Flexion and Bend Are Not Created or Executed Equally.
Let’s start with flexion. Flexion is the bend from the poll to the wither. Flexion is how we supple the horse to get ready for the bend. When traveling in a direction, let’s say to the right, the top of the poll to the first vertebrae is slightly curved or flexed to the right. Notice that I said the poll is flexed, not the neck.
Inside Let to Outside Rein
You will have contact with your inside leg on the horse; therefore, you should feel the horse’s right hind leg (if moving to the right) engaged, meaning a solid push from the right hind. You will also feel a more substantial contact on the left rein. This is called riding from the inside leg to the outside rein.
Exercise One
But how is this accomplished? The goal is not to get your horse on the bit. Instead, it is fostering self-carriage and submission to aids. Here is an exercise to practice. You can do this at a halt, but if you prefer, or your horse is better moving, walk.
Sit balanced with equal pressure on the reins.
Make sure there is a straight line from the bit through the rein to your hands and elbows.
Point your thumbs toward the bit and keep your hands about 2-3 inches above the neck.
Keep your seat still while moving your lower back only.
Imagine a line from your horse’s shoulders down his neck and passed his head like a corridor.
Ask your horse to gently turn his head until the nose touches the imaginary wall.
You should see a slight gap between your horse’s neck and rein.
The outside rein should now be against the neck.
Now try that on the other side as well. Can you see and feel the difference? It will take some practice for you and the horse to feel the movement correctly so that the neck is not bending but rather the poll bends. If you are walking and doing this exercise, you will feel the hind leg of direction engage and reach under you more. It will take some time before your horse is relaxed doing this. It takes practice. Keep yourself relaxed and breathing with each movement.
Bend
Now the bend. The bend is a change of position in the horse’s body from head to tail. We see the bend in the horse’s loin area just behind the saddle. If you only ask for a bend in the neck, the shoulder will be pushed out, and it will look like your horse is leaning in. We don’t want that.
Exercise Two
Let’s do an exercise to create the bend. First, keep reins the same length. Keep your arms from bending.
It will help if you sit so that your outside hip and shoulder are slightly forward.
The inside or direct rein is used to create flexion at the poll.
Use the outside rein to keep your horse’s neck centered. This will keep the outer shoulder on the circle or straight line as you move forward.
Use your outside leg to prevent the hind end from swinging outside.
Keep your inside leg at the girth, like a post. This allows your horse to bend around your leg while preventing leaning.
When your horse is bent correctly, you will feel the inside hind leg become engaged and reach under you as you ride. You will also feel your horse push on your outside rein and leg. Remember to keep your horse’s neck between the shoulders, not bent. Use the hind end to create the bend.
Exercise Three
To teach and practice bending, I like to do the spiral exercise.
Start at a jog in a 20-meter circle.
Shift your weight slightly to the inside seat bone but keep your legs extended with equal pressure in the stirrups.
Keep your inside leg at the girth and your outside leg slightly behind the girth.
Think about using your legs, not your reins, to move the horse into a smaller circle.
Do this gradually and only to a point where your horse does not lose momentum.
Do not turn the neck. Instead, use your legs and the flexion exercise you did earlier.
When you reach a point, you will feel your horse lose rhythm. That is when you spiral back out. Do this a few times each way. As you practice, you will notice you can get to a smaller circle, and your horse will be comfortable with the bend from the hind end, not the neck.
Advanced Moves
Once you accomplish the bend on the circle, you can add serpentines and a half circle to your accomplishments. Flexion and bend are both an essential part of riding in western dressage (or any discipline, really). You may read or hear “the bend in the corner” or “bend on the circle.” Learning these techniques will go a long way to help you, and your horse gain suppleness, control, and mastery at any level and in any discipline.
These actions can be confusing but are not complicated. However, you have to be in control of your own body and your horse’s body when executing these maneuvers. Remember that when you are balanced, your horse is balanced. A balanced horse can flex, make turns, and bends very easily.
Until next time. Ride on and enjoy!!
Want to learn more? See my articles in the Horseman’s Corral.https://issuu.com/horsemenscorral/docs/horsemen_s_corral_november_2022/50
