On the left rein he bends to the right! HELP!

[welshponylover]

Been having a bit of trouble with him - as the title says he flexes (is that how you spell it? you know what i mean!!) in on the right rein beautifully, which is what they are meant to do, but on the left rein he flexes to the outisde. It takes a lot of effort from me to get his head pointing straight, let alone inwards. Now he was schooled as a youngster more on the right than the left rein, or so im told but its so annoying! He cuts corners, doesn't go into canter and im forever balancing him myself!

Help really appreciated - i want to get him going well on both reins before the summer shows (would not go down well with the judge me thinks :/ )

 

[soulfull]

IT is quite common and annoying too.

The problem is he is tight on his right side so will curl around you, but when you want him to bend left he can't so he falls in. you in turn try to correct this with the outside rein (right hand) so he turns his head right and the vicious circle is started. You are not alone in this and it is natural instinct to react that way

To correct it you need to get him to bend left and stretch the right side

Carrot stretches are good for this

Ridden wise work in getting him to work straight on the left rein use you outside leg behind the girth to balance him and your inside leg to gently push him into the outside rein which will be 'there' for him but not too restraining.
Don't worry about his head carriage just keep him on the outside rein and inside leg and balanced
Once you have this then use squeeze and release with the inside fingers, if he shows any sign (even slight) of giving, reward him by giving with the inside rein. Remember he will give to the release not the take

I often find you need to use a lot of outside leg to get them balanced.

Incidentally if he is falling in too much on his shoulder, place a whip down the inside shoulder to hold him up a little

Also the more you do it the LESS pressure you need on the outside rein, then he will drop

 

[welshponylover]

thanks thats all really helpful