How can i strengthen one side of my horses body?

trefnantblackknight

trefnantblackknight

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Hi my horse is alot weaker on his off side! To the point that he cann't get the right canter lead! - when he does he struggles to keep pace and quickly switches to his other leg - What kinds of things can i do to help 'even' him out on his off side?

Any help would be great?

Thank you xx :D

First five replies gets a free baby guinea pig ;)
 
Bendy work? Serpentines, circles of differing sizes, leg yielding, weaving on and off the track in trot.

Pretty sure someone far more experienced will have some better ideas but my mare is less inclined to work properly on the left rein and this is what we have been doing. Have seen some improvement. Better carriage on the left and less motorbiking but still a way off.....
 
Dont need a baby guinea pig:)

I always feel that in order to improve the weaker side you need to also strengthen the better side, use counter flexion on the good rein, do counter canter to improve overall balance and strength, also build confidence as much as you can, if they are worried or tense it will come through more on the weaker rein. Obviously still work on the weaker rein but not overdoing it.

I once heard it said you work on the horses strengths, good points and the rest will improve as you go and feel this is a good way to look at it, if you are always trying with the weaker points they lose confidence which is what you are trying to build in order for them to do well.
 
be positive said:
Dont need a baby guinea pig:)

I always feel that in order to improve the weaker side you need to also strengthen the better side, use counter flexion on the good rein, do counter canter to improve overall balance and strength, also build confidence as much as you can, if they are worried or tense it will come through more on the weaker rein. Obviously still work on the weaker rein but not overdoing it.

I once heard it said you work on the horses strengths, good points and the rest will improve as you go and feel this is a good way to look at it, if you are always trying with the weaker points they lose confidence which is what you are trying to build in order for them to do well.
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Are you sure? ;) I have a very cute black one with a white splodge over his eye?

Thank you i will start reading up on counter flexion/counter canter - i need this rain to stop so i can really start working him - i only have my own fields so no school :( - Thank you again :D
 
BP that sounds like very good advice :-)

What about also doing some basic groundwork exercises like carrot stretches & asking for sideways & backwards moves?
 
Billie1007 said:
Bendy work? Serpentines, circles of differing sizes, leg yielding, weaving on and off the track in trot.

Pretty sure someone far more experienced will have some better ideas but my mare is less inclined to work properly on the left rein and this is what we have been doing. Have seen some improvement. Better carriage on the left and less motorbiking but still a way off.....
Click to expand...

Thank you i need to find a dry field to do it in my fields are like swamps at the moment! :D but i was thinking that and maybe flexing his neck to the left and right etc and doing some shoulder ins ...
 
My horse is weaker one side (due to PSD lameness an other associated things) I am considering work on a water treadmill for him to strengthen him all over, my chiro says the results can be quite amazing. Its about £30 for a 20 min session near me, so its not cheap, but my vet said 20 mins on there is equivalent to 1 hours worth of trotting correctly.

Other than that I don't have a clue, other than riding them straight etc etc. Has your horse seen a physio or similar? They may have some issue that is restricting them using this side :)
 
I can vouch for the effectiveness of carrot stretches.

I did a couple of minutes each evening with my lopsided youngster when she was on box rest last winter, and I could see a vast improvement in her suppleness after just a week.
 
Stencilface said:
My horse is weaker one side (due to PSD lameness an other associated things) I am considering work on a water treadmill for him to strengthen him all over, my chiro says the results can be quite amazing. Its about £30 for a 20 min session near me, so its not cheap, but my vet said 20 mins on there is equivalent to 1 hours worth of trotting correctly.

Other than that I don't have a clue, other than riding them straight etc etc. Has your horse seen a physio or similar? They may have some issue that is restricting them using this side :)
Click to expand...

That sounds really good Cisco LOVES water - not rain though - just the sort he can swim in ;) i don't know if there are any near me i may need to go on google ! :D

I have been holding my whip - not that i ever use it its like my security blanket - in my left hand to get him to straighten out

The vet just said he was stronger on the one side - having had bad experiences from that side/expecting them - this was before xmas and all last summer thanks to some horrible children - but he is very calm etc now and just needed building up on the other side to even him out :)
 
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