02/03/2026
A tiny detail that makes a huge difference.
We all know to bend our horses left and right to create softness.
With cookies or without 😉
But what really changes this exercise is what you do right after.
Add softness in the poll.
That small moment is what teaches your horse to softly lean onto the outside shoulder — where true balance and real softness actually come from. Instead of just giving the head and popping right out of the exercise, they start to stay in it, understand it, and relax into it.
Try it.
And then add it in forward motion too — on the ground or under saddle.
You’ll feel the difference almost immediately.
A softer horse is always a more relaxed horse.
Video (c) Joel McDowell
**tstarting