We have had some very good discussions at La Mancha about stiffness and suppleness and how to help a horse develop towards being able to bend evenly going both directions by gently straightening and suppling him. 

For Manolo, suppling is not achieved by asking the horse for more bend on his stiff side then his soft side while riding or working in-hand and making him work in smaller circles and figures to "make" his stiff side "give", release and lengthen. He believes this approach creates muscle fatigue and mental resistance,stiffness and physical issues. Instead, he likes to make the work as simple and easy for the horse has possible.

While training, Manolo does rides circles, serpentines, loops etc.. in both directions however... he does not ask his horses to work to their stiff side as they do to their easier side and with the same degree of difficulty. His experience tells him that when we ask the horse for a smaller circle then he can physically perform with ease, the horse feels uncomfortable or over faced and we build more resistance and stiffness rather than strength and suppleness. 

By taking time and adapting the circle sizes to what the horse can do on his stiffer side without over taxing himself, by riding each figure softly and beautifully, we begin to release and supple the horse's stiff size - it is basic gymnasticizing. The muscles elasticity and ability to stretch cannot be forced, it must be developed slowly and carefully. 

When we are not fighting with the horse or forcing him into a posture that is uncomfortable, his confidence in the rider grows, he feels safe and knows he wont be over faced and uncomfortable and so he offers less and and less resistance. With less tension, it is easier to eliminate stiffness.

Over time, we can test the improved pliability of the horse's muscles and ask for one smaller circle here and there. We can vary the size of the circles and figures on the stiffer side and add more as long as the horse remains soft and comfortable.

Manolo had a wealth more information to share about straightness and crookedness and how it can travel from one side to the other and sometimes affect both side of the horse. He talked about the importance of not blocking the horse, of riding in the middle of the horse and more so we are working on these notes now. A big thank you to Manolo's assistant trainer Chantelle for her help.

In this pic from March 2012, Manolo is working on a 12 meter circle left and looking for an even bend through Clint's body. He is always looking for healthy spinal alignment, for fluidity and to eliminate restrictions and tensions in the body. Note how the horse's body is longer on the outside of the bend and how Manolo positioned his body so his outside rein is not blocking Clint's ability to bend. Not blocking the horse is a huge key to being able to develop an even horse. 

Beautiful Painted Horse by Debranne Pattillo of Equinology.com - thank you Deb