How do riders use leg pressure to create forward movement in horses?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

horsemanship An Icelandic horse moving swiftly at the *tölt*, a smooth four-beat, lateral running walk.

In horsemanship, the rider’s legs serve as a primary natural aid to communicate with the horse. To create forward movement, the rider presses both legs simultaneously against the horse’s flanks.1

This action is most effective when performed immediately after the rider eases the tension on the reins. By coordinating the release of the hands with the application of leg pressure, the rider signals the horse to move forward, helping to establish and maintain impulsion. While the legs are the primary tool for this command, riders may also use artificial aids like blunt spurs to reinforce these signals during advanced training.1