Who Has Tried This Training Technique?

Sonseeahray's_girl · 11-16-2006, 02:54 PM

Here's a link to a CA article that I found very interesting and wanted to try with my horse:

http://www.downunderhorsemanship.com...teralflex.html

I found this link in another posting thread. I am trying to find that ever elusive way to teach my horse true collection and vertical flexion. This article seemed to make sense to me, so I decided to try it yesterday. Things went well, but I have some questions, and since I can't ask CA himself, you all are the next best thing!

When I'm in the process of making him turn small circles, do I hold my direct reining hand to my hip at the top of my thigh, or at the side of my hip, closer to my behind? And when I release to my knee, again, is it to the top of my knee or to the side?

Also, in the article, it seems to indicate that when he softens and flexes, that I release both my hand and my inside leg...but this doesn't make sense to me. Why would he keep turning such a small circle if I didn't keep my inside leg on him? After all, if he's listening to leg cues, then when he's not getting a leg cue, then he would stop doing what your leg was asking right?

Has anyone done this exercise and with what results?

cascy · 11-16-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonseeahray's_girl

Also, in the article, it seems to indicate that when he softens and flexes, that I release both my hand and my inside leg...but this doesn't make sense to me. Why would he keep turning such a small circle if I didn't keep my inside leg on him? After all, if he's listening to leg cues, then when he's not getting a leg cue, then he would stop doing what your leg was asking right?

Has anyone done this exercise and with what results?

When he does what you want you do release pressure, but the point behind it all is he should keep doing whatever it is you want him to do until you cue him to stop. Just like teaching one to stay with a trot until you tell him to break that gait. You hold pressure with you legs and seat until he moves into a trot. As soon as he trots you release pressure... Some will speed up or slow down in which case you start over until he keeps trotting until you cue him to do something else...

Does that make any sense at all about why he would keep doing small circles? He should keep doing them until you cue him to stop. The initial leg cue is just to get him started

gryffindobe · 11-16-2006, 05:43 PM

Have you done the lateral flexions at a stand still all ready? I found it easiest to get the horse used to doing those first. After he is nice and responsive to those, then start using the same side leg to get him to yield the hindquarters.
After this is mastered, move on to the flexed, small circles. CA also demonstrates an exercise on one of his DVDs where you ask the horse to yield the hindquarters (turn on the hind), then do the small circle while flexing, then repeating the whole thing again.

Clear as mud?

Sonseeahray's_girl · 11-16-2006, 06:06 PM

Okay, I will release the leg too. We've only done this once together, and I have already gotten him doing a small circle on a loose rein with no leg, going to the left (his soft side). He's not really resistant...I'm sure if I do it right, I can get him going well on both sides. It's just hard to get that immediate release!

He will flex very nicely, and does a great hindquarter yield.

Any advice on my other question about my hand placement?

**Range** · 11-17-2006, 07:12 AM

When I do this exercise, I slide my reins up my thigh to my hip. Then, I use my thigh as a guide for releasing. I can slide up and down my thigh towards my hip and then give by releasing back towards my knee. Also, if I have horse that doesn't want to give and I get tired, I can hook my thumb on my belt loop!

**gbarmranch** · 11-17-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Range

When I do this exercise, I slide my reins up my thigh to my hip. Then, I use my thigh as a guide for releasing. I can slide up and down my thigh towards my hip and then give by releasing back towards my knee. Also, if I have horse that doesn't want to give and I get tired, I can hook my thumb on my belt loop!

Wow, you do it just like me.. and it works great.

I also do a lot of ground flexing too before hand...

Sonseeahray's_girl · 11-18-2006, 07:38 PM

UPDATE!!

Okay, I did things the correct way this time, and things went so so well! I can now get him to do small circles both to the left and right on a loose rein with no leg, nice bending of the ribcage, and his head flexed far enough around that I can clearly see the side of his face!

That horse of mine is so darned smart!

Also, he's carrying his head nice and low at a walk now, and we haven't even gotten to that part of the training yet! He even carried his head low and relaxed when road riding and riding down some new and scary trails today! Oh exciting!

11-16-2006, 02:54 PM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,286	Who Has Tried This Training Technique? Here's a link to a CA article that I found very interesting and wanted to try with my horse: http://www.downunderhorsemanship.com...teralflex.html I found this link in another posting thread. I am trying to find that ever elusive way to teach my horse true collection and vertical flexion. This article seemed to make sense to me, so I decided to try it yesterday. Things went well, but I have some questions, and since I can't ask CA himself, you all are the next best thing! When I'm in the process of making him turn small circles, do I hold my direct reining hand to my hip at the top of my thigh, or at the side of my hip, closer to my behind? And when I release to my knee, again, is it to the top of my knee or to the side? Also, in the article, it seems to indicate that when he softens and flexes, that I release both my hand and my inside leg...but this doesn't make sense to me. Why would he keep turning such a small circle if I didn't keep my inside leg on him? After all, if he's listening to leg cues, then when he's not getting a leg cue, then he would stop doing what your leg was asking right? Has anyone done this exercise and with what results? __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

11-16-2006, 05:43 PM
gryffindobe Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Harrisburg, NC USA Posts: 35	Have you done the lateral flexions at a stand still all ready? I found it easiest to get the horse used to doing those first. After he is nice and responsive to those, then start using the same side leg to get him to yield the hindquarters. After this is mastered, move on to the flexed, small circles. CA also demonstrates an exercise on one of his DVDs where you ask the horse to yield the hindquarters (turn on the hind), then do the small circle while flexing, then repeating the whole thing again. Clear as mud? __________________ Judi--proud owner of Kha-Li...arabian Navarre...friesian/racking horse Lyric...friesian/quarab The Art of Riding: Keeping the horse between you and the ground.

11-16-2006, 06:06 PM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,286	Okay, I will release the leg too. We've only done this once together, and I have already gotten him doing a small circle on a loose rein with no leg, going to the left (his soft side). He's not really resistant...I'm sure if I do it right, I can get him going well on both sides. It's just hard to get that immediate release! He will flex very nicely, and does a great hindquarter yield. Any advice on my other question about my hand placement? __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

11-17-2006, 07:12 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	hands When I do this exercise, I slide my reins up my thigh to my hip. Then, I use my thigh as a guide for releasing. I can slide up and down my thigh towards my hip and then give by releasing back towards my knee. Also, if I have horse that doesn't want to give and I get tired, I can hook my thumb on my belt loop! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

11-18-2006, 07:38 PM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,286	UPDATE!! Okay, I did things the correct way this time, and things went so so well! I can now get him to do small circles both to the left and right on a loose rein with no leg, nice bending of the ribcage, and his head flexed far enough around that I can clearly see the side of his face! That horse of mine is so darned smart! Also, he's carrying his head nice and low at a walk now, and we haven't even gotten to that part of the training yet! He even carried his head low and relaxed when road riding and riding down some new and scary trails today! Oh exciting! __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.