Messed up 4 yr old

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Challows

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i've a newly bought 4yr old mare, who was backed and chucked into a riding school. She is highly intelligent but this works both for & against us. I've sorted out her standing problems, she's now picking up her feet and tacking up ok, but she is'nt going on her left rein. I've tried lunging and she'll just walk into me if she's on the left. When riding we do as many left circles as possible but she just falls in and bucks - side rein were suggested but don't rectify it at all. Any suggestions?????
as for the bucking, tho i can sit to much of it, she's got into a habbit where, when she was younger she'd get her feet into a muddle and buck, this meant the inexperienced school rider would get scared and jump off, now she knows that bucking means she can get an easy escape so does it as much as poss. was thinking of putting a tougher bit on her, dutch/american gag, she's only in an egg-but snaffle now.
thank you
 
Maybe she is in pain on that side due to the muscles not being developed properly on that rein? If she has been lunged to death on one rein that could have caused issues?

Maybe check first of all if she has any back pain, then check tack fitting and finally check that she is understanding the aids you are giving her? (my lad gets very grumpy if not completely clear about what I want from him)
 
Considered a vet or osteopath to look at her before putting her in side reins? And am not sure what you hope to achieve by using a stronger bit.........
 
Ditto above.
RS's aren't insured to use anything in a school under the age of 6 yrs!
one of the schools I know break 3 yr olds, school them a few times and then chuck them in the school for novice people!
Clever eh? No wonder there's so many messed up horses out there
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She needs riding forward into the bridle. I wouldnt EVER put a 4yr old in the bits mentioned, infact she needs to go into a nice soft bit to encourage her to work into the contact and not try and resist it. In regards to the bending, if she is that stiff I would think there is something underlying. Can she stretch round to the left with carrot stretches?
 
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I'd echo the sentiments above, get her back thoroughly checked, teeth checked, saddle checked, feet checked.

A stronger bit isn't the answer at the moment - you need to try and figure out what's causing the issue that she's reacting to.

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I think the same as said quote.
I would if there is nothing wrong with any of these things, try long reining her. Or even trying it in a field could be like you said, just trying it on.
 
Also have you checked her teeth? My 4 yr old came having lots of trouble esp on the left rein and it was because his molars were moving causing him discomfort. This translated to him not wanting to work on one side at all. Once his teeth settled he has now started working nicely on both.
So, if you havent already, I'd get the dentist out and then, daily, feel along her jaw to see if anything is sensitive.
 
Have her back checked, teeth and saddle. Did you her vetted? And what breed is she?
If you are given the OK on back teeth etc, I would hack for a while - maybe a month or 2, and ask her for leg yield, shoulder in, etc, encourage her to bend and flex, do lots of transitions. Take the schooling out of the school, so to speak. Then try introducing short schooling sessions, so maybe do a 1/2 hour hack then 5 mins in the school, and gradually build up. Once a week lunge her in a basic bridle and encourage her to go forward on her 'off' rein, in big circles. If she turns in, keep behind her and use the whip to send her forward, it doesnt matter if she is not on a perfect circle, but does matter if she is stopping and turning and walking in. Keep trotting and think forward!!! Walk around the school with her and don't go and get routed to the spot.
I would not go riding round in gadgets or side reins (!!) she sounds like she is either in pain, or evasive - either way a gadget wont work, you have to manage her now.
If the bucking continues, and if you have confirmed she is not in pain, crack her with a whip each time she does it and push her forward in canter. She will soon learn it is not appropriate behaviour.
Just out of interest, if you were not happy about a horse being in a riding school at 4...why did you buy it?
 
If she's good on right rein and as you describe on left then theres got to be a medical reason for it.
I echo KatB in that I wouldn't put a 4 year old in these harsh bits, I would stick to a plain loose ring snaffle maybe with a lozenge in the middle.
Also, carrott streches is a good idea to see if she can stretch round to the left with those. Also maybe walking her in hand on the left rein so she what she is like?
 
I echo the above, get her checked by a vet , then if nothing a mild bit and lots of gradual stretching work, don't force it, her body will need time to adjust stretch and build corretly. Have you tried long reining/ two rein lunging?
 
If she were mine, I'd have her carefully checked by the vet. She could be teething, and be sore on that side. Or she could have a problem in her back or neck. Or she could just be 'stale'. Done too much too soon, and not be mentally ready.

If the vet gives her the all-clear, I'd consider giving her a break from being riding. Spend time working with her on the ground. Practice stretching exercises with her. Long rein her out. Give her some time to relax and mature a bit. Not ages, but a couple of months maybe. Then have the fit of her saddle checked by a reputable fitter, as she may well have altered shape. Then start working her in slowly and build on gradually from there.

She's still very, very young. Seems she's done too much already IMO and having novices ride her, and then jump off when she played up, wont have instilled the best lessons. Hopefully, now she's with you on a one-to-one you'll be able to help her get over these less that desirable experiences.
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My mare started playing up when being lunged on the right rein. Then she started running into jumps on that rein, despite jumping them happily on the left rein. Turns out she was losing some sight in her left eye. It seems she can see what is beside her but not in front. Might also explain why she would walk on the right of any trackor path - where she could clearly see the hedge. Get the vet out and have this horse thoroughly checked.
 
if she was mine and the vet checks come back ok i think i would send away to a professional that i trust to work with her (with me going up to ride if necessary) to sort her main issues out. it will probably be quicker and cheaper in the long term to do this....
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Agree about checks but also i dont believe in working a horse more on their weak rein as it can exacerbate a problem if you are not correcting it. You should work the same on both reins but you just work it differently on the weak rein. Without seeing what she is doing it is difficult to suggest what to do. You need a good dressage instructor to help you.
 
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