Training in the Right Way: Types of Suppleness

Yes, there is more than one type — and knowing what they are and how to recognize them is critical to training in the right way.

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

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Most riders are familiar with the concept of suppleness, or at least think they are. Usually, they recognize it as the horse’s ability to bend its neck equally well in both directions. Sometimes people notice suppleness as an inherent trait in a quality dressage horse. But the reality is that suppleness has more than these two definitions. In this article we will look at the different types of suppleness and how to recognize them.

Often when I’m teaching, I will refer to suppleness as the ability of the horse to perform equally well in both directions. For the purpose of a rider understanding the training process it is extremely important that they focus on the horse being able to do everything at his level of training in both directions with the same degree of balance and confidence. This does not mean that the horse FEELS the same on both the left and right aids, or that the exact same aids are used in mirror image in both directions. It simply means that the horse can be directed to produce the same quality of movement and exercises both ways, without a visible perceptive difference. This concept is also described as the horse being supple to the aids. Supple to the aids specifically means that the horse does not “lean into” or “resist” the rein or leg aids of the rider, but instead reacts productively to them, on both sides with the same amount of effect.

Dio in a moment that shows suppleness to the rider’s leg and rein aids. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson.

When a horse moves fluidly throughout his whole body, we refer to this type of suppleness as freedom of movement. This is a quality that some horses are born with. A very high-quality, purpose bred dressage horse will often show this quality naturally. This is a quality of suppleness that can be trained into a not so naturally supple horse, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE TRAINED OUT OF A NATURALLY SUPPLE HORSE through incorrect contact and a misunderstanding of how to make and keep a horse supple. This type of suppleness is visible in all exercises in dressage, but the place I tell people to learn to look for it is in the free walk or extended walk, where the horse’s neck, shoulders, back and haunches should move independently and fluidly in the rhythm of the walk “like a jungle cat.”

Wilson stretching down and forward over his topline. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson.

Lateral suppleness can be described as the ability of the horse to bend and move sideways equally well, both to the left and to the right. This quality is notable in both supple to the aids and freedom of movement, however it is its own trait. All horses are born with a hollow side and a long side. One theory is that occurs because all foals lie in a position in utero that creates a lateral curve in the horse’s spine. The adult riding horse may continue to favor this curvature that it developed before birth. Regardless, the natural preference to bend more one way than the other is retained throughout life and can be modified to create a more balanced and ambidextrous horse. Lateral suppleness is visible in all circles, corners and lateral work, as well as the canter. The horse’s ability to produce these exercises equally well both ways show his lateral suppleness.

Wilson showing suppleness and right bending while turning right in the canter. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson.

An often-forgotten part of suppleness is longitudinal suppleness. This quality of suppleness is visible in a naturally supple horse by the desire to stretch the nose to the ground easily while in motion AS WELL AS the hind legs being able to clearly reach forward, under the horse’s torso while in motion, due to the haunches and lumbar spine swinging and bending in each stride. The horse that is trained to be supple longitudinally will learn to produce the same type of movement in response to the rider’s aids.

Wilson again stretching his neck down and forward while in free walk on a loose rein. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson.

When we talk about suppleness, as a trait in the riding horse, we must remember that while natural suppleness is desirable, the process of dressage training is supposed to create/increase/improve the horse’s suppleness while being ridden, as well as in response to the aids. Dressage training is full of exercises that help the rider create and maintain suppleness in their horse. Learning which exercises to use and how to use them correctly is an important piece of the rider’s education. This is especially important due to the fact that suppleness will decrease more easily than it can be created, and a naturally supple horse may give the rider more to work with, but it will not sustain itself. Creating and maintaining suppleness is a life-long, everyday activity for good dressage training.

 Remember: Limited knowledge is limited judgment.

Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.