Horse uneven in ckntavt

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sjdress

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Hi, after some advise.
My horse wil it take the rig contact, making her very heavy in my left hand. She is weak on her right hind so I think this is causing the crookedness. With help from my trainer we are doing lots of lateral work to help her; shoulder in, leg yield etc but just wondered if anyone had any more advice? I think I have made a bit of an issue out of it which has not helped either!
 
I don't know if you have already done so, but I would find out why she is weak in the right hind. If it is something like arthritis or ligament/muscle then lateral work won't help. Would also have dentist check mouth if not already done. Get your instructor to also check that you are not riding crooked or taking up a stronger contact with one rein than the other (most people are either right or left-handed and it does affect the horse).

Otherwise, the best way I have found for strengthening and straightening is to walk up and down hills (not letting horse come down sideways). Build up the steepness gradually and remember that walking down is very hard work for the muscles too.
Good luck
 
Agree with wkiwi, I'd do the basic checks first and then work on strengthening exercises. My boy is slightly weaker on his left hind, have had various checks, chiro which really helped, and the rest is lots of hacking to build him up and working on straightness in the school - both my position and his suppleness. We do lots of bendy work, no straight lines, and changing the shape and direction regularly, transitions, getting him to step through from behind. Takes time but he's improved loads in the last 6 months.
 
Unfortunately I've only had this twice, both horses eventually went lame on the opposite hind to where I couldn't get a contact :(
 
She has had teeth, back etc checked and been treated by the physio. She has an old injury in her right hind which I think might now be the cause of this. I am currently using a tens machine and regular physio, alo9ng with the schooling exercises. Failing that I will get the vet back out.
We have great hacking so do lots of hill work but unfortunately this time of year means I hack less :(
 
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