The horse won't flex at the poll and is having problems with collection what should be done?

A horse that won't flex at the poll and is struggling with collection is almost always showing you the same problem from two different angles — because poll flexion and collection are not separate issues but deeply interconnected expressions of the same underlying state of the horse's body and mind. A horse that is tense, resistant, or physically unable to flex at the poll cannot be truly collected, because the soft, through topline that collection requires begins at the poll and travels backward through the neck, back, and hindquarters. The first obligation before any training intervention is a thorough physical evaluation. Poll resistance that is persistent, asymmetrical, or appeared suddenly has a physical cause until proven otherwise. The poll, atlas, and axis joints at the top of the cervical spine are a common location for chiropractic restriction and muscle tension that makes flexion physically uncomfortable. Dental issues on one side of the mouth create asymmetrical bit pressure that makes flexing in one direction more aversive than the other. Have your veterinarian and an equine chiropractor evaluate the horse before interpreting the resistance as purely a training issue. Assuming the horse is physically clear, return to lateral flexion on the ground as the starting point. Apply a light, steady contact on one rein and wait. The moment the horse softens his jaw, releases the tension in his poll, and flexes even a fraction toward the pressure, release completely and immediately. The biggest mistake riders make is releasing too slowly — the release must be immediate and complete. Drop the rein contact entirely the moment the horse gives, even if the give is tiny. Under saddle, establish genuine forward energy at the walk before any contact work is asked for. Once the walk is forward and energetic, pick up a light, elastic contact and invite the horse to seek it rather than imposing it. Transitions are the tool that develops poll flexion and collection simultaneously — each correctly ridden downward transition asks the horse to shift weight rearward, step under with the hindquarters, and round through the topline. A horse worked correctly through transitions for several weeks will begin to offer poll flexion more willingly because his body has been developed to the point where flexing at the poll is no longer a physical or mental struggle.