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Step 1
Start by riding small, 10 meter circles at the walk. This will loosen up your horse's neck and back. (This exercise is generally learned at the walk, but may be done at the trot and canter once the horse has accomplished the movement correctly.) Be sure not to over bend the horse; you should be able to just see his inside eye, but not the front of his face.
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Step 2
Keep your inside leg firm to achieve the proper bend while pushing the horse forward with the outside leg. Walk the horse along the straight side of the arena but stay about 10 meters from the wall or rail on the outside of the arena. Make one small circle toward the outside of the arena and when you get back to the spot you started from, straighten your reins, encouraging him to move forward, and position your horse as if to turn toward the outside, but keep your leg that is toward the inside of the arena a little behind the girth, cuing the horse to bring his hind leg under him.
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Step 3
Keep the horse moving forward by keeping your hands firmly on the reins and not letting the horse actually turn. Keep your leg that is toward the outside of the arena firmly on his side at the girth to cue the horse to bend correctly. Do not ask for too much bend or too many steps forward at first. Keep your upper body straight and tall. Be sure not to twist your shoulders or cross your hands over each other.
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Step 4
Notice your horse's positioning. If done correctly, the horse should have his tail to the outside of the arena, bringing his hind legs underneath him while his front end is toward the inside of the arena. If the horse becomes over bent, release your leg aids, let him straighten out and start over.
