Training Tip: Balance Impulsion with Suppling

0102_Tip

All riding maneuvers you do with your horse can be broken into two categories: impulsion exercises and suppling exercises. Impulsion exercises focus on getting the horse to move forward. These are the exercises like the Cruising Lesson, Follow the Fence, Controlled Cruising and Confused Loping that help to get the cobwebs out of the horse’s brain, get his feet moving somewhere and put miles under his feet.

Suppling exercises require the horse to move his body laterally and bend and soften his five body parts – his head and neck, poll, shoulders, ribcage and hindquarters. These are exercises such as Bending Transitions, Sidepassing, Two-Tracking, Shoulder In/Shoulder Out, etc., and include Figure 8 Around Trees.

Balancing impulsion exercises with suppling exercises helps to keep your horse mentally fit. Practicing too many suppling exercises without including any impulsion exercises can make a horse sour and cranky because he’ll feel like you’re never letting him go somewhere. You’re constantly bending him around in circles or moving his body from one side to the other. However, if you practice too many impulsion exercises without including enough suppling exercises, the horse will have a tendency to forget that you’re even on his back and will stop paying attention to your cues. Just as it’s important to balance sensitizing and desensitizing exercises on the ground, it’s equally important to balance impulsion and suppling exercises in the saddle.

More News

Back to all news

See All
0604_02

6 years ago

Clinton: Why You Should Hit the Trails With Your Horse This Summer

There are many different levels of trail riders – from those who do week-long camping rides to those who enjoy…

Read More
1204_02

7 years ago

They’ve Got the Experience You and Your Horse Need

A couple weeks before the auction at Clinton’s ranch, I emailed asking for a recommendation of a Method Ambassador near…

Read More
0728_01

5 years ago

Reminder: Kalispell, Montana Tour Cancelled

Several weeks ago, we made the decision to cancel the Walkabout Tour scheduled to take place in Kalispell, Montana this…

Read More
0815_02

8 years ago

ADM Hosting Meet and Greet With Clinton

On Friday before our last Walkabout Tour of the year, ADM will be hosting a meet and greet with Clinton…

Read More