Resistance to coming round on the bit and engaging

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Leigh_1978

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Hi

I have a 16.3 gelding thouroughbred who I have only had since feb this year and have had continuous problems and injuries....Thankfully he seems to have settled now

I have finally managed to bring him back into 2 wks agao after being on box rest for 6 weeks just walk and a little trot but he does not want to come round in an outline in walk or trot...When I ask him into an outline he puts his ears flat back and stops he is clearly uncomfortable/in pain......he is fine otherwise in walk and trot but carries his head quite high in trot... Could this be a back problem or just lack of muscle and fitness am I asking to much to soon ???......

please help Thank you!!!

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it will def take him quite a while to build the muscles and strength he needs for an outline. Though it sounds like his response is suggesting pain. With him being out of work for a while I would imagine he has lost muscle, esp along his topline. Have you had his saddle checked since he has come back into work? Saddle and back would be my first check as it def sounds like he is experincing pain. Then lots of decent forwards work and he will slowly develop the strength in his back end to maintain a decent amount of impulsion, then you can start to develop him working in an outline. All will come right in time!
 
Hey Thank you for your reply...I have checked his saddle but maybe I should get a 2nd opinion as I have not fitted a saddle in years :o( I have also been looking for a back Therapist today so will call her up and get him checked asap :o) xx
 
Holding the head high in trot may be back pain, or pain in the hocks, discomfort in his front feet, or an ill fitting saddle - or it may simply be that that it is, for the moment, the most comfortable way for him to go until he builds up his fitness and muscle condition again. Also if the rider is on the forehand then he will raise his head to compensate.

Sorry - I have to go off on a rant here -not at you so don't take offense!;)

Why the obsession with "getting them into an outline" - you can't "put" a horse into a natural outline - it is something that they will offer to do when they are fit enough to do it and are moving forward impulsively.

A proper "outline" comes from impulsion from the back end and engagement of the muscles in the loins and back - not from your hands and bit.

It saddens me to see so many horses being ridden round the schools with riders holding on to their bits, sawing and pulling the head in to the chest, and back legs trailing - that's not a natural outline - it's just ugly and certainly not pleasant for the horse. It's the sign of an unsympathetic and generally poor rider.

When I am hacking my horses are always in an "outline" - they are striding out, using their back ends, engaging their back muscles and working uphill nicely. We cover a lot of ground very quickly! And I don't use the reins, and I don't use bits - I only pick up a rein when I want to give an instruction, and that way thy really listen to the rein aids (I'm prone to having restless hands and fiddle with the reins so leaving them on the withers in easy reach removes the temptation and is good discipline for me!)
 
Im not whizz but I too am bringing a horse on and taking advise from those more knowledgeable. Mainly common sense. Yes is sounds like pain and discomfort. However it may also just be a bit fast.
Key things to remember. If someone asked you to practice stretching for a few days then demanded you do the splits do you think you'd manage? We expect an awful lot from horses. Help them and your relationship by taking it slow and getting to know each other. Perhaps long reigning to build muscle without any weight on him then occasional riding and focus on learning each others signals and paces before really asking to soften. Which in part will come naturally when the horse is both ready and your are both balanced with each other and yourselves.
If after that there are still problems look further into pain, old injury etc may be hindering.
Best of luck
 
thanks brucea for your rant you have made me feel a whole lot better NOT just for your information i do ride holding my horse on the bit or saw! I clearly lack experience and that is why i asked the question in the first place as soon as i noticed he was unconfortable I stopped riding him as it turns out it is lack of fitness and muscle and am i love my horse dearly and he has the best of care and i am now getting some some really good training for both me and my horse as i have only had him 6 months


thnk you all for taking the time to respond to my question.
 
We have much the same with one of ours that has been on box rest etc.
So.. we have done plenty of hacking, getting him strong and not even thinking of outline for now, that will come much later.. his head comes first, his strength second and proper schooling after that.
My instructor has always said to me 'No horse has been spoiled by going too slowly but plenty spoiled by going too fast (you just might not be where you would like to be!)"

Good luck - patience is a vertue x
 
Probably sounds insulting, but have you had his teeth checked ? I had a mare who was behaving in exactly the same way and after a process of elimination discovered she had wolf teeth. Dentist said it was the equivalent of banging a nail into her gums everytime the bit engaged on them. Took them out - end of problem.
 
You need to have the saddle checked by a professional, its not something you can just do yourself (unless you are a fully qualified saddler, and in which case i apologise). You also need to get his teeth checked (if not already done) and i would ask people you know for recommendations of physios in your area as it sounds like your horse is in pain. Back should be done every 4-6 months depending on the horse and teeth every 6months to a year, also depending on the horse, saddles should be checked and refitted around every 3-6months as horses are constantly changing shape when in work.
 
My horses all wear BALANCE saddles and their backs don't change shape when they are in work - suggesting that in a traditional saddle it's the saddle that causes the shape change.....?
In horses who have previously been ridden in traditional saddles, any shape change is always that the back becomes wider and more muscular, and the saddling system is designed to allow for that to happen.
Horses love these saddles.
 
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