Horse leaning to one side.

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polo123

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I have had my horse for nearly 8 months, she was bought from a home which the ménage had no sides so not sure if it was a missed problem or new. When on the left rein she clings to the fence (resulting in lots of bruises for rider!) her saddle, teeth and back have all been checked. She is absolutely fine on the other rein, have tried a whip in the outside hand, spur just on outside leg and different riders but nothing seems to have helped. Has anyone got any suggestions?
 
This is quite a normal green horse thing! Work on an inner track for now, really focusing on keeping her straight. Getting her doing a decent leg yield both ways will help too!
 
Following. I had this to a degree, it's improving but still a work I progress. It could be a case of falling out through the shoulder, so lots of focus on keeping straight but tbh I'd try and get lessons as that's what's helped me. We do lots of work off the track, using weight and rein aid to catch the shoulder and get his hind leg under him (as if they are falling out they are probably also not pushing straight through from behind), bit of lateral work, turn on the forehand, pole work. Lots of things basically to strength pen and balance the horse.
 
Pigeon said:
This is quite a normal green horse thing! Work on an inner track for now, really focusing on keeping her straight. Getting her doing a decent leg yield both ways will help too!
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It is a normal green horse thing but not usual to be so seriously one sided that the rider ends up against the fence, that it is not improved quickly by a different more experienced rider or that there is not something found by a physio to show why they are so stiff on one rein, I have had a few come in that are one sided but they are usually quickly straightened up enough to be rideable on the more difficult rein even if it does need ongoing corrective work.

To me this horse must be showing some lateral stiffness so I would get a second opinion from a ACPAT physio, then I would be working to get the horse working straight on both reins on the inner track, plenty of work to get her stretching her left side, stretching to the right rather than what she is probably doing now hollowing to the left and dropping her right shoulder out, I would ride on an outside/ right flexion on the left rein to help correct her tendency to hollow and also ensure she is flexing correctly when on the right rein and not just dropping into a pretty but false outline, using lots of leg yielding and spirals always making sure she is staying in front of the leg.

My final thought would be to get her eyes tested, I had one many years ago that ran against the school wall rather a lot that could not see properly so just did not know it was there.
 
I have a similar problem with my youngster, he falls out through his left shoulder . In our lessons we've used 2 poles set off the track for us to pass through and blocks scattered around the fence line to keep us away. I've also been to see a physio as I felt the problem was me. It turns out I was right 😔 I am very right side dominant. I'd suggest maybe have some lessons and get your instructor to have a look at your position as well. We had a lesson yesterday and it was much better.
 
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