Getting my horse to bend

[Gaby&Oreo]

Hi there!

Let's cut to the chase-

I'm having trouble bending my horse.

When I ask her to bend, all she does is bite down on the bit and refuse to bend.

Any advice? I'm using a basic loose ring snaffle.

I use a portugese gag for my showjumping... she is always softer and WAY easier to bend in that.

Maybe it's a problem with her teeth?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated !!

X

 

[Flowerofthefen]

How are you asking her to bend?

 

[planete]

The problem could be anywhere in her body. Teeth plus veterinary physio?

 

[Gaby&Oreo]

How are you asking her to bend?

If I wanted an inside bend I would half halt, then squeeze with my inside leg, and then open my inside rein. x

 

[Gaby&Oreo]

The problem could be anywhere in her body. Teeth plus veterinary physio?

I'm getting the dentist to come round, but her physio says she's a bit stiff but nothing that should be restricting her x

 

[planete]

I'm getting the dentist to come round, but her physio says she's a bit stiff but nothing that should be restricting her x

Before you get the vet, could you also get yourself checked for asymmetry? I had terrible trouble getting a left bend, three instructors did not spot the problem which was me: body rotated, one weak leg, uneven weight. It was highlighted when I had a lunge lesson where the very well-schooled horse under me refused to bend left and kept pulling to the outside until I put my bent right arm behind my back.

 

[oldie48]

I think I do the same as you, upward movement of inside hand to ask for flexion at the poll and inside leg to ask the horse to bend around it. Important to let the horse keep the flexion itself so you don't restrict or ask for too much. Outside rein and leg to stop the shoulder popping out and to ask for the turn. I might have to ask for the flexion again but the ultimate aim is to be able to ask for the flexion and for horse to maintain it and stay straight, if that makes sense?? I think exercises are your best friend, lots of circles of a predetermined size so you focus on keeping the horse turning, start big and move onto smaller ones once the horse can cope, also loops and serpentines. I also like to flex the horse to the outside on both straight lines and circles, great for checking straightness and encouraging the horse to listen. Another thing you can try to asking for travers and renvers , start on the straight but you can also do it on a circle. that's a good way of checking horse is responding to your leg and helps to supple the horse. I sometimes use a tickle of the schooling whip if I'm not getting a reaction. I'm assuming there's no physical reason apart from horse is a bit stiff so carrot stretches are well worth doing on a regular basis. I hope this makes sense, I'm no expert and I'm sure others with more experience will contribute.

 

[Gaby&Oreo]

Before you get the vet, could you also get yourself checked for asymmetry? I had terrible trouble getting a left bend, three instructors did not spot the problem which was me: body rotated, one weak leg, uneven weight. It was highlighted when I had a lunge lesson where the very well-schooled horse under me refused to bend left and kept pulling to the outside until I put my bent right arm behind my back.

Thank you!

 

[Gaby&Oreo]

I think I do the same as you, upward movement of inside hand to ask for flexion at the poll and inside leg to ask the horse to bend around it. Important to let the horse keep the flexion itself so you don't restrict or ask for too much. Outside rein and leg to stop the shoulder popping out and to ask for the turn. I might have to ask for the flexion again but the ultimate aim is to be able to ask for the flexion and for horse to maintain it and stay straight, if that makes sense?? I think exercises are your best friend, lots of circles of a predetermined size so you focus on keeping the horse turning, start big and move onto smaller ones once the horse can cope, also loops and serpentines. I also like to flex the horse to the outside on both straight lines and circles, great for checking straightness and encouraging the horse to listen. Another thing you can try to asking for travers and renvers , start on the straight but you can also do it on a circle. that's a good way of checking horse is responding to your leg and helps to supple the horse. I sometimes use a tickle of the schooling whip if I'm not getting a reaction. I'm assuming there's no physical reason apart from horse is a bit stiff so carrot stretches are well worth doing on a regular basis. I hope this makes sense, I'm no expert and I'm sure others with more experience will contribute.

Thank you so much !!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

If I wanted an inside bend I would half halt, then squeeze with my inside leg, and then open my inside rein. x

Are you allowing her to bend by giving the outside rein as you ask for bend with the inside rein?

 

[Goldenstar]

Bending is about suppleness .

 

[Jules111]

In hand work really helps to give your horse the chance to do what is asked without the rider accidentally confusing things. It also helps to build core strength and flexibility. When bringing one of mine back into work I had a couple of in hand lessons and it really was a game changer for both of us.

 

[shortstuff99]

A good thing to remember is ask for bend by taking the outside shoulder round the bend not pulling the inside round. I wouldn't open your inside rein but take the outside shoulder across. This does not mean crossing the hand over but turn your body and take the shoulder with you. Hope that makes sense ?

 

[Cob Life]

Before you get the vet, could you also get yourself checked for asymmetry? I had terrible trouble getting a left bend, three instructors did not spot the problem which was me: body rotated, one weak leg, uneven weight. It was highlighted when I had a lunge lesson where the very well-schooled horse under me refused to bend left and kept pulling to the outside until I put my bent right arm behind my back.

I second this. I’m uneven and now if I have an off ride I can then feel the stiffness at the gym the next day and it’s that stiffness that makes me ride unevenly. I know the gym isn’t possible for everyone but have you tried yoga OP? There are some good videos on YouTube (yoga with Adrienne) and it may give you an idea if you are slightly uneven

I also find I had to push with my inside leg a lot more than I often think, and coming down the long sides I’m thinking “shoulder in but catch it” so I’ve got my leg on like I’m asking for a shoulder in but I’m catching it in my outside rein so I don’t actually shoulder in, if that makes sense?

 

[Sossigpoker]

If I wanted an inside bend I would half halt, then squeeze with my inside leg, and then open my inside rein. x

The bend and turn starts with the outside leg. Outside leg says move to the left (if on left rein ) and then inside leg says but bend around this leg.
If you are just using inside leg , this is asking the horse to step over to the outside, and then the inside rein just confuses matters

I would have a veterinary check and then have some lessons.
Do not for one minute think that changing the bit or any other tack will replace training or medical intervention.

 

[Cortez]

If I wanted an inside bend I would half halt, then squeeze with my inside leg, and then open my inside rein. x

I think you need some good instruction from a decent teacher. You need someone on the ground who can asses your riding and the horse, something no-one on an internet forum can do.

 

[milliepops]

threads like this are very interesting and explain why riding other peoples horses can be such a different experience to your own

 

[Cortez]

threads like this are very interesting and explain why riding other peoples horses can be such a different experience to your own

Ha ha! I was thinking the exact same thing, as in WTF?

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Might sound a bit odd, but how is her straightness? Mine found bending incredibly difficult until we’d spent a while schooling him to actually go straight rather than wiggle wherever he wanted.