The Guide to the L Shape

The L Shape - or L for Leather as it's also known - is one of the most important obstacle exercises you can do. What you have to do is teach your pony to back up round a corner.

We use this exercise for lots of reasons:- it helps us be in control of our pony's feet;- for improved concentration;- to help us understand how our pony moves;- so that we can move our pony into position for gates, etc.- and lots more!

RAs use it a lot, especially when working with ponies who have a problem loading in a trailer or lorry.

For this exercise, you will need:- 4 poles, such as jump poles- a safe working area- a Dually or ordinary headcollar, and a

Step 1 - teach your pony to back up lightly

Don't forget to read the IH Kids Pressure and Release Guide in the 'Essentials' section before you start. You will need to use pressure and release all the time during this exercise.

Step 1 - backing up (continued)

Once you can back up outside the poles, walk your pony through the L shape so he knows his space. Then, back himjust a step or two between the poles so he understands that's what he needs to do.

When you first back towards a pole behind him, go slowly and make sure he's happy. Some ponies need to learn it's ok to back up to a pole. If he is unhappy, back him a step or two, then bring him forwards again. Repeat if you need to.

Now you are ready to back up round a corner....

Step 2 - teach him to bend

Take a pencil and hold it in the middle between 2 fingers. With the other hand, push one end of the pencil. See what happens to the other end? It goes in the opposite direction.

That's just what happens with our ponies. If we swing the head one way, his bottom will swing the other way. If you pull his head towards you, his bottom will swing away from you.

That's how can back our pony round a corner.

Step 3 - keep control

If you find that your pony isn't quite in the right place, stop and, if necessary, bring him forwards a step before starting again. It can be a bit tricky to start off with but you will get better as you practice.

Step 4 - change direction

We always do our exercises from both sides so the pony understands everything from both sides. Practice backing round the corner from in both directions, and you can also try standing on the other side of your pony so you'll push his headaway from you instead of pulling it.

Can you see how you could join these 2up if you had lotsof poles?