Tammy Williams riding Henri Dos Pinhais
horse's body, nose to tail. The mistake often
made is of too much pull on the inside rein from
the rider which causes the haunches to fall out,
and thus, the haunch is no longer on the same
track as the front end.
So let's talk briefly about the difference
between bend/flexion and turn.
Bend and flexion are created by the inside aids.
The rider's inside seat bone and active inside
leg encourage the horse to engage his
midsection and “wrap” the ribcage around the
inside leg. The inside rein signals the poll to flex
laterally. You should be able to bend/flex your
horse while he maintains a straight line. If your
horse tries to turn when you ask for bend/
flexion, then he misunderstands your inside
aids.
Bend and flexion do not equal turn. It is not until
you ask with your outside aids that your horse
should turn. Your outside rein will control the
shoulder, and your outside leg will control the
haunches and cue the horse for the turn. When
creating flexion in the poll, you want to see the
corner of your horse’s eye. If you see more of
the face, then you have over-bent the horse in
the neck. Remember, bend is the alignment of
the whole body, not just the head and neck.
Also keep in mind that the amount of bend you
create in your horse needs to correspond to the
amount of arc on the line you are traveling. For
example, a 20-meter circle has far less bend
than a 10-meter circle. The same goes for these
curves through the Slalom. A highly-supple
horse that is very engaged and uphill can ride
this on a very shallow line, versus a young horse
who makes larger, more rounded, turns
because he may be a little on the forehand or
moving a little too fast. The amount of bend
they show will be a little different, but should
still be appropriate to their line of travel.
Once you have achieved proper bend/flexion
and can cue from the outside aids for turn, you
must now think of the change of bend.
For change of bend to happen smoothly,
without resistance, make sure you are thinking
of a stride of straightness prior to bending/
flexing to the new side. When teaching this, do
not ride change of bend as left, right, left. Ride
change of bend as left, straight, right, straight,
left... Remember, the horse's ribcage is
positioned on an arc. The ribcage must come to
the center, then be positioned to the other side.
This is done by asking at the proper moment,
coinciding with the horse’s stride. The stride of
straightness accompanied by a half halt will
also help your horse to rebalance and be
prepared to switch to the new bend.
This proper execution of bend/flexion and change of bend is especially important as you move up into the canter work. If the horse is falling somewhere in a part of his body as you execute bend/flexion to change of bend, then he will not be properly aligned in his body as you ask for lead changes. The horse must bend/flex, and remain uphill. The moment of straightness, which becomes a very brief momentary realignment of the body in a more experienced horse, will maintain the uphill balance. If they are thinking turn as you bend/flex, then they will likely perform the change poorly because their body is misaligned.
Suggestions on what riders can work on at home to improve this obstacle
Be aware of your own position. As riders, we too, have a strong side and a weak side. Be aware of your limitations and strive to improve them. Proper position is the key to successful communication to your horse. You have to be able to change your position and aids at the proper moment in order for the horse to do the same.
Distribute weight appropriately in your seat bones. Sit up and twist in your waist as the horse bends, do not lean or drop your shoulders. Your shoulders follow this twist and correspond to the position of the horse's shoulders. Your shoulder position, in turn, acts on the reins. Your hands should not be pulling the reins. Be sure your leg position changes with the change of bend: inside leg at the girth for engagement and to encourage suppleness in the horse's body and outside leg slightly back guarding the haunches.
As you are teaching bend to your horse, you may find him slowing down. This is because of the extra effort on his part to use his inside hind leg. Respond with more leg to encourage him to maintain energy and keep his inside hind leg engaged. If you find the horse really struggling to maintain forward, work on a larger figure, with more strides of straight. As the horse begins to understand and maintain the impulsion, you can work toward smaller figures with fewer strides of straight. Impulsion is the by-product of engagement, which equals the carrying power/ability of the horse.
Engagement is important in the slalom because it will allow the horse to be properly balanced from the hind end, which lifts the forehand. When this is not being achieved, the horse will fall on the forehand as he changes bend. This is especially important when performing the canter changes because the hind leg properly stepping forward will create the necessary balance for the new lead.
A great exercise to work on teaching what has been mentioned here is riding serpentine figures. The figure gives you plenty of time to create bend/flexion, ask for a turn, and gives you straight strides into change of bend into the new direction wherein you repeat the process. You can also use lateral exercises to strengthen the hind legs. The leg stepping forward and sideways under the horse’s center of gravity causes that leg to bear more weight and improves flexibility. This will help you to build better engaging ability.
Possible Ways to Increase the Single Slalom Score
The Single Slalom Assessment Criteria in the Working Equitation rulebook states, “The judge will evaluate the horse’s calm, precise action; fluid and continuous movement; quality of gait; overall manner in performing this obstacle; and the quality of the lead changes.”
Horses that understand bend/flexion, and change of bend, will naturally maintain regularity of the gait and promote relaxation. The symmetry and geometry of the Single Slalom figure/movement will also improve.
Wrap Up
The horse's ability to properly bend, flex, and change bend are a major foundation to the Single Slalom and many other obstacles and movements too! You should school this ability from the start. Holes within this skill will show up in the quality of the horse’s gaits, relaxation, and balance, and in the ability to ride figures with the proper geometry and symmetry. Over time, as your horse gains strength, you will add more collection and be able to perform proper bend within more advanced gaits and movements.
Erica Peet on P.R.E. gelding SM Serafin showing good bend and balance through a turn. This is the type of bend to strive for when riding a serpentine figure. Photo by Howard Peet.
This proper execution of bend/
flexion and change of bend is
especially important as you move
up into the canter work. If the
horse is falling somewhere in a
part of his body as you execute
bend/flexion to change of bend,
then he will not be properly
aligned in his body as you ask for
lead changes. The horse must
bend/flex, and remain uphill. The
moment of straightness, which
becomes a very brief momentary
realignment of the body in a more
experienced horse, will maintain
the uphill balance. If they are
thinking turn as you bend/flex,
then they will likely perform the
change poorly because their body
is misaligned.
Suggestions on what riders can
work on at home to improve this
obstacle
Be aware of your own position. As
riders, we too, have a strong side
and a weak side. Be aware of your
limitations and strive to improve
them. Proper position is the key
to successful communication to
your horse. You have to be able to
change your position and aids at
the proper moment in order for
the horse to do the same.
Distribute weight appropriately in
your seat bones. Sit up and twist
in your waist as the horse bends,
do not lean or drop your
shoulders. Your shoulders follow
this twist and correspond to the
position of the horse's shoulders.
Your shoulder position, in turn,
acts on the reins. Your hands
should not be pulling the reins. Be
sure your leg position changes
with the change of bend: inside
leg at the girth for engagement
and to encourage suppleness in
the horse's body and outside leg
slightly back guarding the
haunches.
As you are teaching bend to your
horse, you may find him slowing
down. This is because of the extra
effort on his part to use his inside
hind leg. Respond with more leg
to encourage him to maintain
energy and keep his inside hind
leg engaged. If you find the horse
really struggling to maintain
forward, work on a larger figure,
with more strides of straight. As
the horse begins to understand
and maintain the impulsion, you
can work toward smaller figures
with fewer strides of straight.
Impulsion is the by-product of
engagement, which equals the
carrying power/ability of the
horse.
Engagement is important in the
slalom because it will allow the
horse to be properly balanced
from the hind end, which lifts the