Training a Horse to Bend to the Inside

[EquestrianRider]

The horse I ride in lessons is still a bit green, and my instructor wants me to start working on getting him round and getting a bend to the inside with him. I was wondering if anyone could give any tips to me. I ask for a bend to the inside by squeezing the inside rein, and applying pressure with my inside leg, asking him to bend around it... I also have to keep a good feel of the outside rein, because he always starts moving off of the rail when I do this- I guess he's not sure of what I'm asking him to do.

Does anyone have any tips that can help me on how to teach him to be more round, and to get him to bend to the inside (without having him come off the rail!- I keep my inside leg on him, and I keep the outside rein checking him to keep him on the rail, but he still seems to wander off the rail).

All tips are appreciated! Thank you.:)

[crazystevie]

Lots of circles, bends, serpentines, and 5m loops will all help, and make sure your hands and legs, are all asking for the bend, and supporting him.

Starting exercises such as leg yielding would be very beneficial in encouraging bend, as well as helping to egage the hindlegs more, and so encourage more roundness.

Another exercise is to pop him on a 20m circle in trot, and leg yield into a 15m circle, and leg yield back out again.

Teaching him shoulder-in will definately help the bend, as it more or less exaggerates your inside bend. Again it will also help with your engagement and roundness.


As for the outside rein, you need it there to support him.

On a circle, in trot probably would be easiest, put your inside leg on the girth, and your outside slightly behind(but doing nothing). Push your inside leg into your outside hand more or less - ride from leg to hand - . Your outside hand is there for support. Whilst doing this, gently sponge the inside rein, this will help to create roundness as well as bend.

[Wally]

What crazystive says! ;)

[EquestrianRider]

Thanks for the great help!:)

[arabianbaby]

if he's green and doesn't know what you're asking.. it may help to start with work on the ground. funny as this sounds start with just PUSHING his nose away from you from the opposite side while gently pulling across on the inside rein. then move to the inside and pull on the rein while pulling his nose around. gradually move the rein up to where you would hold it when riding and only help him with your free hand if he needs it.
then from the saddle do the same thing at a halt so he understands what you want when you ask in different gaits.
this has made a huge difference with mine who really didn't "get" what he was supposed to be doing.. and made him super light. :)

[Susara]

I've been told to open my inside hand to make it easier for a green horse to understand what you want. With 'open your hand' I mean move your inside hand to the side, moving the rein away from his neck. In fact, opening the rein would describe the action better than opening the hand.

Also remember to give with the outside rein the moment you feel him bending to the inside; otherwise the outside rein keeps his head straight.

I've also found that sometimes horses really bend easier after they've been worked for 20 mins or so; they're just warmer and more flexible.