Lateral Flexion

When you talk "lateral flexion", what do you think about?

The concept of "less is more" does not apply what-so-ever to this step in training. Doesn't matter the age, doesn't matter the shape, doesn't matter the attitude or temperament, doesn't matter bit or halter, or wether you ride your horse or take them for walks. Working on your horse's lateral flexion can be helpful in all ways. It's good for your animal, and your sense of peace that when you ask him to be supple, he complies and gives you his head, his mind, his trust.

First thought in the natural horsemanship world is the infamous "one-rein stop". Your horse gets quick or spooks, you slide your hand down one-side of the rein, pull his nose to your foot, throws him off balance, and disengages his hind-end. Bam, your off again with your horse's head on straight. Yes, it won't happen over night BUT I promise that when you do it right, they'll start to feel your hand slide and they'll start to slow, and think. Horses are creatures of habit, they learn cues like Pavlov's dogs. Ring a bell, they'll start to drool (yes, that's dogs, but Brantley drools too!). One-rein stop is an emergency brake but you need to introduce it to your horse with some give and take. It's all in timing!

Stand on the side of your horse, slide your hand down your lead (rope halters work the best for this because there is more feel, you can also use a bridle with a bit but remember, TIMING TIMING TIMING), put pressure on the lead and wait for some give. Most horses at first will put their nose out to resist. Hold until you get a little from them and release. Give them a moment and do it again. First you'll wait for them to drop their head and give to your pressure, then they'll start to tip their nose to the side you're asking for, and then finally they'll reach to you. A lot of people use cookies for this and that's great for stretching, but you're not teaching them to be supple to your hand. A good pat or face rub is good enough of a reward AFTER the release. Your release is key. After you do this a few times, switch sides (you own one horse, you actually have two!). Don't ask for too much, just a little at a time. They'll learn faster that way. Crayons before permanent markers.

Nothing changes when you're in the saddle with your bit. Slide your hand down, ask to tip his nose, and slowly work your way to your toe! Then switch sides. Release and timing is key, you can't stress that enough. Every time I mount a horse (okay, not Pretty because... I slack with her), I flex them side to side, then ask them to drop their head - like you're trying to collect them (vertical flexion). Pressure... Release... Pressure... Release. When teaching your stop take a few steps at the walk, ask them to halt, flex side to side, then walk on. Repetition, repetition, repetition. They'll start to associate the two with halting. Then you can work up to a jog, or trot. Emergency brakes!!!

So this lateral flexion? Not just for your brakes (as I mentioned before). It helps you gain control, and helps your horse learn to give to pressure instead of fight it. All they want is a release. A lot of time when asking to slow down or halt, we use both reins which works for some horses, but if your horse tends to stick is nose out or flip up their head? Try to sit back and use one rein, move them off your leg, or work on a one-rein stop.

If this helps anyone let me know! I wish I could put up a video but this was just a thought after working with Brantley today. Lateral flexion I think will definitely be a huge part of his training and him trusting me. It's like a reset button for when you get stressed or frustrated. It's always said if you get frustrated on your horse, don't stop, keep going. But sometimes you just need to stop. FLEX YOUR PONY! It keeps their mind going. Flex, then change direction even. Check out one of Kate's posts about her "reset button". Giving to pressure is a good start to teaching your horse anything.

P.S. A good tip on this is don't do side-to-side. Make it random - left, right, right, right, left, left, left, right, left... etc - That way they don't memorize the pattern :)