Getting my mare to flex?

Question

when I ride I have some trouble getting Amanda to flex I will try to bend her neck/head around to my leg but she only turns around Last year she would flex any way that you would want her to. She will do her headset which makes her flex at the poll since she is a Morgan. do you know any exercises to help us getting flexing. she will flex while riding a circle but not when we are on the rail or in the center of the arena. She will also flex while we are on the ground. anything will help thanks

Answer 1

on the ground in a halter and lead, use a carrot to lure her to flex her neck to her side. the instant she touches her side let loose of the lead rope and feed her the carrot once she stands regular. dont give her the carrot while she is still flexing.

move to having the bridle on and, from the ground, put direct pressure on one side of the rein. she will most likely try to turn. but the second she starts to bend her neck reward her by releasing the pressure. then make her bend farther and farther until she gets to her side & reward her again.

soon move to her back and do the same thing. teach one side at a time.

this is wat i did and my gelding flexes on the ground and on his back.

Answer 2

just work on it. do tight turns and things that will make her flex. but if that doesn't work i would get a massage person out there and get like 5 massages for her over a period of time. it could be that she just has built up stress from just doing stuff that is what i would do. good luck with her. Sabrina

i know of a massage person if you need one. but i am in California

Answer 3

Fishmom's answer is what I would say.  Ask, hold until you get a response and as soon as you get a response -no matter how small - give (release) to her.  She will gradually give more but you have to give to her each time. Then she will understand what you want.  If she is stiff on one side a chiropractor told me to use carrots. Horses will bend in kind of contortions to get a carrot. Just don't give them the carrot until they get reach far enough for it.

Answer 4

Just work on it when you're on her at a stand. Gently keep the pressure on until she goes soft. It doesn't matter if she pivots or stands there. Reward when she yields her neck to you.

Answer 5

get her into a VERY foreward walk, ask her to bend, keeping the inside leg on to keep her on the rail, and holding the outside rein a little to prevent her from turning in.  

this can be done at the walk, trot, and canter (of your brave, it tends to un balance them a little) but is best to start at the walk to get the feel for it.