Bit ideas... Horse leanng on left rein

Lippyx

Lippyx

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Hi all,

Just after some ideas really. My boy has always been a little stiff to the left, but is really leaning on my left rein. I worry it might be me as my left hand isn't as flexible as my right (I am VERY right sided). He is currently in this bit, which my instructor has leant me, and to start with he was amazing, but now he is heavy again.

IMAG0490_zpsa6fb9a2b.jpg


Sorry, not 100% sure what bit it is.

I've Google'd this and a few people were suggesting Waterfords, but I don't want to try something like that, bit too harsh to start with I think.

He is 5 yo lightweight cob and does ride on the forehand. This does improve with some exercises, but takes a while. I know this doesn't help the leaning, but just want some people's thoughts and experiences. He has recently had a dentist check and all OK, and I currently ride him in a standard cavesson bridle, but thinking about changing to a flash nose band as he does open his mouth when asking him to halt etc.
 
I would change the bit to something that he does not fight against when you ask for halt. If you are not being rough with the asking or heavy on one rein, I view the open mouth as a sign he is not happy with the bit. I would not use a waterford bit or a flash noseband for this issue, I would try different sorts of mild snaffle until you find one he is happy with.

The leaning on the left rein is possibly you not providing an elastic contact on that rein, I view it as a schooling and rider issue not something requiring a change of bit. If you keep increasing the severity of the bit to try to cure the leaning, without addressing the root cause, there is a risk he will become hard mouthed.
 
I had the same problem and I found the Myler comfort snaffle helped hugely because of the independent side action... you can release and pick up each side of the bit & train him & you to help resolve the leaning left rein issue :)
 
Firefly9410 said:
I would change the bit to something that he does not fight against when you ask for halt. If you are not being rough with the asking or heavy on one rein, I view the open mouth as a sign he is not happy with the bit. I would not use a waterford bit or a flash noseband for this issue, I would try different sorts of mild snaffle until you find one he is happy with.

The leaning on the left rein is possibly you not providing an elastic contact on that rein, I view it as a schooling and rider issue not something requiring a change of bit. If you keep increasing the severity of the bit to try to cure the leaning, without addressing the root cause, there is a risk he will become hard mouthed.
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That's what I worry about, that he is becoming dead on the left rein. I am not heavy handed and my instructor says I am a very quiet and sympathetic rider, but I know my left hand isn't as "nice" as my right. I am really trying hard to not pull on the left and rather wiggle my fingers when I ask, keeping my right hand still with contact. What ends up happening though is he flexes to the outside and then falls in through the shoulder. On the right rein, I don't even need to ask for inside bend, he naturally does it, and sometimes over flexes and falls out.

I'm so worried I'll ruin his mouth so really want to nip this issue in the bud.
 
If this is a new habit I'd be getting a physio to check him out, especially his neck, before a different bit or a flash. Leaning like that could signal tightness/unlevelness/pain elsewhere in his body. I have one who leans heavily on the left. He has both a neck problem on the left which means he carries his head to the right and he doesn't push of the right hind correctly due to a gut problem.
 
Lippyx said:
That's what I worry about, that he is becoming dead on the left rein. I am not heavy handed and my instructor says I am a very quiet and sympathetic rider, but I know my left hand isn't as "nice" as my right. I am really trying hard to not pull on the left and rather wiggle my fingers when I ask, keeping my right hand still with contact. What ends up happening though is he flexes to the outside and then falls in through the shoulder. On the right rein, I don't even need to ask for inside bend, he naturally does it, and sometimes over flexes and falls out.

I'm so worried I'll ruin his mouth so really want to nip this issue in the bud.
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Opening the inside rein or asking with your inside leg for more bend could help counteract any outside flexion when you feel the left rein, so he maintains the current degree of bend without falling through either shoulder. He sounds a typical young horse on the forehand and finding it hard to balance or keep a consistent bend.
 
Scarlett said:
If this is a new habit I'd be getting a physio to check him out, especially his neck, before a different bit or a flash. Leaning like that could signal tightness/unlevelness/pain elsewhere in his body. I have one who leans heavily on the left. He has both a neck problem on the left which means he carries his head to the right and he doesn't push of the right hind correctly due to a gut problem.
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This is spot on, he also struggles with the right hind, pushing it through. He had the physio a month back who said he was unlevel and after she saw to him he was a different horse. He has regular McTimoney check ups, but this other lady was different in her work. I believe she is back again in the new year and I have him on the list, but maybe I need to rethink my back specialist??

The lack of left bend is not a new issue, he has always struggled with that, but this hanging seems to be, and I notice it as my left shoulder is killing me as I am hanging onto a train sometimes. I half halt before we change pace, but I still find he almost ignores this and evades my rein aids by opening his mouth.

I've had to cancel my last few lessons due to funds, but maybe I need to have a chat with my instructor, as she rides him so knows his little quirks well.

Saying all this, his upwards transitions have improved 10 fold and now rarely strikes off on the wrong leg in canter.
 
If I was in this situation this is what I would do...?I would get out a good qualified back person, a Chiro ( we are lucky in Kent as we have a Chiro vet) . Mc Timothy are good but are less hands on. I would then check teeth and saddle etc etc etc. I would then have myself checked out by a good Chiro. Once I was sure everything fitted, worked and was straight I would get the myler bit as they are super. If things were then not right I would talk to my instructor again about how I felt on my bad rein. She should be able to help you work through it, it's fine being told you are great, but if you are feeling wrong it needs to be corrected.

The bit where you say he opens his mouth to evade the aid rings alarm bells for me. If he doesn't do it on the other rein it could be he is finding it difficult or painful. Just a thought.
 
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Sukistokes2 said:
If I was in this situation this is what I would do...?I would get out a good qualified back person, a Chiro ( we are lucky in Kent as we have a Chiro vet) . Mc Timothy are good but are less hands on. I would then check teeth and saddle etc etc etc. I would then have myself checked out by a good Chiro. Once I was sure everything fitted, worked and was straight I would get the myler bit as they are super. If things were then not right I would talk to my instructor again about how I felt on my bad rein. She should be able to help you work through it, it's fine being told you are great, but if you are feeling wrong it needs to be corrected.

The bit where you say he opens his mouth to evade the aid rings alarm bells for me. If he doesn't do it on the other rein it could be he is finding it difficult or painful. Just a thought.
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Good plan!! I will get all the above checked (I already have regular checks on my own back) and we if it makes a difference. I love the back lady I currently have, but maybe he needs someone who manipulates his back differently?

Regarding the mouth opening, I haven't notice him do it more on the worse rein, but will check when I next ride him.

Thanks guys, this is exactly the useful info I was after!!
 
The trouble is once they start leaning you tend to set your hand to try and stop them getting too crooked, as if you want to hold them up. What you are doing is giving them something to lean on. I had this problem and a really good instructor taught me to get some give and take in that hand. It is counterintuitive but it works.
 
Some good suggestions here. I have a similar problem in that I have a very weak left leg. Two knee surgeries and an achilles tendon injury so I often "lose" that leg while riding. My mare immediately lets me know by drifting left across the arena.

But just wanted to say, a Waterford is not a harsh bit. It is what I use on my mare when I'm not competing and it is her favorite bit.
 
Firefly9410 said:
I would change the bit to something that he does not fight against when you ask for halt. If you are not being rough with the asking or heavy on one rein, I view the open mouth as a sign he is not happy with the bit. I would not use a waterford bit or a flash noseband for this issue, I would try different sorts of mild snaffle until you find one he is happy with.

The leaning on the left rein is possibly you not providing an elastic contact on that rein, I view it as a schooling and rider issue not something requiring a change of bit. If you keep increasing the severity of the bit to try to cure the leaning, without addressing the root cause, there is a risk he will become hard mouthed.
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This is good advice
 
It looks like a Neue Schule bit. I use various types of Neue Schule on all my horses and really rate them.
I'd suspect your problem isn't bit related. Sounds more like your horse is trying to tell you he's in pain. Leaning on left rein, opening mouth, and not using right hind correctly are all classic signs of hindgut acidosis. Best get him fully checked over to establish exactly what's wrong.
Strapping his mouth shut with a flash will not help matters.....
 
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Physio for both you would be my recommendation and STOP wiggling your fingers!

Drop the contact altogether until you have him working from behind and off the forehand. The horse will lean while you give him something to lean on, make him learn to carry himself. The best way to do that is to hack over varied terrain, so that he learns to balance himself and his rider, while the rider uses seat and leg aids.

A health check for him would also be a good idea.
 
Scatterbrain said:
It looks like a Neue Schule bit. I use various types of Neue Schule on all my horses and really rate them.
I'd suspect your problem isn't bit related. Sounds more like your horse is trying to tell you he's in pain. Leaning on left rein, opening mouth, and not using right hind correctly are all classic signs of hindgut acidosis. Best get him fully checked over to establish exactly what's wrong.
Strapping his mouth shut with a flash will not help matters.....
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That's interesting. What causes hindgut acidosis? He is always hungry and even when he eats his belly always rumbles likes he hasn't eaten. How does it affect his way of going?
 
Scarlett said:
If this is a new habit I'd be getting a physio to check him out, especially his neck, before a different bit or a flash. Leaning like that could signal tightness/unlevelness/pain elsewhere in his body. I have one who leans heavily on the left. He has both a neck problem on the left which means he carries his head to the right and he doesn't push of the right hind correctly due to a gut problem.
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This ^^

Horses will do this if they don't find it comfortable to bend a certain way. Usually they will be tight down one side of their neck.
 
Yes, that's what it is a NS starter though it's thinner than the first one he had.

Please don't get me wrong, I don't want to strap his mouth shut, and after reading about Hindgut Acidosis I'm wondering if he has high acid levels as he struggles with the right hind and his belly is always rumbling like it's empty, even when he is eating. Also he is a real foody and has been on woodchip since summer so once his hay has gone during the night, he hasn't got a straw bed to snack on.
 
Lippyx said:
Yes, that's what it is a NS starter though it's thinner than the first one he had.

Please don't get me wrong, I don't want to strap his mouth shut, and after reading about Hindgut Acidosis I'm wondering if he has high acid levels as he struggles with the right hind and his belly is always rumbling like it's empty, even when he is eating. Also he is a real foody and has been on woodchip since summer so once his hay has gone during the night, he hasn't got a straw bed to snack on.
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You could get him some oat straw if you do not want to up his hay, or a greedy feeder net to make the hay last longer.
 
Hindgut acidosis is a huge subject, so I'd advise you to take advice from your vet. Colonic ulcers are located in the right dorsol colon, and are very painful, hence the horse tries to avoid the discomfort of using his RH correctly.

In the meantime, you could take a look at the highly respected Dr Kerry Ridgway's paper on ulcers (easily found via google).

It might not be his hindgut that is causing your boy problems, but certainly worth considering and reading up on the subject.
 
Sukistokes2 said:
You could get him some oat straw if you do not want to up his hay, or a greedy feeder net to make the hay last longer.
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He has hayledge haynets at the moment and I would give him more hay but the yard have strict rules about how much hay each horse has. I might try him back on straw, as he was a lot less obsessive with food when he was on straw. Now he will drag me across the yard if he sees a haynet and will actually "hoover" the yard clean if I let him have a wander!!
 
Scatterbrain said:
Hindgut acidosis is a huge subject, so I'd advise you to take advice from your vet. Colonic ulcers are located in the right dorsol colon, and are very painful, hence the horse tries to avoid the discomfort of using his RH correctly.

In the meantime, you could take a look at the highly respected Dr Kerry Ridgway's paper on ulcers (easily found via google).

It might not be his hindgut that is causing your boy problems, but certainly worth considering and reading up on the subject.
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I agree. I will have a read up and maybe see if I can make his lifestyle and food regime more natural for him... That can't be a bad place to start!
 
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I had a very similar problem with my horse and found changing bits made no difference because the contact issue is actually a symptom of unevenness in the hindlegs in terms of suppleness, thrust and carrying power.

These were the issues I was having which I now think are all connected as they all improved when I started working on our straightness. Don't know if you are experiencing any of these too?

Contact...
left rein feels light and responsive
right rein feels "dead" and heavy
often find my reins slightly different lengths even though they were even to start with.
Sometimes his mouth will be wet and foamy on one side only.

Bending around inside leg
On the left rein it seems easier - but actually I have to be careful he isn't just bending the middle of his neck to avoid aligning his left shoulder and hip.
On the right rein I have to be careful he isn't just tilting his muzzle right and often find I am positioned to the outside of his body - have to make more effort to weight inside seatbone
Easier to ride smaller circles and figures on left rein
Drifting outwards and losing the hind quarters out to the left when circling right

Canter
Will try to come above bit during walk-canter transitions on right rein
Favours left lead and feels better balanced
Horse travels slightly haunches in when cantering on left rein - especially obvious when asking for a bigger canter

I spent a good 4 months concentrating on exercises such as spirals, serpentines, figure 8s, shoulder in & haunches in and eventually starting half pass. We also used canter plies, counter canter, walk - canter transitions, poles and cavaletti work. There was a huge improvement the evenness in both reins even in that short time. I imagine straightness is one of those things you have to constantly work on as it's a bit like being left or right handed - When learning new movements we will always find it easier initially on the left rein and we always be able to make it tighter and more balanced on the left rein and have to work harder on the right rein.
 
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Pongwiffy said:
I had a very similar problem with my horse and found changing bits made no difference because the contact issue is actually a symptom of unevenness in the hindlegs in terms of suppleness, thrust and carrying power.

These were the issues I was having which I now think are all connected as they all improved when I started working on our straightness. Don't know if you are experiencing any of these too?

Contact...
left rein feels light and responsive
right rein feels "dead" and heavy
often find my reins slightly different lengths even though they were even to start with.
Sometimes his mouth will be wet and foamy on one side only.

Bending around inside leg
On the left rein it seems easier - but actually I have to be careful he isn't just bending the middle of his neck to avoid aligning his left shoulder and hip.
On the right rein I have to be careful he isn't just tilting his muzzle right and often find it harder to put weight on inside seatbone.
Easier to ride smaller circles and figures on left rein
Drifting outwards and losing the hind quarters out to the left when circling right

Canter
Will try to come above bit during walk-canter transitions on right rein
Favours left lead and feels better balanced
Horse travels slightly haunches in when cantering on left rein - especially obvious when asking for a bigger canter

I spent a good 4 months concentrating on exercises such as spirals, serpentines, figure 8s, shoulder in & haunches in and eventually starting half pass. We also used canter plies, counter canter, walk - canter transitions, poles and cavaletti work. There was a huge improvement in his straightness and the feel in both reins even in that short time. I imagine straightness is one of those things you have to constantly work on as it's a bit like being left or right handed - When learning new movements we will always find it easier initially on the left rein and we always be able to make it tighter and more balanced on the left rein and have to work harder on the right rein.
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He does have a weak back end and sometimes has needed a tweek in his pelvis. The more transistions I do throughout the schooling the better and more uplifted he becomes. If I constantly do exercises which involve trot to canter to trot etc he really lifts up his front end. I need to get an exercise plan together really!
 
Lippyx said:
He has hayledge haynets at the moment and I would give him more hay but the yard have strict rules about how much hay each horse has. I might try him back on straw, as he was a lot less obsessive with food when he was on straw. Now he will drag me across the yard if he sees a haynet and will actually "hoover" the yard clean if I let him have a wander!!
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Is there a certain amount of hay included in the livery charge? If so, could you pay extra to have more hay available for your horse? If not, I'd be looking for a different yard. Was there a particular reason for changing his bedding? There is very little worse for a horse than standing for hours with nothing to eat. It can certainly create far too much acid in the digestive system.
 
We have a weak backend too! Transitions deffo getting them off the forehand and transitions within the trot or canter help improve longitudinal suppleness but if you think about it if the hindlegs aren't pushing and loading as evenly as possible it is hard to get the transitions as through as possible because some of the energy will get lost or stuck on the way to the bit (escaping through shoulder, drifting etc) - lateral exercises are really good at helping to strengthen the hind quarters by improving the suppleness of the joints.

http://academicartofriding.com/free-online-course/ - I found this website really interesting...there is a free e book you can download.

I'd also recommend Charles De Kunffy's book "The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse" if you find reading about schooling useful - it has some good ideas for exercises and explains the rationale behind them as well as how to string them together and develop their difficulty as the horse gets stronger.
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
Is there a certain amount of hay included in the livery charge? If so, could you pay extra to have more hay available for your horse? If not, I'd be looking for a different yard. Was there a particular reason for changing his bedding? There is very little worse for a horse than standing for hours with nothing to eat. It can certainly create far too much acid in the digestive system.
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I changed the bedding because in the summer he got a cough. The vet said he could probably go back on straw but I kept to the woodchip. I've been thinking about putting him on matting with a small amount of straw bedding as he trashes his bed, therefore deep littering woodchip is not working out... It's costing me a fortune!!

You're right about standing in a stable for hours with nothing to eat which is why I'd rathervhevhave a straw bed as he could at least munch on that if he had nothing else. It's not ideal but better than starving, right?
 
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