Getting a very stiff horse to soften

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poiuytrewq

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Hi, I posted previously about our horse who hadn't handled his eye removal and as a result had lost all steering/ mouth along with other problems!
So he's been re-backed carefully and slowly. Perfect mouth on long reins still hideous ridden.
He was then given a break. Had a new saddle fitted and is commencing proper ridden work hopefully!
The term wooden was made for him!
Although ridden we can now change direction and ride rough circles (it really was that bad!)
He is totally solid and seems unable to bend round the inside leg- although this is improving slowly but mouth wise it's head out, nose out and tbh the reins may as well be nailed to a solid wall. He also falls out through his shoulder.
He's in a loose ring snaffle with peanut lozenge and no noseband as this I'd the combo I used to re break him and stuck with it.
He used to be ridden in a hanging cheek and flash (at the advice of an instructor but it was the first thing I got rid of)
I did get him a drop before the operation but have never tried it.
Any one have any ideas or advice to help us out? Bearing in mind we are trying to do all this kindly and make him enjoy work again.
 
Am attempting to answer on my phone so apologise for any oddities. You probably know he is holding himself like this partly through attempting to feel more secure. Our presence on them does upset their balance a bit and when one eye is removed the brain requires a bit of rewiring to adjust. It is a bit like if you were to carry a rucksack with a patch over one eye and run around in a circle. The first few times creates quite an odd sensation. I suggest that when you are warming up in the school in walk at first you ask for some flexion to the inside for a few sides every few strides. Intersperse this with some quite tight (5-10m) circles with exaggerated bend to the inside. Then when you introduce trotting you keep doing figures of eight so you are only asking for bend for a few strides. Horses are badly wired between left and right brain (which is why they will pass something one way without batting an eyelid and the other way it is the scariest thing going) so almost continual changes of rein should help reassure him. Also, have you lunged him? Can you do so in an equiami? It encourages them to work through their backs and therefore can help with establishing balance.
 
Hi, that all makes sense. I found it hard to understand at first why there was such a difference long reined and ridden but put like that it seems obvious.
At the moment there is no warming up and working- He's not really up to that- but I can certainly try as you said- Not sure we can do tight circles yet either but all will come with time.
I don't know about an Equi-ami having never seen or used one but I had been thinking of trying a Pessoa, would this be beneficial?
I do lunge him but currently I just lunge off the bridle with two reins. He seems to need the second rein! Not sure why but regular lunging results in flat out, out of control panic whereas with two reins e remains calm and listens to my voice far more-but yes he is ok to lunge.
 
No practical training tips, but I would get him a sports massage, it should help relax and loosen him up. To date, I haven't seen a massage that has not had a significant positive effect on a horse.
 
Queenbee said:
No practical training tips, but I would get him a sports massage, it should help relax and loosen him up. To date, I haven't seen a massage that has not had a significant positive effect on a horse.
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Ditto that along with daily stretching exercises with carrots or treats. Really does work :)
 
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