Left lean, particularly on right rein

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Jody25

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Looking for some advise on schooling exercises to correct my horses left lean.

I have a 6yr old TB mare, who was broken and turned away for two years. I bought her from the field and re-backed her. She has been ridden for the last month or so but she is completely lefty, slightly less so on the left rein, but hugely on the right rein. Doesn't happen on the lunge or when long reining.

I've been squeezing with my right rein, moving it back and out, turning my right shoulder in and pushing with my inside leg to push her out, but our 20 metre circles eventually end up 10 metre circles from falling in. There are moments of straightness but they are few and far between.

Any advice, tips?

Thanks
 
Make sure your position is correct, if you say she doesn't do it on the lunge/long-reining then it could be down to how she is ridden.

Make sure your inside shoulder is back when turning - your shoulders should mimic the direction you want your horses shoulders to move in.
Make sure you are also stepping into your inside stirrup to shift a little more weight to the inside, this will help to push your mare out. Keep inside leg on the girth and outside leg behind.
She should also be even in both reins, and try not to use your reins for steering.

It really would be best for you to seek training from a professional/knowledgeable person to see what is going on.

And finally, don't let them end up as 10m circles. As soon as the circle starts shrinking, or if you can't maintain it in trot or canter then bring it back to walk, re-establish the circle, and then try upping the pace.
 
First of all, and hate to sound boring! Have you checked she has no physical problems ie teeth, back, saddle etc that may affect what you are asking her to do? If you have, I'm afraid you just have to accept that this retraining! Plenty of horses (not just ex racehorses) are very one sided and it takes time and patience to develop bend and submission. If you haven't already, find yourself an experienced and sympathetic instructor and work with them. Do you lunge your horse, and if so, are you experienced in doing so? Lungeing your horse correctly will encourage your horse to bend and use the correct muscles which in turn will make it easier from on board. When you are riding, and the your horse is trying to fall in ad taking no notice of inside leg, Fix your eyes on a point in the school where you want to arrive at. Just work at in walk, no point in progressing to faster pace until you have some control! Take your time, and suddenly you will be trotting around on a 20m circle and surprise yourself!!!
 
Thanks all.

I've had all the normal checks done and everything is fine. I also have an instructor helping me.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any other advise as I find myself sitting right naturally now to counter-balance her left lean and I don't want this to become a habit on my part.

Thanks
 
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