Heavy in one hand? Help!

[Lippyx]

Whilst schooling one of the riding schools babies (who I adore BTW!) I noticed she was leaning on my left hand, which petty much meant she almost ignoring that particular aid.
I'm worried that because its the left side, its me, rather than her (I am VERY much a right hand person!!) What exercises can I do and get her to do, to get her lighter on that side?

I did notice though that once she had worked in for about 1/2 hr, she was becoming lighter.

Many thanks!!

 

[Ezme]

Have you had her back looked at? I was at hartpury and the horse I was on was leaning heavilly on one hand but seemed ok untll we went into canter..... he explosivly bolted, bucked, span, kicked and generally went mental. The instructor to this day doesn't know how I stayed on! She said she certainly wouldn't and she was a BHSII who competed highly! Anyway after this happened a couple of times (and I still stayed on JUST!) we got another rider on then the horse went on "the vet list." Turned out he'd buggered his back and needed a few months off! Don't want to scare but its a possibility

 

[Cliqmo]

Could be a problem with his back or teeth, if they lightened after warming up it might be useful to do some carrot stretches before you start the lesson to help them

http://www.jennyhadland.co.uk/html/carrot_stretches.html

 

[Lippyx]

Ummm, its an idea. I have never noticed her heavy on this before, and the problem I have is although she is used for "advanced" riders, I wouldn't say they were the sort of riders who concerntrate on ho te horse is going, so she could have had someone on her that was heavy/pulling more on that side.
I am riding her again on Tues, so am going to see if she is the same again!

 

[Lippyx]

Thanks for the link Ali, some really helpful tips there. I might give them a go before I ride her next!

 

[spaniel]

If you can rule out teeth and back I would suggest that if she is leaning or hanging onto your left rein that you drop that rein totally to encourage her to balance herself rather than using you to balance her.

 

[Lippyx]

Thanks Spaniel, it probably is a balance thing, as she is only a baby, and is very wibbly wobbly!!

 

[Booboos]

I would use loads of left leg and if the problem can't be solved through schooling, i.e. it's very difficult to get her off that rein, do consider whether it is a back or back legs problem (I've had a horse with a back problem who did this and one with stiffle problems).