Flexion & Bend Made Easy

Do you know the difference between flexion and bend? In this blog post, I describe the difference so you will have a good understanding of them.

I was confused about the difference between bend and flexion for a long time. I just couldn’t get my head around what the ACTUAL difference was! Weren't they the same thing?

It took me studying my books and working with some fabulous horsemen to finally GET it. Now I know it inside out and it has become one of my most valuable tools.

The ability to flex my horses has turned them from being stiff as a board to much more supple. It has helped me to get and maintain a soft contact with my horse’s mouth, to teach them to stretch into the contact and even to move their shoulders when I need to. That only lists a few of the benefits that come from being able to flex your horse at the poll.

Today’s video explains the difference between bend and flexion and then I go on and demonstrate how I teach my horses to flex.

Once you have it on the ground you can then take it to the saddle. If you can do it standing you can ask your horse to walk off and practice getting it at the walk. You will be amazed at how supple your horse will become and he will lower his head and neck as he finds some relaxation within the exercise.

Please don’t stress if it takes you a little while to work it out (or your horse for that matter) It took me a LONG time to be able to do it easily. I just kept trying – that’s the key, it will be worth it, I promise.