Hard mouth???

[TequilaMist]

Any cures?My mare(warmblood ) leans heavily on right rein always has done and appears to have a hard mouth on this side.Its like bending a lump of wood. Left rein is fine.Have had teeth/back etc/saddle/ all checked recently and advised nothing wrong.
Just getting tired of always having a 'fight' with her on that rein and tbh prob have always seen it as my riding at fault even tho others who have occasionally ridden her find the same and she has done this since we got her 4 yrs ago.
Will take some of the blame but not all now tbh.
You think you're getting somewhere then she sort of goes 'no not doing it' and we are back to lean/stick nose out but only on left rein and you feel nothing at mouth but a solid block!!!
Aaaaaargh!
Any suggestions

 

[jumpthemoon]

It sounds like she's slightly stiffer to one side. The hanging on the rein will just serve to build up unwanted muscle and make her even more stiff on that rein. You have to be really disciplined and not hold on to her (it takes two to pull). it would be well worth getting some lessons with a good dressage instructor who can help you make the shift from the way your partnership is currently working and put you on a path towards correcting the issues.

Good luck

 

[Suziq77]

Just a thought - have you also had yourself checked by an osteopath? I know I'm quite one sided so I have the same person work on me and my horses, the difference it makes is really noticeable. You could both inadvertantly be encouraging each other.

 

[TequilaMist]

Thanks.
I am having lessons with a local dressage trainer (grand prix level)and to be fair to the mare she has come on leaps and bounds in certain areas-stopped rearing,can now stop her in a snaffle at any pace tho canter is still dodgy after a stride or two after asking but better than whole arena we were getting last year and more balanced.Instructor has said about not holding her up but does agree horse does talk you into an argument about it.
Will try harder re right hand not holding her.

 

[TequilaMist]

Suziq
Have been to chiropractor lately and said not bad tho WII fit board says more weight on right side than left.Would an Oesteopath see it differently???
I don't think I help situation as do have a health issue that gives me balance probs/pains so may that but don't want to blame that for bad riding.

 

[jsr]

Well as I'm the only person who's ridden my cob in 7 years he has exactly the same issue!! He's so heavy on the right rein...and I've got dislocated shoulder on my right, fractured elbow and little finger on my right!! My instructor screams at me to drop my left shoulder cos I always raise it to compensate for the weakness in my right ! I know damn right it's me who's made him that way! I'm just extreamly lucky he's got an amazingly strong back because everytime the physio comes out to him (I have him done every 6 months) he is always straight and strong!! Shouldn't be considering the rider!!