Tips to stop falling in?

[sfward]

My mare really falls in on the right rein, to the point where I find it really quite difficult to actually keep her on the track! The problem isn't too bad in trot, but is very noticeable in canter. I try and keep my inside leg on but it is not working well enough, particularly as I find it difficult to keep the weight in my right stirrup so end up drawing my leg up and back which tips my weight to the outside, not helping her balance I suspect

! She also speeds up and gets quite strong, I am guessing as a symptom of her not being balanced. I am having to use my outside rein more than I would like just to keep her on track and stop her bending like a banana to the inside

Are there any exercises or tips that anyone can suggest to help with this problem? Drifting right is a general thing that she likes to do, she does it on the left rein also (to the outside) but I feel we're making good progress overcoming this now, it's the right rein that I'm now stuck with!!

thanks everyone

 

[Bossanova]

Shoulder in on the left rein, shoulder out on the right rein.
Always ride with a hint of it the respective positionings on each rein. She will then strengthen up and you can gradually rely on her to maintain the straightness

 

[sfward]

Good idea, thanks

 

[KatB]

Move both hands to the outside slightly, the horses shoulders should "follow" when combined with the inside leg. Sounds backward, but its recommended by Di Lampard and works!!!

 

[BBs]

I echo Boss too with the shoulder in etc

I also ride my horses off the track on the 3/4 line ride with your hands together making sure you correct straightness with leg only!

Snoop runs onto the forehand (not so much now) but gets a bit onward and i find slowing the trot right down to nearly walk and then trotting on again really helps engage the back end and balances everything up

 

[jenbleep]

[ QUOTE ]
I echo Boss too with the shoulder in etc

I also ride my horses off the track on the 3/4 line ride with your hands together making sure you correct straightness with leg only!

Snoop runs onto the forehand (not so much now) but gets a bit onward and i find slowing the trot right down to nearly walk and then trotting on again really helps engage the back end and balances everything up

[/ QUOTE ]

BBs i have a problem with Frankie in that he doesnt use his back end........if i was to slow the trot right down to almost walk on the short sides then push him on down the long sides, then that is a good exercise for lightening the forehand?

 

[BBs]

Yep.
I use the exercise to connect Winston up who is long in the back and can get very much on his forehand.
Half halt with your seat and as soon as they come to the point of walk trot on again - dont throw them into a bigger trot tho, as you will end up unbalancing them.
I use it for snoop who likes to trot around endlessly at speed. If anyone watched the Carl Hester demo at YHL he did it with his horses - its basically a transistion within a pace

Do it on a circle rather than opening them right out down the long side

 

[jenbleep]

yes whenever Frankie gets unbalanced he gets tense and runs away with me.......

so you are right it is probably best to do it on a circle rather then let him run off down the long side of the school!

excellent thankies