Introduction
It is an important step in teaching horses respect and obedience. It is an essential part of horsemanship, and a bonding exercise between horse-rider. Flexing teaches the horse to listen to the rider’s cues and stay focused and alert. This article will describe the process of teaching horses to flex at polls and offer some tips for success.
What is Flexing at The Poll?
Flexing at the Poll is a maneuver where the horse is asked to move its neck in response to a cue given by the rider. The horse should be able and willing to do this. This is important as it develops the horse’s ability to respond to the cues of the rider. It also encourages the horse stay focused and attentive.
How to teach a horse to flex at the poll
It takes patience and perseverance to teach a horse how to move at the poll. To ensure that the horse feels comfortable with each step, it is important to begin with small steps. These are some tips to help horses learn how to move at the poll.
1. Make the horse feel loved
To get a horse to touch you, the first step is to teach him to move at the poll. Start by gently massaging the horse’s neck with your fingers. Next, work your way up to gentle pressure using your hands. Begin by gently stroking the horse’s neck on one side, then move to the poll area.
2. Introduce the Cue
When the horse feels comfortable, you can introduce the cue. You can do this by gently pressing the horse’s neck one way or another, and then release the pressure. This will teach the horse that it should flex its neck after being given the cue.
3. Reward the horse for flexing
Reward the horse with a treat, or a pat when it responds to the cue. This will reinforce the behavior and encourage the horse’s willingness to continue to flex.
4. Increase the Flexibility of the Flex
After the horse has become comfortable with the cue to flex, you can increase the length of the flex. Slowly increasing the amount of time the horse holds the flex can help. You can take a break if the horse resists.
Tips to Success
These are some tips to help you teach your horse how to flex at polling.
1. Be Patient
It takes patience and time to teach a horse how to move at the poll. Expect the horse to master the behavior slowly and allow the horse to have breaks when he gets frustrated.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is crucial when teaching horses to move at the poll. You can reward your horse with pats or treats for every successful flex, and you should praise them often.
3. Be consistent
When teaching horses to flex at their poll, consistency is key. You should practice the flexing cue often to ensure that your horse can remember it quickly.
FAQs
1. How long does it take for a horse learn to bend at the poll?
It all depends on the horse. It depends on the horse. Some horses learn it quickly while others take longer. When teaching horses to flex at their poll, it is important to be patient.
2. Does flexing at the poll make sense?
Yes, flexing at a poll is an important part in good horsemanship. It improves the horse’s ability to respond to the cues of the rider, and encourages him to remain focused and attentive.
Conclusion
It is important to teach a horse how to move at the poll. It takes patience and perseverance to teach a horse to flex at the poll. It involves getting the horse to flex at the poll, giving the cue for the horse to flex, rewarding him or her, and increasing the time of the flex. Any horse can learn how to flex at the poll with patience and positive reinforcement. This video will show you how to teach your horse to flex at poll.