Suppleness through Flexion and Bend (DVD)

No circle, no volte, not even a corner is ridden without flexion and bend. Why? Firstly, by using a combination of both, longitudinal bending increases suppleness from nose to tail and helps correct a horse's natural crookedness. Secondly, it makes it possible for the horse to stay balanced through turns when carrying a rider. In turn it reduces the loading of the inside foreleg, as well as working his neck and body muscles by alternating between stretching and contracting. Therefore, bending work has an incredible gymnasticizing effect and plays a very important role in maintaining soundness. Understand and learn:

• How you can apply your aids
• Why young horses must be introduced to the concept of flexion and bend
• The effect the flexion and bend aids have
• What happens in the horse's body when flexing and bending
• What flexion and bend have to do with the diagonal aids
• What you can do when it doesn't all go to plan