Which one please help?!?

Question

Do you teach a horse to bend OR does it come naturally with having the horse in a frame and balanced etc.????????

Answer 1

for some it come naturally but some u have to teach to bend. :]

Answer 2

A horse cannot be in an outline if it does not bend, simple as. Longitudal and latitudal flexion, along with straightness make up the groundwork for a good outline. You cannot have an outline without all of these things, so basically the answer to your question is "neither - your horse cannot be balanced in an outline if it cannot/does not bend"

ADD: Abi M is referring to "tracking up" (back feet landing in the front imprints) but she is misguided when she says to pull the rein you want to bend. The aids come from the seat and legs, with the hands playing a small part. A truly well schooled horse will bend from aids given by the seat and legs, with no input from the hands.

Answer 3

To help your horse to bend, try doing some patterns with her....using your legs and seat and direct reining to guide her along.  Some are:

~figure 8's

~serpentines

~circling in corners of the ring or while on the straight away..

Horses have to have suppleness to turn and bend and should "wrap" around your leg.

I spend many a part of a lesson or even after while just walking around turning and circling.  Just start off at a walk then trotting or cantering.  It is alot of fun and adds a little diversity to the lesson.

Hope this helps!!  I'll see if I can find some pic's and edit!!

***EDIT***

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bielikov/dres...

http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/equit...

Answer 4

u have to teach them

Answer 5

You definitely have to teach a horse to bend.  On a small scale it comes naturally... For example, it's easier for a horse to stay balanced if they are bent to the inside than the outside.  However, the degree to which you'll need your horse to bend is definitely something that is trained.  Practical Horseman is a great resource for simple training tips and techniques.  

Answer 6

You kinda have to ease the horse into bending. My ponies back feet don't go into its front feets hoof prints like they're supposed to so i have to continuously bend to the inside. But trie to get him on the bit then pull light ly on whichever riegn you wanna bend to. Hope this helps

Answer 7

You teach a horse to bend. Being balanced makes it easier for him to bend, but it is still work, and he won't volunteer it unless asked/required.