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Achieve Suppleness While Riding

Cinch Magazine

When circling, transitions, and half halts fail to gain any form of suppleness, and you end pleading with your horse to bend softly at the poll and round to your aids, you know you need to resort to other options! Here are a few tips to consider when aiming for a supple horse:

1. Simple is sometimes better when it comes to riding. A harsh bit or complicated head-setting device might force your horse into rounding and flexing at the poll- but does it truly achieve suppleness? Sometimes suppleness becomes more of an illusion than reality. A knowledgeable rider will instantly know when a horse is truly supple and submissive. Ensure that if you do decide to use equipment that it is adjusted so as not to cause any pain and a zone where the horse can always go back to a natural head carriage.

2. Remember pilot errors tend to be the number one factor in whether your horse can achieve suppleness. If a rider becomes tense, stiff or is lopsided in the saddle, the horse will not be able to carry himself efficiently- making it very hard to become supple! Learn to feel when your horse is straight and his hips and shoulders are in line. Riding in an arena with your eyes closed can often help (do this with caution). When you are able to tell which legs are on the ground, you will be able to interpret much more subtle changes in your horse's gaits and carriage. This allows you to defuse tension in your horse as soon as it becomes evident. If you don't have one, get a riding instructor! Every rider needs one at certain points of their riding career to pin-point problems and help determine what damage you may be inadvertantly causing!

3. Physical causes can prevent a horse from softening and becoming submissive to your aids. If your horse seems stiff he may actually be protecting himself from discomfort. Chronic low-level lameness may not become apparent until softening exercises are performed. If in doubt, contact your veterinarian in order to perform lameness tests or target other potential trouble.

4. Sometimes it's best to scrap your schedule. Horses will overcome stiffness at different stages with many variables as factors- age, conformation, previous training, etc. Praise and celebrate the smallest of achievements and overtime, assuming there are no physical problems, you will get there!