| When asking for flexion your horse needs to stay | | | | will be able to tell if he's getting irritated, or he's just |
| straight through the body. He should only be flexed at | | | | mentally tired. Do it for a few laps and then leave his |
| the poll. To get your horse to flex, use your rein to ask | | | | head alone for a little while and work on going forward. |
| his head to move towards the pressure. Keep in mind | | | | Go around the outside track and just walk or trot |
| that his ears should be at the same level, if they aren't | | | | asking him to stay forward, ask for a few lengthened |
| then his head is tilting and it is not correct flexion. You | | | | strides and then ask him to slow. This will keep his |
| should just be able to see his eye of the side you | | | | mind active and prevent him from becoming bored. |
| flexed him towards. It is important his body stays | | | | When your horse is bored he is a lot harder to train. |
| straight as well as the neck staying straight. | | | | Make sure you change rein and do the same amount |
| When teaching your horse to flex you should do it on | | | | of work on each rein. If your horse is stiff to one side |
| a straight line, generally the centre or quarter line of | | | | and very flexible to the other, you may have to focus |
| you arena. If you don't have an arena set up some | | | | a little on one side. Make sure though that you train as |
| cones or jump polls as a straight line. The straight line is | | | | evenly as possible. You want your horses' muscles to |
| really for you to be able to judge if he's travelling | | | | develop as evenly as possible. |
| forward in a straight line and if his body and neck are | | | | Flexing your horse is a vital part of starting your lateral |
| staying straight. | | | | movements. It helps when you start working on two |
| When you have asked your horse for the flexion, | | | | tracks with shoulder-fore and leg yielding. It is also good |
| watch to see where he flexes first, and see how | | | | for your horse body and allows his muscles to be |
| much he flexes if at all and judge to see if you need | | | | more flexible and helps his movement. |
| to use less or more rein contact for the correct flexion. | | | | If you have access to mirrors then try and watch |
| Ensure that your horse is moving forward in a straight | | | | yourself ride. You will be able to identify where you are |
| line and also make sure that as you ask for the flexion | | | | going wrong and when it is going right. This will allow |
| that he does not slow down. He needs to keep | | | | you to see and feel what you and your horse is doing. |
| moving in a good rhythm. Repeat asking your horse | | | | If you don't have access to a mirror then video is |
| for flexion, making sure that you reward him for doing | | | | probably the next best thing. If it is possible get some |
| a good job and making it difficult when he does it | | | | one to video tape you so you can play it back when |
| incorrectly. Flex your horse to each side, making sure | | | | you have finished. It is important to get as many |
| that if he is stiffer on one side that you help make it | | | | different angles as possible, video from the side, as |
| easy for him. (If he's really struggling you can teach him | | | | well as from the front and back. You can even show |
| how to flex from the ground). If he is doing it easily at | | | | your instructor or a friend and ask them to help you. If |
| the walk and on a straight line, ask him to flex on a | | | | you don't have access to any of the above tools, then |
| curved line. Ensure you also ask him to flex to the | | | | try to get some one to watch you, even if it's |
| outside. With flexing your horse to the outside on a | | | | someone who knows nothing about horses. Explain |
| curved line, make sure he's staying straight through the | | | | what you are trying to do and then ask them to see if |
| body and neck. It is much harder for the horse to flex | | | | you're doing it. If you explain what you are trying to do |
| to the outside then it is to flex to the inside rein. Keep | | | | this will help you also because it is concreting in your |
| asking him to flex and then straighten, and then flex | | | | mind what needs to happen. You will develop your |
| and straighten. | | | | skills a little slower then if you could see and feel what |
| It is important that you give him a break as well. You | | | | is going on, but you will be able to do it. |