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  Discussion on Flex versus bend
Author Message
Member:
maggienm

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 4:43 pm:

Since it is snowing again and minus cold with a wind blowing I am sitting at home going through old magazines and ran across an article that made me wonder.
The article makes a distinction between flexion(suppleness of the poll) and bending(nose/neck turning left or right).

I am trying to think thru how I would cue to ask for one or the other.
You wouldn't really would you?
Flexion of the poll comes gradually as the horse strengthens and becomes soft, bending is asked for with a squeeze/pulse of the rein. the degree being dependant on what is required for the movement.
Methinks maybe the winter is jsut too long this year.
Member:
erika

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 6:38 pm:

Crud Lori, I'm stuck in a snowstorm too. Nothin' to do but surf the 'net...

There are some accomplished trainers and dressage riders here that could probably explain better than I, but as I understand it, first the horse learns to give to the pressure of one rein (bending the neck to release the pressure). Once this is second nature he learns to give to the pressure of both reins (flexion). The idea is that he learns relief by going with the pressure no matter which rein, or how many.

All this is PART of collection, but by no means is a flexed neck a sole indicator of collection.
Member:
amara

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 9:06 pm:

gee, and the "experts" are saying this is the warmest winter on record!!!

bending is a total body movement, starting from the hind end as the horse steps under the body... the degree of bend in the neck should equal the bend in the back.. if you have one without the other you do not have bend... its asked from the leg and gathered in the seat and supported by the hands...

i've always used the term flexion to denote that movement of the neck that does not include proper movement of the rest of the spine, but of course not everyone uses the same terminology...

since its a release of the topline that encourages collection i am not quite sure about their use of flexion... the softness that comes from the jaw that allows the neck to "flex" in described manner is the easiest of things to get.. you can use basic or bending (depending on what terminology you want to use) to get the horse to loosen up some... its a very basic start to getting a horse on the bit (tho not the only means to that end)...

the "flexion" of the neck is the last thing i look at in judging an indication of collection, since its by far the least accurate indicator of real collection
Member:
maggienm

Posted on Friday, Mar 16, 2007 - 11:51 pm:

thanks guys, I got sick of the house, went to the arena and rode anyway. Mostly walk, but I am learning through this winter that never ends that I can accomplish quite a bit just at a good rhythmic walk.

Erika, I start that way too.
I think it was just the article that confused me.
As I was riding I realized that I call 'flex, giving to the bit, and bend, I call bend.
Member:
amara

Posted on Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 - 10:18 am:

i once went a whole month riding a horse only at the walk-bareback at that... she was such a lazy mare with very limited impulsion at any gait... i worked her walk and got her to where she had a really nice forward rhythmic walk all the time... and the first time i asked her to trot after that month it was totally different... it was like a different horse after that....

so keep working that walk!! (and keep hope that winter will eventually end...(me, i need to mow my lawn, again!))
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