Outline & bend

[Cuttle]

Hey everyone!
Recently, at my RS i had a new instructor who was great but kept telling me to get an inside bend when working the horse in an outline and going straight (ie around the long side of the arena).
I was just wondering if this was correct and why do it as i'm a little confuzzled! :confused:
Thanks!

[xloopylozzax]

yes it is correct
you should be able to see the horses eye slightly on the inside rein
dont really know why you do it though sorry
but i do

[cvb]

Hey everyone!
Recently, at my RS i had a new instructor who was great but kept telling me to get an inside bend when working the horse in an outline and going straight (ie around the long side of the arena).
I was just wondering if this was correct and why do it as i'm a little confuzzled! :confused:
Thanks!

It could be for a number of reasons. Many instructors teach on the basis of inside hand into outside leg the whole time (not just when asking for a bend). Sometimes it may be necessary to exaggerate those aids (to the point of having a slight bend) to get the horse to soften.

She may be adjusting for a straightness issue

It could be that in guiding the the horse along the longside you have slightly too much outside rein and this is her way of changing your habit ?

etc etc

but basically you need to ask *her* ;)

[jumpjaky]

There are many reasons why she might do this. Make horse suppler and teach you.
What i do is keep head on the bit always and a little bit of bend round corners and on circles

[Cuttle]

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely remember to ask next time i ride :)