Bridle Lameness

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sassyequine

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Im interested in your experiences of overcoming bridle lameness. My 7 yr old thoroughbred event mare who've I've not had long started head banging and nodding and sometimes looking lame in front. The conclusion is bridle lameness as it stops when she accepts the contact and works from behind. She doesnt do it jumping or hacking.

im interested in how long it took to over come it and how you did it. Our plan is continued schooling and pessoa work along with some physio for muscle relief as she fittens up.

Many thanks
 
The important thing is for you not to push her out of her natural cadence, as if it is 'Bridle Lameness', that's the most likely cause. When I've seen it in the past (mostly in unaffiliated showing when riders are asking their mount for a stride it just hasn't got) I always suggested not confusing speed with impulsion, & concentrating more on developing a consistent rhythm, & it sounds to me as if your plan will be of all round benefit, providing of course there isn't any other underlying cause.
 
Thanks yes I agree. She has pretty regular rythm but when she finds it difficult will try to speed rather than use her hind quarters then you get the nodding and lameness. She's not lame at all on the lunge which is positive! Its a hard one as its difficult to keep riding through it hence having our vet to look! Hopefully plan a will work
 
My horse used to do it everynow and again, I think its more common on bigger striding horses, warmbloods and such. I never put much emphasis on it to be honest. I guessed it was because he was trying to rush through his stride and being too much on his forehand. He doesn't do it much if at all now, but its no longer problematic because I know how to school more than I did - and to get him to acheive more out of a session. I'm not suggesting for one minute that is why it happens to you by the way! x
 
my horse used to do it if I steered predominantly with my hands, as soon as i learnt to ride from my seat into my outside rein she stopped doing it (but she had been schooled in germany for many years and she has learnt everything a bit different to me, so not sure how relevant this is to your mare!) One day it may well just click and you'll find a way of going that works for you both.
 
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