Leaning when ridden

Damnation

Damnation

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My mare is rising 5, I warm her up using long and low but when I pick her up to do more on the bit work she just leans. She naps out on hacks (she spins around) so I need a fulmer type bit. I have tried various schooling exercises to stop her from leaning and have tried riding on the buckle for a while but no joy. I was thinking a Waterford fulmer bit, but how harsh are they? Poutu is only in an eggbutt fulmer french link. Any suggestions?
 
Are you having lessons?
In your position, I would be asking for a second opinion before going down the changing bit route.
 
I have had several people ride her, all of whom are better than me at riding and a very good instructor, they have all had no joy, people have been mentioning waterfords for horses that lean, but I don't want to put something harsh into her mouth.
 
Hi,
My 5 year old is very similar so I sympathise, it's not easy when they lean! Missie was actually diagnosed with bone spavin so it's not surprising she was so on her forehand as her hocks must have been hurting, but that said it is her natural tendency anyway. In my experience changing bits has only a limited effect on her leaning - I've tried double link, single link, Myler, you name it! In the end I have settled on a NS verbindend loose ring pony bit which has a slim 10mm mouthpiece, and she seems to go best in this. Look at her mouth conformation - Missie has a small mouth with a large tongue and is much better in a slimmer mouthpiece, and she will find it less comfortable to lean on it too as it has a thinner weight-bearing surface. If she needs cheeks how about a 'proper' fulmer (ie. it has cheeks and then a circular loose ring behind that) - as opposed to a simple full cheek.

It might be worth trying a Waterford (I have just ordered one to try on Missie for hacking and jumping), but I don't think you should rely on it for schooling, yes if she gets strong out hacking it might be helpful, but at her age there is no substitute for schooling. I know you say you've been working on schooling exercises, well keep at it, it takes time and she is still very young so will take a while to build up the correct muscles to be able to carry herself behind, which will then make her lighter in front. Do plenty of transitions, half halts and introduce lateral work if you haven't already. Try not to have a dead hand with her when she's leaning, play with the bit to try and keep it more mobile and if it helps you could try chucking the rein at her every time she starts to lean too much. It's just a question of seeing what works for her. But stick at it, it will take time to improve! If you can get lessons too I'm sure it'll help you both.

good luck!
 
Transitions, transitions and more transitions. Within the pace and changing the pace.
Lots of changes of rein and circles, shallow loops etc.
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Yep, definatly downward transitions followed by reinback... wond be long before she figures it is hard to be on the forehandand then walk backwards!

another i have tried is lunging in the passoa as they have to support themselves, especially on the smaller circles.

with regards to waterfords, i havent found them to be too severe, though my girl is very respective of anything in her mouth so we dont have too many battles anyway. They suit my girl as she has sarcoids in her mouth and as it is a chain it sits better and she dosnt have the uncomftable nutcracker action.
 
My old mare used to lean when I brought her an dwas in a waterford gag. I put her in a loose ring french link and with schooling she improved. I wouldn't go the waterford route for general schooling if you can avoid it as it may be difficult to switch back. If you don't have turning issues in the shool then I would go for a loose ring without cheeks. If you don't want to swap bits all the time then as donadea said a fulmer with loose rings may help.
All the above schooling tips are good transitions etc to get her working from behind. Also pole work may help lift her forehand
 
My horse leans on the bit when being schooled. I used to ride him in a loose ring french link but did switch to a waterford, which stopped the problem but of course it isn't dressage legal so all it did was give me a taste of what could be! He improved with a Neue schule veridibend (sp?) but I now have him in a flexible straight bar rubber mouthing bit that is so flexible you can bend it in half! He really likes the rubber and is confident working up to the bit but best of all its so flexible that he can't lean on it! Its like a piece of chewing gum so I wouldn't ride him out of the school in it but if you don't need a waterford for control reasons they are quite cheap to have a go.

I am working hard on his schooling to lift his withers and bring his back legs under him as well - lots of transitions and half halts but in the mean time it doesn't hurt him to have to carry his own head
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You need to get her off the forehand, not put a stronger bit in her mouth. You also need her to accept the contact and have a soft mouth. As soon as she starts leaning, you stop her, make her soften then continue.

Transitions, leg yield in circles, flexing out on circles, these all will help. Rein back if she is able but only a few steps.

Sounds like a schooling issue rather than a bit issue. she is using you to balance her rather than taking the wight on her back legs and balancing herself.

I wouldnt try just riding her around on a loose rein - that will just get her to go on the forehand even more. You need to get her to start working properly and using herself more.

This is all provided that she has no issues with back, saddle and teeth - all the usuals!
 
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