Bending round the inside leg

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Toby773

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Any tips on how to help? Despite having my inside leg "well on" and bang on the girth (outside leg a little back) my horse just won't bend through the ribs. She has been checked physically + teeth + bit + saddle - all 110%. We do loads of circles, leg yield, shoulder in, half pass, etc. but she just won't flex sufficiently. If I get a little too forceful, then she just hollows! HELP
 
Surely you can't be doing shoulder in, leg yielding & half passes that well/correct if you can't get your horse to bend round your inside leg?!
 
You could try working her from the ground to get her to bend, then you can see exactly what she is or isnt doing. Or get someone to help you. If you watch her you can acually see what she is finding difficult and then combine that with your feel when on board. Try turns on the forehand, leg yield, etc in hand on both reins and try to work out where the resistance is starting from.
 
Can you expand a bit on why you think she is not bending sufficiently. Its hard visualise a horse being able to do half pass without being somewhat curved in its frame or it would be doing a leg yield. Have you had dressage judge comments that have highlighted this and what did they say. Might help with the advice given.
 
The judges' comments are not enough bend round the inside leg. And my trainer is always saying "more bend" - yes but how? "More inside leg" -is the response. Well it's not working!
Ok, so a change of trainer, but they seem few and far between in the Huntingdon area - unless you guys can suggest anyone.
The mare just seem reluctant to allow me to create the correct amounf of bend; she prefers to try and keep her body too straight.
She doesn't really like being long-reined so groundwork is a bit tricky.
 
Have you tried when in the stable getting her to bend her head round to her saddle on both sides and also down to her knees, floor and between her front legs all in pursuit of a piece of carrot or any favourite titbit? Repeat these exercises several times morning and night. Doing this regularly will soften her neck and loosen her shoulders making her work easier.
It sounds like Pilates for horses - gentle but effective!
Good luck
 
I'm sorry I agree with the others, I can't visualise how you can possibly do shoulder in and half pass properly without bend - or even a small circle for that matter. Surely getting a soft bend through the body is one of the very basics of schooling?

You say she doesn't bend - what does she do when you ask her to bend? Bend through her neck not her body, tilt her head, ignore your inside rein, lean into your leg, what....? How is the rest of her schooling?

More info needed... I'm puzzled
confused.gif
 
i agree with many of the other comments, not sure how she can performing those movements without bend. groundwork is always a great idea, you could try lungeing using a shoulder stick to push her out where she needs to bend, but i think your main priority may be tryin to use another instructor, check the bhs website for instructors in your area or british dressage for trainers in you area. what is she like if someone else is riding her? have you ever seen her ridden by anyone else?
 
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