SUPPLING AND RETRAINING

Correct bending is the effective way to supple a horse. In this lovely image, Ann Saggio on her mare Hasten Down the Wind show the most important gait for training purposes: the walk. Suppling is not done merely by means of the reins and bit: Note how the horse untracks, bringing the inside hind hoof under the body shadow. This supples the haunches, loin span and rib cage.

Harness racers are checked up so that rounding the neck and back is almost impossible while they’re in harness. The normal result of the sort of work shown in the photo at right, and one of its objects, is what is shown here: The horse will offer to flex the loins and hind joints and round his neck and back, thus dropping his head.

Here Kelly Ducharme and her gelding Stallone Blue Chip demonstrate the classic exercise “showing the horse the way to the ground.”