advice please(novice)

S

samstar

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 October 2008
Messages
11,673
Location
somewhere quiet
Visit site
Everytime I ride my mare out, she tilts her head sideways on the bit, and really lowers her neck to the ground. Last week she had her teeth rasped, so I know its not that. I ride her in a hanging cheek french link snaffle which previous she was in a myler loose ring snaffle.
Any info on what to do next would be much appreciated
smile.gif
confused.gif
 
Get her checked out by a recommended osteopath/physio, and get her saddle checked. Sometimes they 'evade' in this way because the saddle is pinching, or they're in pain somewhere else in the body.
How old is she by the way? Could be she is just ''trying it on'' as its easier to go along like this than in an outline, so may be wise to get another person on her to give their opinion.
 
she's nine years old and I had her back checked by a mctimonney practitioner back in december and she was tight all along her back, and in her shoulders. She had a saddle fitted by a saddler back in july when I bought her as the one she had was so high off her flat withers.
 
Perhaps get her back seen again - one treatment is rarely enought to completely relieve tightness. Could her saddle be checked again as its been a good 6 months and she may well have changed shape over winter.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Also just make sure its not you riding wonky!

[/ QUOTE ]

I do ride wonky and I tend to slide to the left in the saddle, so I have bought myself the H M seat saver. Only rode in it first time today and it has helped me. But me having more weight in left leg would that make any difference to her tilting her head on the right rein
confused.gif
 
Yes, you riding wonky could be responsible for her tilting her head, and possbily for the tight back too.

Think of it like you are carrying a really heavy rucksack, with all the weight packed on one side, you would soon be leaning over in an attempt to balence the weight out. You'd probably get a bad back too if someone make you carry it every day.

Is there a medical reason why you sit wonky? If so your saddler may be able to adjust your saddle to carry the weight evenly.

Otherwise its probably a good idea to have some lessons and concentrate on this, lunge lessons can be good for wonky-ness. Check your stirrups are the same length (from the ground), even if they are on the same hole they can be uneven, especially if you always mount from the left, and have never swapped them over.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top