First Show-He is useless on left rein!

[Wooleysmum]

Doing my first show EVER next weekend. M&M, Veteran, low key fun club. My 24 year old cob is useless on the left rein canter, needs a bomb to make him go anyway. I find it hard to get him round in the circle. Any tips for our wee show. I am dreading it!! Oh! Flash nose band, a know it all said it was on upside down, what way should it go? !He is fine on the right rein.

 

[Oldred]

Just some thoughts off top of head.

1. He is stiff or sore on a hind leg, or in his back, or its the saddle fit, i.e. a pain/discomfort issue.
2. He simply doesn't know the aids and how to get himself and you into canter and stay there.
3. The rider is not sitting correctly, either is asymmetrical or is freezing up, bracing etc because the pony is difficult to get into canter.

Diagnosis is the key and getting a trainer or really experienced rider to ride and check horse is the best bet.

Its unlikley you can re-school the horse before the weekend you want to show but obviously you need to check the whole pain/discomfort thing out asap. If the pony canters happily out on a hack there can't be too much wrong hopefully.

Having the correct bend for the lead wanted and the rider staying balanced are probably the key points to think about. Most horses get into canter okay if you push the trot on til they naturally take canter and this might be your best bet for your show remembering to be brave and not hold the pony in at the front with the reins. Also, in the group go round, you will have the other ponies cantering which will help. In your individual show, do lots of trot, have a bash at canter right and stay in that if you get the right lead then change rein and if it all goes pear shaped, don't worry, there'll be another time, just return to trot and show that off a bit more!