A horse’s hind end is where the power comes from. So when trainers ask you to “engage the horse’s hind end,” they’re asking you to ride the horse from its back end to its front end, using the power of its hind quarters to drive the movement forward.
Sounds simple, right? Maybe not.
It’s easy to listen to your trainer’s instructions, but it’s a totally different thing to feel your horse respond correctly to the aids your trainer is telling you to use. Heels Down Mag compiled some video exercises to help explain how to engage the horse’s hind end under saddle, and what that feels like.
Transitions to build balance
In this video, eventers Dom and Jimme Schramm explain that the horse should really be working, and looking like he’s going uphill.
Turn on the haunches to encourage hind end movement
Callie King from CRK Training describes moving the horse’s hind quarters as the key to maintaining balance and self carriage.
Suppleness to drive more active gaits
Dressage trainer Cesar Torrente explains that transitions coupled with some lateral work can help the horse collect underneath himself in order to engage the hind quarters more fully.
Shortening and lengthening for engagement
In this video Zoe Hunt from Kendron Equestrian shares three exercises she uses to help engage the horse’s hind end. One focuses on lengthening and shortening strides.