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Flexing

971 views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  rosie756 
#1 ·
So, my horse who I have now been riding since April that I broke myself has been having a bit of an issue flexing. It's not the fact he can't flex, it's just that he seems unwilling to when I'm in the saddle.

When on the ground, with a halter or bridle, I ask for a flex, he gives his head right to me no issues. When I get in the saddle, he'll flex one side but then when I ask for the other he'd rather lean against my hand. He doesn't pull on me or anything, he just leans lightly on it. I have changed bits from a O ring snaffle to a full cheek snaffle, which has helped with getting him to flex at least once, but to one side. It doesn't matter which side I do, I can get him to flex once and then he'll just lean to my hand.

For example, I can first flex him to the left, he gives right to my knee, no hesitation and with just a little bit of a tap on the reins. If I go to flex to the right afterwards, he just leans against my hand. The same happens if I ask to flex to the right first. As I previously said, he'll flex both ways from the ground with a halter or bridle on, it's just in the saddle doing the opposite way. I was curious if anyone had any tips on what they'd do?
 
#2 ·
First off, to flex properly a horse shouldn't be coming all the way around to your knee. That will cause the head to twist and for the horse to put more weight on the forehand, eventually this will lead to steering problems and worse. This could also be a reason he doesn't want to flex under saddle, that position is not comfortable.

When you ask him to flex, bring your hand out to the side to guide his nose and first offer a nice soft feel. Since he knows how to flex, you can then very lightly bump on that rein so that he won't be included to lean on it. As soon as he gives even a fraction, release. Repeat until he is nice and soft.
 
#4 ·
Heh... That's what I normally try to do, but maybe if I keep at it he'll give eventually, at least I hope he will. And thanks for telling me about flexing all the way to my knee, definitely didn't know that.

How often and how many times do you flex him? Do you release immediately when he flexes? Why do you feel you need to flex him?
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I typically flex him only a few times, once when I get on, and one or two times when I get off or if he's being naughty. I don't do it a lot since he'd get bored with me real fast if I did it all the time. I do give an instant release when he gives his head to me. I normally flex him to get him listening to me at the start of the ride, and to loosen his neck up a bit. Plus if he's being naughty I stop him and flex him and he comes back and starts listening to what I'm telling him.
 
#3 ·
How often and how many times do you flex him? Do you release immediately when he flexes? Why do you feel you need to flex him?
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#5 ·
Oh, Another thing to consider!

When you flex him, you really need to make sure your hand is staying still. Many, many people will accidentally move their hand as their horse gives to them without realizing this. Over time, your horse will be less inclined to try as they aren't getting a release. If you need to brace your arm up to your elbow ( while your forearm and hand remains 'free'), or put your hand on your leg to keep your hand still, do it.

When you ask a horse to flex you also need to make sure you aren't raising your hand a lot or crossing your hand over the withers, both of these will cause the head to twist.

This thread has my post about teaching a horse to flex and how to identify if a horse if flexing properly or not: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/heaviness-493505/
 
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