If he understands the concept early in the lesson, but gets less and less responsive, you're probably releasing the pressure too slowly. Drop the leadrope and give immediate relief when the horse flexes and softens.
Tips for Success
Remember to reward the slightest try. You can eventually ask for more and more flex until the horse touches his side with his nose. At first, however, release as soon as the horse willingly yields to the pressure, creating slack in the lead rope.
Repetition keeps the horse light. For an easy way to work this exercise into your daily routine, flex the horse at least five times on each side every time you catch him.
Clinton Anderson presents horsemanship clinics across the country. For more information, visit www.downunderhorsemanship.com.
To order Downunder Horsemanship, call 1-800-952-5813 or visit HorseBooksEtc.com.
