Strong cob

[Cassy]

My cob leans heavily on the right rein. I, along with my instructor have tried lots of different ideas over the summer to correct this but still she sets herself against me.
Also could anyone suggest a suitable bit for out hacking as she can suddenly dash off if something frightens her and I feel my french link is not working. I tried a pelham but she wasn't happy with all the metalwork in her mouth.

 

[be positive]

A pelham is not a lot of metalwork, if you get the same mouthpiece as you normally have it should feel no different apart from when you pick up the bottom rein and the curb chain comes into play, you will probably have to try a few different bits until you find something she likes.

Her leaning on one rein is most likely due to her being weaker behind and or stiffer through her body, plenty of work to engage her back end and soften her should be making a difference if done correctly if it is not then I would be looking to see what the root cause is rather than putting a stronger bit in which in itself will not correct the problem and may in the long term make matters worse as she learns to lean on that, it is rarely a mouth issue if it is only on one side, although it can be a rider problem so worth getting yourself checked by a physio as well as the horse.

 

[AdorableAlice]

As above, and lateral work. If you can supple the horse with sideways, controlling the shoulders and making her move around your leg she will straighten up. I bet your saddle moves as well.

A very simple start to getting them bendy is a ground exercise. Simply ask the horse to move away from you with the hind leg stepping in front on the other hind and never behind. Work equally on each side. They are moving around their forehand with the hind legs crossing under the belly. If the horse gets stuck just move it forward a few steps and start again. The inside rein asks for a little bend and your hand goes on the girth and asks the horse over.