Horse locking head left

[greenbean10]

I am lucky enough to have a few horses to jump and have noticed that when jumping on the right rein (so where there is a right turn after the jump), they lock their heads to the left after the jump and either struggle to get a change if they're on the wrong lead, or go round the corner quite uncomfortably. They also really want to fall in around the corner, and on one of the horses I sometimes feel as though I'm going to topple off as he locks his head so badly and dives right.

I know the problem is me! I think I must be so worried about them falling in that I lock my left arm and pull them left, and perhaps I am now scared to let them bend properly in case they dive right and I can't get to the next jump as they've cut off the corner. But it makes the corner horrible to ride anyway!

Does anyone have any exercises I could do to help this? Or any advice at all? I think I need to be softer with my right shoulder, keep my right leg on and try to establish a bend right, but whenever I try this both horses still cut the corner off...plus I struggle to do this after a jump.

This only really happens jumping but I know lots of flatwork exercises will also help. I am considering jumps on a circle to try to keep my positioning to the right, and also just putting some blocks out so that the horses can't cut the corner. Other than this I am a bit lost!

ETA I can show videos if that will help anyone to understand what I mean.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

Grid work, where you knot the reins and jump with your arms out to the side may help your position so you don't hang on the reins, and also to see what the horse does with their head and neck without the rider's interference (I mean that in the nicest possible way!).

Do you see a chiropractor or a physio? They will be able to see if you are misaligned or tight in certain areas that may be affecting your riding.

 

[Red-1]

I would make sure the horse corners correctly on the flat. I know you think he does, but likely when you are on the flat, you are on the outer track. So, I would set some tram line poles (where the fences would be)down on the line of your jumping course and see how that goes, with no jumps. Aldo make sure he will do good downward transitions, so not diving on the forehand, and direct transitions (canter/walk).

If that is all genuinely good, put a canter pole where the jump is and ignore it, allowing it to be part of the canter. The horse is likely dipping in as he is losing the canter after the fence, could be because he is rushing, could be because you are not balanced, but ride the canter pole as if it is not there and insist the corner is the same too.

If the diving does occur (it is likely to even over a pole if it is an ingrained habit for the pair of you), then do a downward transition canter/walk before the corner. After a few repetitions, the horse will anticipate the downwards transition and start to sit up in preparation and therefore re-balance. The horse will walk round the corner in good, correct bend and strike back into canter. As he gets more in tune with the exercise, then you can ask for a re-balance instead of an actual transition, but if he does not comply then do the direct transition.

 

[greenbean10]

Grid work, where you knot the reins and jump with your arms out to the side may help your position so you don't hang on the reins, and also to see what the horse does with their head and neck without the rider's interference (I mean that in the nicest possible way!).

Do you see a chiropractor or a physio? They will be able to see if you are misaligned or tight in certain areas that may be affecting your riding.

Thank you for your reply! That's a really good idea. I have loose jumped them both and they don't do it, so I definitely know it's me blocking them with my hand.

I haven't seen a physio but probably should! Maybe this can be my next step when lockdown is over. I do pilates to try to strengthen myself up but I have always been very left dominated so perhaps it's become a bit of a vicious cycle.

 

[greenbean10]

I would make sure the horse corners correctly on the flat. I know you think he does, but likely when you are on the flat, you are on the outer track. So, I would set some tram line poles (where the fences would be)down on the line of your jumping course and see how that goes, with no jumps. Aldo make sure he will do good downward transitions, so not diving on the forehand, and direct transitions (canter/walk).

If that is all genuinely good, put a canter pole where the jump is and ignore it, allowing it to be part of the canter. The horse is likely dipping in as he is losing the canter after the fence, could be because he is rushing, could be because you are not balanced, but ride the canter pole as if it is not there and insist the corner is the same too.

If the diving does occur (it is likely to even over a pole if it is an ingrained habit for the pair of you), then do a downward transition canter/walk before the corner. After a few repetitions, the horse will anticipate the downwards transition and start to sit up in preparation and therefore re-balance. The horse will walk round the corner in good, correct bend and strike back into canter. As he gets more in tune with the exercise, then you can ask for a re-balance instead of an actual transition, but if he does not comply then do the direct transition.

Thank you, yes you are right I do just go round the edge and thinking about it even then I sometimes struggle a little with that right turn, but jumping really exacerbates it. I will definitely work on that exercise with the tramlines today and if that goes well then the canter pole.

I have practised halting after the jump before and I do find it very helpful so I need to do that more. The only thing is I find I have to be very strong with my hand and body to get the halt transition (especially after a bigger jump), and I am torn between trying to do this (so riding very strong after a fence) or just trying to be as soft as possible after the jump instead of blocking. But actually the halt after the jump REALLY helps and I suppose the more you do it the less strong you have to be. And it will help me get them really into the corners as it's so much easier in walk!

Lots to think about and work on , thank you!