POINT OF VIEW When we start training the horse, our eventual goal
is to perform a series of symmetrical exercises in rhyth- mical and expressive gaits, controlled by light and even aids. This only becomes possible by helping the horse to regain his original flexibility and expand it to achieve as much symmetry as possible, which is when flexion work is beneficial. The body is shaped in a series of permanent spinal deviations that counteract each other. We call it “crookedness.” In the majority of cases, the dorsal spine bends left (concave side), lowering the right side of his back, making the horse heavier on his right shoulder (harder to bend the neck to the right) and the poll bends right (harder to bend the poll to the left). Practically speaking, the horse does not need the same flexion work on both sides because of his asymmetrical flexibility. For instance, a horse that loads his right shoulder needs the base of the neck to be pushed left (low flexion) so he can flex right while loading his left shoulder more, until weight distribution equals out. The same horse may also push his third, second and first vertebrae (upper neck and poll) to the right and need to relax this area by curv- ing all three to the right without tipping his poll left. This seems to be overly detailed but, without this preparation, the right half-passes for instance will always be labored for the rider and uncomfortable for the horse.
Basic Flexion Techniques for the Head and Neck These exercises must release the tension on the concave side of any lateral curve. This is when myofascial massage demonstrates its value: releasing the fascia by a steady, sliding pressure of the fingers produces the relaxation that allows lateral flexing. Flexions of the head and neck have been traditionally demanded by actions of the train- er on the bits of a double bridle, but they can be first ob- tained by adequate pressure of the fingers. Proper flex- ions must always end in complete relaxation: the horse is
put in the desired position, held by a “fixed hand,” given the time to relax on it, chew, swallow and keep this flex- ion a couple of seconds after he is released. The fixed hand (Baucher concept) does not pull and only gives af- ter the horse has released his own tension by modifying his posture through relaxation. As an example, the lateral poll flexion to the right can be obtained by pushing the poll in that direction with a finger applied close to the left TMJ, while a finger placed on the right side of the nose keeps his head vertical and prevents tipping. There is a tech- nique called “resetting” that consists of gently rocking the head from side to side very lightly. It releases the tension in the poll and most horses end up stretching into that position and even seek to take the flexion themselves. Here are important guidelines when doing effective
flexion work: Before starting flexions, attention must be given to
stretch the horse out, nose forward, in place and in move- ment longitudinally and laterally to undo the “kinks,” in a forward, relaxed warm up. This elongated position brings the front feet forward to “carry the head” and engages the hind legs to ensure balance. When asking for flexion, once released the horse
must follow the contact, preferably downward and out- ward without ever pulling on the reins. The horse must always move forward in the flexion in
the desired direction demanded by the seat/legs combina- tion, without losing any amplitude of the front legs’ ges- ture. The push of the seat during any kind of flexion must have the adequate degree of power: not enough and the flexion is lost, as the resistance of the mouth is reflected by an even greater resistance of the shoulders losing their forward motion than of the hind legs losing their engage- ment; too much push and the balance will be compro- mised (horse falling on the forehand). Flexions in place are just the first educational step
JP demonstrates lateral flexion of the poll to the right by pressure of the fingers. Then he releases the flexion by removing the pressure and the horse maintains his position for a few seconds on his own.
72 January/February 2018
before the horse is asked to move forward and flex in pro- gressively greater gaits. Each new degree of energy of the gait creates its own new level of contraction, so the effectiveness of the flexion is relative to that energy and gait amplitude. This process must be pursued methodi- cally in order for balance and lightness to be achieved up to the full extension of each gait. The goal of any flexion is always the arching of the
Photos by Kim Taylor
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
