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Getting "Bend" in a Horse? How?

1K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Lexiie 
#1 ·
Hello there :)

Of all the times I`ve watched horses being ridden, and especially lunged, they have they're noses pointed in towards the center of the circle and they're body is curved. How do I get my mare to do this?! X)

When I ride her in a circle, I put my right leg on her and bump-release on the right rein. Is this the correct thing to do? And when I lunge her, we`re practically in a tug-of-war!! I try to bump-release but she continues to point her nose forward. I`ve read/heard it might be because she`s unbalanced? How did this happen and how can I balance her again?

What can I do to get her to be more responsive and.."bendy"? X)

Thank you! Much appreciated :)
 
#2 ·
I taught my mare to bend around my leg.

so, you're riding, going counter-clockwise (right side to the rail)
You go to make a circle. Pull with the left rein, move your left leg back slightly and apply pressure, at the same time, move your right leg forward and apply pressure.

Going clockwise (left side to the rail)
You take all the lefts and make them rights, and all the rights are changed to lefts.

This is teaching your horse to bend around your legs. your legs are applying pressure to the front end and the back end of your horse and asking them to "bend" and move away from the pressure.
Now right away, your mare may scoot forward because of your leg aides. That's FINE! She just doesn't get it yet. Just keep her at a walk and continue your aides. She'll get it!
Just practice.

Just to make it a little easier for both of you, when you ask her to turn.

Turn left= left hand and right leg (no kicking/bumping just steady pressure)

Turn right= right hand and left leg (no kicking/bumping just steady pressure)

^Do that every time your turn, no matter what. It'll teach her that your legs don't always mean "move forward"

Good luck!!
 
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