horse unbalanced - next course of action?

Stinkbomb

Stinkbomb

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2007
Messages
3,974
Location
Cloud cookoo..
goldenoakmochachino.blogspot.com
Inky is very unbalanced in canter on the lunge, however only on the left rein. On the right rein he is great he uses himself correctly and always canters on the correct leg. However turn him round and he is a nightmare. He WILL NOT canter on the correct leg, has no imlpulsion and basically canters with very short strides. It just looks uncomfortable. I have free lunged him with no rope and although he has impulsion when not on the rope he still will not canter on the correct leg on the left rein?

He is not unsound in anyway and in any other pace works well. Im worried that there maybe a problem thats causing him to do this, whether its his back or not?? Any ideas??

Im reluctant to call a vet because as i say he is not lame and there is nothing to see, and doesnt seem to be in any pain just uncomfortable on one rein. Do i get the vet or do i opt for a specialist starting with his back??? Ive never had a problem with backs and really dont know who to start with. there seem to be so many out there, physios, mctimothy and equine touch??where do i start??
 
I would look for a qualified physio or chiro Im sorry but I am not a great believer in some of these so called specialists who do a few weeks or months of training and then off they go treating our animals

where are you ?

I would only use a chiropractor registered with Veterinary association qualifications

http://www.ivca.de/eng/index.php?ueberuns

I use Anna Hindley
 
How old?
What stage of training?
Has he always done it?
What breed (trotter/standardbred for example?)
 
Try one half of a low cross pole jump in the corner of the school (i.e., wing in corner with pole from jump cup to ground) and long rein over it to give you an idea of whether he just has the wrong lead fixed in his head or whether you can persuade him to change legs, as he lands ask for the canter, worked a treat with my youngster. Sometimes they just get fixed on using 1 leg for everything.

If he is then lame/awkward/stiff when using the correct lead you know you have a problem. Many horses are incorrect and look odd. Correct timing with your schooling when you ask for the canter on the ground can help, if he is really lame it will show up as you work him and will give you an idea of whether you need to chat to a vet.
 
Last edited:
cptrayes said:
How old?
What stage of training?
Has he always done it?
What breed (trotter/standardbred for example?)
Click to expand...

He is 5. not ridden only longreined, lunged and free lunged, started probably about month ago but thought he just couldnt get the idea of the right leg. he is miniature horse :)

thanks BethH will try that. Its very hard to encourage the right leg becasue he cant be ridden and im trying to do it all from the ground.
 
Stinkbomb said:
He is 5. not ridden only longreined, lunged and free lunged, started probably about month ago but thought he just couldnt get the idea of the right leg.
Click to expand...


Awwww, how cute is that?! I was thinking of lunging my own tiny soon.

At that age and stage of training most horses are pretty one-sided, and I think that I remember, not sure, that they are more often stiffer to the right. Some people think that's because of the way that they curl inside the mare as a foal.

My nearly five, recently broken is much stiffer on the right rein. I had another youngster who would "bunny hop" the back legs in canter left. With him, it was simply a question of building his strength.

I would take the advice to try to get the canter strike over a pole, it's worked wonders with ridden horses that I have had.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top