how would you correct this..even people that back horses could help!

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Megibo

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Due to a back problem my mare goes round on the right rein with her head held to the left and she falls in, leaning on my left hand-I think that is the term, she feels very heavy in it and unless i hold it alot shorter than the right rein she comes in.
The back problem is fixed but she now has 'set' in the way of going and have been told she will need to 'unlearn' this behaviour.

Would holding the rein she leans on loose help so she cant lean on it? And apply lots of inside leg/do lots of circles help and encourage her to carry her head correctly on the right rein. When doing carrot stretches she can reach her stifle both sides. What do you think, Thanks in advance
 
I correct then drop the contact then collect then drop the contact. That way she learns not to lean on the rein but is regularly corrected. Watch the 1 st few times that u don't actually drop it as if she's learning badly she may trip.
 
flexing along the fence line for guidance, walk straight and ask her to flex towards the fence, then bring her head back straight and then flex her to the inside of the school but still walking straight. You need to do this regulary in short bursts .

Also just stand and flex her making sure that you give the rein fully on the opposite side of the flex. She may walk in circles to start with but when she gets the idea she should be ok. Again do every day for short periods.

When riding her in a circle you need to maintain an even and constant feel on the outside rein, lift and give with the inside rein slightly and use your body and inside leg to push her into the outside contact. Doing the above excercises should help.
 
TicTac said:
flexing along the fence line for guidance, walk straight and ask her to flex towards the fence, then bring her head back straight and then flex her to the inside of the school but still walking straight. You need to do this regulary in short bursts .

Also just stand and flex her making sure that you give the rein fully on the opposite side of the flex. She may walk in circles to start with but when she gets the idea she should be ok. Again do every day for short periods.

When riding her in a circle you need to maintain an even and constant feel on the outside rein, lift and give with the inside rein slightly and use your body and inside leg to push her into the outside contact. Doing the above excercises should help.
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I dont have a school so cannot do the first one. May be moving to a yard with a school but that wont be for a while. Anyway, I will definitely try the other two you suggested thankyou. :)
May sound a stupid question but should I keep up doing an even amount of work on both reins so that she stays supple and maintains muscle for the left rein or would that 'overbuild' her left rein muscles? does that made sense :confused:
 
Only schooling will fix your problem. DUe to her back problems her muscles will be tight/stiff/contracted/weak and need to be gently stretched on a regular basis.

First find the size of circle she is happy to work on with her body and neck bent correctly in the direction she is going. This is the point where you start your schooling for the next few days.

Lots of circles, loops and serpentines ensuring that the bend is not more than what she is happy to give. Change rein across the straight - such as diagonal as this allows her contracted muscles (inside of the circle) to stretch and get ready to be on the outside of the circle.

When she has warmed up well slightly reduce the size of the circle, loops and serpentines so that you encourage her to stretch herself correctly around the shape. You will need to spend slightly more time on the stiffer side just to help the muscles rebuild.

Each time you ride and school you will be able to reduce the size of the shape of the curve. Don't force the issue as you will only cause her discomfort. Take your time - the unbalanced muscle will eventually build up and become more supple.
 
I would keep working both reins coz she'll find the stiff one hard so the other will be a nice break for her and keep her supple.
 
This is an old trick I was taught by a couple of top trainers, Dick Stillwell and Eddie Goldman, when a horse tilts it head to take your reins in the opposite hands, left rein right hand right rein left hand, so they cross over the withers. You also hold your hands the wrong way round so that the rein from the bit goes down through between your thumb and forefinger. You ride like this but when circling or on corners you still bring your hand away from the neck so there are times when your hands are actually crossing your body.

I do not know why but it does work!

Another thing to do is to get her turning on her haunches in hand so that she brings her hind leg right under her. Both ways. This will help her to realise that she is no longer sore.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
This is an old trick I was taught by a couple of top trainers, Dick Stillwell and Eddie Goldman, when a horse tilts it head to take your reins in the opposite hands, left rein right hand right rein left hand, so they cross over the withers. You also hold your hands the wrong way round so that the rein from the bit goes down through between your thumb and forefinger. You ride like this but when circling or on corners you still bring your hand away from the neck so there are times when your hands are actually crossing your body.

I do not know why but it does work!

Another thing to do is to get her turning on her haunches in hand so that she brings her hind leg right under her. Both ways. This will help her to realise that she is no longer sore.
Click to expand...

huh, that does sound interesting! is the aim of that to encourage her to hold her head the correct way..? sounds like it's worth a go-i'll try the exercises that have been suggested and see how it goes. physiotherapist said it will take months but usually she's turned away for winter so may do a bit of work until September and then restart in spring.
 
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