Lateral flexion under saddle is the foundation for every maneuver we need our horses to do. It's also the basis for being safe with horses and maintaining control in unexpected and dangerous situations.
Lateral flexion is the basis for vertical flexion and the development of collection.
- Amateur Riders tend to develop their horses in a backwards fashion by forcing a headset in an attempt to get vertical flexion without first developing soft lateral flexion This is called riding the horse from front to back.
- Expert Horsemen do things differently, first developing lateral flexion to create softness and suppleness in the horse and then developing collection by working the horse from the hindquarters forward. Experts ride their horses from back to front.
Developing collection with softness and suppleness is a delicate matter. Take the time it takes. Don't get ahead of yourself. Maybe you'll never get the opportunity to collect your horse properly. After all, Art is long and Life is short. That's no excuse to try and rush the process. Do it properly anyway.
Lateral flexion is the foundation. We must obtain that first. You will be pleasantly surprised by the fact that lateral flexion has far more benefits than just the foundation for collection.
We begin lateral flexion by bending the horse's neck:
- The horse should be fitted in a snaffle bit.
- Dispense with all gadgets - no tie-downs, no draw reins, balancing reins, rhythm ropes, nose bands, or any of that nonsense. Just a simple snaffle bit bridle.
- We will ask the horse to bring his nose around to the side, first to the right and then to the left. Do not drag your horse's head around. He must bend it on his own. Apply pressure with one rein with the other rein entirely slack and wait for the horse to move his head. The instant he tries to move in the right direction, release. Do Not Drag His Head To Your Knee! After you have released you can ask again, but he must bend his head on his own.
When done correctly, the horse will bend to both sides equally well, by merely feeling the slack come out of the rein. Always strive to do less to get this done. If your horse braces up, don't pull harder! Wait. Wait. And wait some more. When he tries - release. He does not have to do it, he only has to try. Release for the try.
This is one exercise you cannot possibly overdo. It's like changing the oil in your car. You just can't do it too much. Flex your horse often.
When your horse is bending well, you can add disengaging the hindquarters, but that is another article....
Duane Isaacson - Duane Isaacson is co-founder, clinician, horsemanship instructor and horse trainer for Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue in Eureka, ...
