on your horse’s nose to discourage this reaction and ask again. Ask for a single step at a time, pausing and rewarding the horse when they react as desired.
How to ride turn about the forehand
A turn on the forehand requires the horse to move his hindquarters around his front legs in a small circle, while his quarters will make a larger circle
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
International dressage rider and trainer Pammy Hutton explains how to ride a turn about the forehand:
1. In walk, start on a 20m circle on the right rein.
2. Away from the track, half-halt and sit a little bit to the right. Use the right rein gently to signal the direction and ask for a little bend and flexion. Your left rein controls the amount of neck bend, which should only be small.
3. Move your right leg a little behind the girth and ask the horse to move away from it. The left leg supports and prevents the horse from rushing.
4. Keep the horse moving forward throughout the exercise. The right hindleg should cross in front of the left. The front legs should not cross but should move sideways around a small circle.
5. Repeat four or five times, then do the same on the left rein.
Common problems
When introducing the turn on the forehand, you may face the following problems:
The horse walks forward
Or the horse steps backwards
The horse has too much head and neck bend, allowing him to fall out through his shoulder or walk a circle instead
The horse loses his outline, sticks his nose in the air and generally resists and evades your aids
The hindleg does not cross over in front of the other hindleg and your horse shuffles around in little steps
He runs away from the inside leg and spins around really quickly
Loss of impulsion or rhythm
Training tips
Keep the horse thinking forward to avoid the inside hindleg stepping behind the outside hindleg
Keep the rein aids light — ask for a little flexion and then give the rein
Build the turn on the forehand into other exercises. For example, if the horse isn’t forward in canter, canter a 20m circle, make a direct transition to walk, then ride an outward half-turn on the forehand. Go back into canter immediately on the other rein and repeat – this will makes him more supple through his body
You can use this exercise if the horse goes stiff and tense or threatens to rear. Putting them into turn on the forehand encourages them to relax both physically and mentally
Is turn on the forehand in any British Dressage tests?
The turn on the forehand is not found in any British Dressage tests at any level, but it is a useful training exercise to incorporate into schooling to aid with the execution of other movements.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
