I've got a grade A leaner! Any ideas... PLEASE!

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saskia295

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My boy has just turned 5 and is going great
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However, he has taken to leaning in a serious way on the right rein. So much so, my arm/shoulder wants to fall off every time I ride. I have tried just dropping him and picking him up again but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I've also tried constant give and retake but that doesn't seem to work either. I'm stuck!
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He's currently in a loose ring copper snaffle. I thought about trying a waterford but I didn't really want to put it in something so young. Has anyone got any other ideas or any exercises I could try to get the b*gger off the right rein?!
 
My mare leans on the left. My new Instructor has the idea of flexing her to the outside on the left rein and gradually straightening her.
Also trying to make her work longer and take the rein down has helped.

She says its due the fact i dont have her equal in the rein.
 
Definately remove any drop/flash.

Also the obvious tooth thing, at 5 he will be still shedding baby teeth and gaining new ones so this could esily be the problem if only checked recently.

Finally it takes 2 to pull, when the right is the outside rein just allow so you have an even contact on both reins, even if the circle get smaller.

When the right is the inside rein, make sure your left shoulder is in front of you right and look around the corner to help turn him, but keep the contact even down both reins.
 
My mare does exactly the same thing, i was told that she wasn't going forwards enough and as soon as i got her working more from behind she lightened on the reins, my instructor told me that you should keep your hands light so they don't have anything to lean on!! easier said then done as there is always the temptation there to hold her up, plenty of bending, transition and keeping his mind on the job rather than leaning on you may help?
 
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My boy has just turned 5 and is going great
smile.gif
However, he has taken to leaning in a serious way on the right rein. So much so, my arm/shoulder wants to fall off every time I ride. I have tried just dropping him and picking him up again but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I've also tried constant give and retake but that doesn't seem to work either. I'm stuck!
confused.gif


He's currently in a loose ring copper snaffle. I thought about trying a waterford but I didn't really want to put it in something so young. Has anyone got any other ideas or any exercises I could try to get the b*gger off the right rein?!

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If he's heavy on the right rein he is probably not engaging his right hind properly - so try to focus on active engagement of his right (and left) hinds rather than obsessing about the heaviness on the rein (it's hard when your shoulder aches
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Useful exercises would be;
1. Riding squares - asking him to step under himself on each corner.
2. Leg yielding, obviously from your right leg is best, but try to do both reins fairly evenly. Spiralling in from a 20m to a 15 or 10m circle, then leg yielding back out would be good.
3. Circles and serpentines - again, encourage him to move off your right leg.
4. Lunging with side reins on - you can watch and encourage him to work from behind more.
5. Hacking out - hillwork would strengthen his back end, and make him lighter in the forehand, as well as improving his balance.
6. Pole work - walk and trot poles to help teach him to flex his joints, and engage behind.

Periodically, try to give the right rein, but only when he already feels light in it. Make sure he moves sharply off your leg aids too...
Hope this helps
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i had this problem my boy felt at times i needed 2 hands on one rein, i got his back looked at, and hes neck was out.... maybe worth getting him checked out especially if hes actually carring the head/neck to oneside
 
Thanks everybody. I will try these things and try him without the flash.

His teeth were done in January so they are due to be checked in June so that's also something to think about. He does get off a bit after 30 mins of leg yielding each way and flexing to both sides.

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It sounds like you need to get more impulsion from behind, and lift him off his forehand that way, rather than trying to force him up with your hands or a different bit. I know its really hard (believe me, I have a leaner too) but you cant give them anything to lean against. When Domi started this trick (after returning to work after a break some years ago) i used to ride him in the school holding the reins at the buckle, his head on the floor practically! Driving him forward from my seat and legs to get his head up and lighten the forehand. It did work but every so often I have to use a waterford for a little "reminder" session. I would not want to use a waterford on a youngster either though! I also agree about taking off the noseband if hes in anything other than a cavesson. Assuming of course you have control that way, I would not want to hear that you took your flash off or something and got bolted
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Cassandra
 
Shilasdair - I could tick all your boxes apart from the lunging with side reins, I will give that a go. There's always something cropping up with babies isn't there?! Thanks so much for your suggestions, I will keep ploughing on.

jhoward - We had the back lady out about 6 weeks ago and she said he had pulled his right bum muscle (can't remember the technical name - sorry!) so that would make sense with what Shilsdair said (you clever thing!). She is due back in 2 weeks so I'll speak to her more about it then.

Thanks so much everybody, I really appreciate your help x
 
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I also agree about taking off the noseband if hes in anything other than a cavesson. Assuming of course you have control that way, I would not want to hear that you took your flash off or something and got bolted
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Thanks Cassandra, I have a lesson tonight so will give it a go without the flash. Trust me, he's done far worse things than bolt at the beginning!!!!!!! He's much saner now!
 
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Thanks everybody. I will try these things and try him without the flash.

His teeth were done in January so they are due to be checked in June so that's also something to think about. He does get off a bit after 30 mins of leg yielding each way and flexing to both sides.

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If he's quiet in his mouth, I would leave the flash on - presumably you initially needed it to stop him opening his mouth against you - if you take it off now, he'll just revert.
As for teething - he will have a 'full mouth' by 5yo, so won't be growing any new teeth...he could have sharp edges needing rasped.
If you are really concerned, check him for soundness on the right hind... is his pelvis symmetrical, does he have more muscle on one side than the other, etc.
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As for teething - he will have a 'full mouth' by 5yo, so won't be growing any new teeth...he could have sharp edges needing rasped.


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Not true in all cases my 5 year old had 2 baby teeth pulled by the dentist just 3 weeks ago as they were hanging on and has 2 more just about to go. These are the last one but still not all horses follow the book which said they should have gone at 4.5years

Also tushes can be developing at this age.
 
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Shilasdair - I could tick all your boxes apart from the lunging with side reins, I will give that a go. There's always something cropping up with babies isn't there?! Thanks so much for your suggestions, I will keep ploughing on.

jhoward - We had the back lady out about 6 weeks ago and she said he had pulled his right bum muscle (can't remember the technical name - sorry!) so that would make sense with what Shilsdair said (you clever thing!). She is due back in 2 weeks so I'll speak to her more about it then.


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Sorry, only just read this after I posted about pelvis etc - it sounds like he's not 100% sound yet - ask your back lady whether you should rest him a bit - or if she can suggest any exercises to help him heal.
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I second everything Shilsadair's said and it makes complete sense with what your back lady has said.
My girl used to lean terribly on the left rein- so much so that I got nerve damage in my arm. After getting her back looked at by a chiro it turns out she wasn't using her left hind properly hence the leaning.
So would definately say its down to his pulled bum muscle.
Back lady advised me two weeks of hill work and to leave of schooling for two weeks.
 
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