Horse turning in on the left rein

[Rootsinriding]

Hey everyone, I’ve asked about this before however didn’t really get to the root of the issue and things only seem to be getting worse. I am currently loaning a horse who although will go almost perfectly on her own, anytime I’m in the arena with someone else she will refuse to go on the left rein and will yank my shoulder and turn in, to the point I can’t even get her on the track. I’ve already asked the owner about pain as I though it was really weird that it was only on the left however they have said it was purely behavioural and that the horse is instead taking advantage of me. I had someone take a look at her and they said that her hind end is under muscled which could be causing unbalance and making her want to turn in, side note: she does have a bad left hind leg which swells up frequently but is under control atm with cold hosing and exercise. Honestly sick of fighting with her on the daily because I’m not winning, does anyone have any thoughts on why she’s turning in/ how to prevent it?

 

[HeyMich]

If the owners aren't interested in getting a vet out to see a pony who is obviously struggling, then I'm sorry to say I'd be looking for a new loan pony.

Unfortunately I'm speaking from experience too. I had a loan years and years ago who I thought was 'off' for a variety of reasons, the owners weren't interested so I ploughed on... Got thrown quite spectacularly and ended up having 3 operations on my shoulder as a direct result. Lo and behold, the horse had issues, which were then diagnosed and treated.

 

[Rootsinriding]

If the owners aren't interested in getting a vet out to see a pony who is obviously struggling, then I'm sorry to say I'd be looking for a new loan pony.

Unfortunately I'm speaking from experience too. I had a loan years and years ago who I thought was 'off' for a variety of reasons, the owners weren't interested so I ploughed on... Got thrown quite spectacularly and ended up having 3 operations on my shoulder as a direct result. Lo and behold, the horse had issues, which were then diagnosed and treated.

Yeah I hear you, I think I’m going to ask to get a second opinion as I don’t think horses just decided to not go on one rein. I initially thought it was behavioural just to get out of work as she’s an ex riding school horse and they’re good at that but it’s got to the point where she’ll literally yank my arms off just to turn in. She’s a saint on the right rein too and will do anything I ask which is why I think signs are pointing to pain.

 

[Bernster]

Hmm, the swelling hind leg is a red flag to me. Sounds like horse needs some vet attention. I wouldn’t want to ride until I knew pain had been ruled out.

 

[Rootsinriding]

Hmm, the swelling hind leg is a red flag to me. Sounds like horse needs some vet attention. I wouldn’t want to ride until I knew pain had been ruled out.

The vet has been out to look at the leg a couple times as it’s an ongoing thing and is only due to being stabled all the time as it’s winter and we’re not allowed the fields. She’s not in pain regarding her leg it just seems to swells up from time to time

 

[ycbm]

The vet has been out to look at the leg a couple times as it’s an ongoing thing and is only due to being stabled all the time as it’s winter and we’re not allowed the fields. She’s not in pain regarding her leg it just seems to swells up from time to time

I can't believe this, I'm sorry. The pony turns in to the left. When it's kept in its left hind leg and only its left hind leg swells up.

This pony has an issue, it's just that nobody has found out what it is yet. It is very abnormal for only one leg of a pair to fill if a horse is kept in.
.

 

[Rootsinriding]

I can't believe this, I'm sorry. The pony turns in to the left. When it's kept in its left hind leg and only its left hind leg swells up.

This pony has an issue, it's just that nobody has found out what it is yet. It is very abnormal for only one leg of a pair to fill if a horse is kept in.
.

Thank you, I’m just glad I’m not going crazy as no one seemed to agree with me. Will definitely push to get her looked at again.

 

[lamlyn2012]

I would not be happy with the vet's explanation and would suspect there definitly is something untoward going on here. Am sorry.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

If it weren’t for the swollen leg I’d say it could be lack of muscle. My mare had a very obvious weaker rein when I first got her and she would fall in heavily. But the fact she has a swollen leg is a huge red flag and if the owner isn’t going to do anything about it I’d also be looking for a new loan.

 

[BaronSamedi]

I initially thought it was behavioural just to get out of work as she’s an ex riding school horse and they’re good at that

No, that’s not how a horses mind works. There is always always a reason. Usually pain/discomfort

 

[maddielove]

This is the same type of behaviour my mare exhibited before she was diagnosed with hock arthritis (turning in on the right rein when asked to halt, right hock arthritic only) it could be something as simple as this. If the swelling and behaviour has been exacerbated by being stabled full time this winter I would also take this as a sign of potential arthritis.

Echoing others if owner isn't willing to have a lameness workup with xrays I would walk away unfortunately.

 

[Wishfilly]

How long have you been loaning her, and what's in your loan agreement with vet bills? If you really love the horse, and want to continue the loan, could you suggest paying for a lameness work up yourself?

Although, really, it sounds like this situation is going to only lead to heartbreak, so it might be best to find another horse to loan instead.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hey everyone, I’ve asked about this before however didn’t really get to the root of the issue and things only seem to be getting worse. I am currently loaning a horse who although will go almost perfectly on her own, anytime I’m in the arena with someone else she will refuse to go on the left rein and will yank my shoulder and turn in, to the point I can’t even get her on the track. I’ve already asked the owner about pain as I though it was really weird that it was only on the left however they have said it was purely behavioural and that the horse is instead taking advantage of me. I had someone take a look at her and they said that her hind end is under muscled which could be causing unbalance and making her want to turn in, side note: she does have a bad left hind leg which swells up frequently but is under control atm with cold hosing and exercise. Honestly sick of fighting with her on the daily because I’m not winning, does anyone have any thoughts on why she’s turning in/ how to prevent it?

Sounds like the owner needs to sort it.

starting out with a youngster I would lead him back on circle every time he turns in and halt then ask him to walk and halt again and repeat with the aid of someone on out side to help. In this case sounds like there is an issue..

 

[stormox]

Which hand do you carry your whip in? I would carry mine on the inside and give a gentle tap on the shoulder if she tried to turn in while keeping a contact on the outside rein, outside leg just behind the girth and inside leg on the girth.
That is assuming all medical issues have been ruled out.

 

[Rootsinriding]

Sounds like the owner needs to sort it.

starting out with a youngster I would lead him back on circle every time he turns in and halt then ask him to walk and halt again and repeat with the aid of someone on out side to help. In this case sounds like there is an issue..

This is what I do with her when she’s on her own and she will eventually listen after a few circles and stop attempting to turn in, however when there’s someone else in the arena everything goes out the window. She will totally refuse to listen and instead will pull my arms out and refuse to even turn her head anywhere near the track. This is why the owner says it’s behavioural as it’s 10 times worse when there’s someone there, but I just don’t understand that as if that’s the case, why does she work foot perfect on the right rein?

 

[TotalMadgeness]

My young connie did the turning in thing (to the right) & it was caused by a stifle issue, worse in his right hind. He had other symptoms which were a bit vague and intermittent like stumbling on his hind end, dragging hind toes, poor downward transitions from canter to trot and muscle wastage. To be honest he was investigated for all sorts before the vet eventually thought 'stifle' because it wasn't clear cut (no heat/swelling or lameness). Bottom line your poor loan pony needs investigation/xrays. I really doubt this is bad behaviour. Good luck!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

This is what I do with her when she’s on her own and she will eventually listen after a few circles and stop attempting to turn in, however when there’s someone else in the arena everything goes out the window. She will totally refuse to listen and instead will pull my arms out and refuse to even turn her head anywhere near the track. This is why the owner says it’s behavioural as it’s 10 times worse when there’s someone there, but I just don’t understand that as if that’s the case, why does she work foot perfect on the right rein?

I think you and the owner are focusing too much on this turning in business. At the end of the day the pony has an inflammation that has an unknown cause. If it was my horse they wouldn't be worked until I knew why.

Find the cause, fix it and then see where you are with the turning in. Or walk away.

 

[Chinchilla]

I think you need to stop riding until the cause of the swelling has been identified. Unilateral swelling not due to some physiological issue would be pretty unusual.