Left rein woes....

[olivia]

Did some serious schooling tonight - Tilly got sweaty and everything (and I can now barely move!!!!)

And Tilly is now doing some really nice work on the right rein - she's balanced and forward going, maintains a nice novice outline in all three paces and in her transitions, does some nice basic lateral work. We're improving every time we ride...

Left rein is a total disaster - she won't engage properly, is hollow, won't bend to the left, rushing - nasty, nasty, nasty!

I need to get my instructor out, but can't afford that until I get paid on the 15th!

I'm trying to do lots of circles, leg yielding, flexing her neck to the inside whilst moving down the long side.

Does anyone have any tips for some more exercises I can try. I'm particularly interested in working out if it's more me or her that's the problem (I know it'll be a combination, but I'd like to know the biggest contributing factor).

Also - should I worry more about keeping her engaged, or more about maintaining correct flexion. I know that when I get one I'll get the other too, but I'm not sure which I should focus on first....

Help!!!!!

Olivia

[valerie n scout]

dont fret too much,it will all come together x

[foxypink]

I found that when I have a real problem with a horse on either rein its best to have its teeth checked and to eliminate that as problem if it exists??? have you done this?......once youve done that then try working your circles with outside flexion for four or five strides then straight for a couple of strides the flex again (all on circle). so on right rein flex left and left rein flex right. Ive found this has really helped my Dales Ella. also work some shoulder fore then shoulder in. It takes time but its worth it!! hope this helps X

[greydales]

It's common for a horse to have a stiff side and a hollow side, Cherry is like Tilly but the opposite way round!

She can work on the left rein easily but to the point that she's bent too much to the inside and almost falling out with her outside shoulder; right rein she finds a problem and is stiff, resistant, bends to the outside and falls in with her inside shoulder. She finds everything difficult on that rein and tends to rush and panic and canter transitions are usually accompanied by a buck . It's not helped by the fact that right rein is also my stiffer side!

I've not actually done much in the way of schooling but when I do I concentrate on trying to keep her straight as possible on both reins; meaning that on the left rein (her easier rein) I will use more outside leg and more contact on the outside rein to try and keep her straighter. On her stiff (right) side, I use more inside leg and ask her to flex with the inside rein while keeping a contact with the outside. It's still early days and there is much resistance but hopefully over time she will earn to balance herself better!

I think a useful exercise (on the stiff rein) is to gradually reduce the size of the circle then try and move them out again via your inside leg so they learn to move away from, and bend around it. Your outside leg should be preventing the outside quarters from moving over too much. It's important to know when to apply your leg in relation to which hind leg is being picked up, as this will enable them to move with ease. When you feel the belly swing away from your leg, this is when you should be applying pressure. Shoulder-in is also a useful exercise provided it's done properly!

I hope I'm not talking a load of rubbish here as I've had a few

[harveydales]

Yes, I agree with Gill, all horses will be one sided to some degree. Harvey is stiffer to the left and I suspect much of this is down to me being one sided due to my ankle. I've noticed a huge diference since Tanya has been riding him.

At the beginning she did a lot of counter-canter work, some shoulder-in and a lot of gentle but exagerated flexing both ways to get him to let go and stop "holding himself".

When is your next lesson? I wouldn't get too hung up on the problem - just enjoy riding Tilly.

[SuzieP]

It makes sense to me Gill! And I've not been drinking.....LOL

Bea is stiffer on his left rein - the same as my weaker side - and my instructor has advised me to do much as Gill describes.

I do agree with Pam too - the more hung up we get, the tenser we get in the saddle and the less helpful to the horse. For the first time my instructor is telling me to forget trying to be "correct" all the time and just relaxing....and things do seem to be falling into place a bit better.