Suppleness & flexibility- exercises

[Peterpan132]

After finally getting myself a trailer I am starting to take my dressage diva out and about. (he's been there done it, I need to catch up!)

I have had comments from instructors and judges about working on suppleness & flexibility particularly on the left rein - now I think I know what it means, in fact I'm sure i do but if someone could please just explain it to me in simple terms and provide some advice on exercises that would help improve him.
i also need to improve his balance, so have been working on transitions - again is this correct and and any other exercises that could help?

Thank you

 

[be positive]

If he is not balanced he will find it harder to relax and be supple and flexible so you are starting the right way, encourage him to work forward in a rhythm and be straight, once he can carry himself the suppleness will follow more easily.

Lots of transitions, leg yielding, spiraling in and out on a circle, serpentines etc etc, all will help with his balance and get him carrying himself and improve his flexibility. Get him stretching down and once he can do this confidently ask for flexion left or right, this can really help get them softer and can also be done on a short rein, counter flexions are useful but the horse does need to be balanced otherwise they can cause loss of balance and have a negative effect.
Work on the good rein as much as the bad one, the better they are on the good one the better they usually become on the worse one, using counter flexion on the right rein will make the left side stretch and become more supple, unless there is an underlying issue which needs addressing.