Horse pulling left xc!!

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I am having problems with my boy trying to pull us left xc. I think it is a napping issue and I think he is trying to take us back to the showground / start. He tends to do this within the first 6 fences but once settled is ok. He is a big strong chap and I have quite a strong bit in his mouth. I can slow him down if necessary but sometimes I can't keep him on the correct line and end up having to circle to be able to jump the next fence, I feel him pulling way before the fence and quite often after landing. I have seen some horses wearing sheepskin pads on one side of their cheekpieces and wonder if anyone has had experience with this as I don't want to go up to a stronger bit, his teeth, back, saddle, etc have been checked and are all ok but this has been happening for some time now and I really would like to stop it, any other suggestions much appreciated.
 
What about fitting a brush to the bit? The brush would fit on the left of the bit between the bit end and the outside of the mouth. If you start pulling riight agaist the horse going left it will prickle and be uncomfortable often detering them going in that direction. It is often something you need to use short term.
 
Hi
If its just the first few fences it sounds as you say like he's hanging back to the lorries, in which case I would think it's important to really ride him positively forward over the first few until he settles. With luck over time he'll get more into the habit of snapping straight into XC mode.

It sounds obvious too but keep a strong left leg and your stick in your left hand so you can use it for a reminder if he starts throwing his shoulder out. Interesting that you say he always pulls left - is the lorry park always to the left?! Or do you find he does this schooling as well? As it could be a straightness/stiffness issue. My mare does a similar thing the other way; I'm working on improving her straightness and evenness on both reins on the flat which I hope will help, plus in the short term I'm teaching her a bit of neck reining - you could try that as an additional directional aid on the left side, so you're not just hanging onto the right rein for steering which only helps them to throw the opposite shoulder out!
 
Forgot to say - what bit do you use? Fulmer cheeks might help too. I know you can get Waterfords and running gags (called Nelson gags) with fulmer cheeks to help with turning and steering.
 
I use a waterford gag with leather chin strap, I have tried riding him strongly to start with which makes it worse, I am better starting steady and controlled so he can't get away from me and then let him go once he has settled. I ride with my whip in my left hand and spurs, but once he makes up his mind to go I am stuffed, I have had him checked by a physio also and she can't find any problems. I really do think it is a hanging back / napping problem but his xc head doesn't kick in until we are almost half way round, also it doesn't matter how the course runs. Thing is he gets all excited in the start box and warming up but at about the 3rd/4th fence he starts to pull left but once you have overcome this he is a xc machine!!!
 
I used a Brush last year and beginning of this year worked a treat my horse would not turn right quickly he would just ignore me and I had loads of problems at off set fences or curves! Brush worked a treat. He is much better and no longer needs it. Bought mine from Rideaway for about a tenner.
 
Interesting reading this as this is exactly what mine did at the weekend. I also had spurs and whip in left hand and strong but a sideways canter that wouldnt have look out of place in a grand prix dressage test! Be interested to know if you get it sorted. How long have you been doing XC? Is he still green? Like yours mine went straight eventually but only after fence 4 by which time of course I'd been eliminated...!
 
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