Help Needed With my Unbendy Pony

[kbsaff]

I broke my 4 1/2 year old pony last year and he has been going well, we have concentrated on moving forwards and basic commands etc. which he has taken to brilliantly.
The last few months, I have upped the anti, asking for more of a contact and outline.
On the right rein, his outline is stunning, he strides out and carries himself beautifully, however, on the left rein, he flexes to the outside and hangs on my left arm. I don't feel that I can school him for long on the left rein as my arm aches so much where he is hanging on it. It's so frustrating he just will not bend left.
People have recommended the "carrot" flexion practice with him before riding, but I don't want to get into the habit of giving him treats as he is a bit of a nipper anyway.
His back, tack and teeth have been checked and were all fine.
I am thinking that i need someone to come out, be it a riding instructor or and experienced rider as I am not sure if it is my riding that is causing the problem.
Please help me so that i can start enjoying my pony again.

 

[dianchi]

Lots of schooling im afraid and swapping from one flexion to the other. I ride centre lines with 10m circles to the left and right to help loosen them up.
Also shallow loops will help!
And it most likely that it is the babyness then your riding!

 

[vicm2509]

My horse was exactly the same, my right arm used to ache so badly after riding. He would tilt his nose rather than bend. My instructor said that my arm ached as I was constantly holding onto him trying to get him to bend. She got me to give and take with the rein all time and it worked. He still doesnt flex as much that was as the other but he has stopped pulling on my arm.

I use carrots to encourage flexion. Rather than hold a carrot there for him I encourage him to bend then gave the carrot. Now I do it without carrots and he still knows what I am asking. I also get him to flex down so his head is between his legs. He just lacked lateral flexion, he is now going much better. Rather than concentrating on bending all the time concentrate on giving with your hand all the time so instead of him relying on you holding him there he will learn to flex into the contact rather than against it.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[em1]

I'm sure it's not you, but agree that lessons with someone who can tell you exactly what to do will really help. Most youngsters have one rein that they are more stiff on.
Have you had his back checked? -I know everyone recommends this but if he has any back problems then that will really affect how well he can bend.
Things to practice:
Try giving the inside rein to him so that he has nothing to hang on to. Keep the outside contact but give & retake the inside rein.
Practice getting him to move away from your inside leg on both reins - e.g. turn down the long side a little off the track and then push him back over to the track with your leg - eventually aiming to turn this into a leg yield back to the track.
In halt - ask him to flex his head to the left - bending it at the jaw line. When he does it, give him a rub on the withers with the left hand, to tell him well done (this also has the effect of making you give him the contact) Then you can try this in walk & eventually trot. Repeat with the right rein as well obviously so that you are not doing everything on his bad rein.
Carry a short whip on the inside & give him a little tap on the inside shoulder - not to tell him off but just as a reminder that you are trying to get him to bend to the inside.
The above are all things that helped me with my youngster, but I do think the most useful was lessons because my instructor gave me loads of help plus ideas of things to go away and practice.
Finally - keep trying! You might feel that you are not getting anywhere but he will suddenly start to improve!

 

[kbsaff]

Thanks for your comments, I will have a go tonight. You are right em1, I do feel like I am geting no where.

Yesterday, i tried riding down the centre line and circling on both reins as I went. but when i try a circle on the left rein, it's like trying to steer a piece of wood and we end up with more of a turn on the back hand than a circle. We seem to loose all forward motion.

I tried to "refresh" yesterday whilst i was on him and let go of the reins and pick them back up and start again. I gave him his head so he had nothing to hang on to and he was like a boat with one oar, we went round in circles to the right!

Does anyone know a good instructor on the Berks/ Bucks Border? To be honest, it doesn't even have to be any instructor, just an experienced and fresh pair of eyes.

 

[em1]

Also - have you tried holding the reins away from his neck and low down so that you can show him exactly where you want him to go? This can help with a youngster as a short term measure.

 

[0ldmare]

I do so understand as I posted an almost identical 'problem' with my youngster. Rest assured you are not alone!

 

[kbsaff]

Ok, So i rode Lennox last night. As I was walking, i was giving and taking with my left rein. Then i halted and made him bend his neck towards me on both sides. This took a little more pursuation on the left as at first he resisted, but after a while he bent.

Whilst walking down the straight, I did circles on both reins.
I think(!) i felt some difference, he wasn't really flexing as such, but his nose wasn't stuck out to the right. And my arm didn't hurt! yay.

We only walked, and i think i will do the same tonight. I want to perfect our walk before we try trotting.

Thanks so much for every one's commments. Any further advise on Instructors in my area would be very helpful.