dead to the right rein

[maisie23]

the mare has decided she is going to totally ignore the right rein, no matter which rein you are on
so on one rein, i have noo brakes as cannot half halt and on the other i have no leaverage to stop her falling in
i am an experiance rider and no matter what i have done seems to work, i have took her back to basics as she does get stong and bomb off but we've been doing basics for about 6 weeks now and nothing has changed with this right rein
could it be stiffness ?
stuborness (she is known very well for it )
or a snaffle could not be given her precise aids ? maybe change of bit ?

[vikki85]

Get her checked by a physio or osteopath. Also might be worth having her teeth checked. Does her tack fit?

[klouisem]

As above, I'd get her back checked

[GinaGeo]

As above to start with.

At the recent BD convention Carl Hester said "If a horse is heavy on one rein, don't keep pulling on the heavy rein, work to put weight into the light one". Very true.

A good exercise is to ride the horse on a circle in the centre of the school, put the horse onto outside bend, straighten him up, put him back to outside bend repeat the exercise both ways. The horse should offer an inside bend easily both ways in a nice light contact. I'd also do carrot stretches daily to keep the horse loose.

This is an exercise I use with my horse, a four year old to keep the weight even in both reins. I have to remember though that the weakness is me. My right arm, athough naturally stronger, I struggle to use it as effectively to contain the energy as I'm worried of over using it (a previous fault).

Riding square corners, switiching between inside and outside bend will also help to weight both reins evenly.

Of course, make sure there aren't any physical issues first though

[wisher86]

ginageo thats fab i was just going to put a post about horses been heavy on one rein which im struggling with my mare. thanks for that.

[maisie23]

thankyou i will try that, she is due the saddler but its only been 6 months, her back teeth etc are all up to date

[lulah]

I agree with ginageo. I do "shoulder knocks" which is getting your horse to move over using the opposite rein - lift it up and over the neck slightly with the same leg slightly back. As soon as your horse has moved over a couple of steps, straighten back up and move over the other way. Its best done on the long diagonal. I hope that makes sense!

[maisie23]

she is very strong aswell and are working on breaks too, its just asif she totally ignores you

[GinaGeo]

Lots of transitions as well then, both full and within the pace. If she gets strong then back to walk until she settles Remember it takes two to pull

[fmt]

I've posted something in the lounge and snug.

Under bending take a look as that may help

[maisie23]

if she doesnt respond i MAKE her stops as that is down right ignorant but i feel im being too harsh :/

[GinaGeo]

Remember you're training through pressure and release. When she gets it right lots of praise.

How are you asking for the downward transition?

[maisie23]

Sitting trot, weight shift slightly backwards ( as I prefer my horses to listen to my seat ) then half halt down the outside rein, your half halts have to be quite stong before she will actually listen to you though although she is getting better

[GinaGeo]

Instead of shifting your weight back, this may be causing a slight inbalance, and even put you into a "driving" seat which will send her forwards. Try sitting up taller, bracing your core and stopping the motion through your seat. Some people say "sit deep" but I think this description can cause a rider to collapse at the hips. There also seems to be some debate between trainers as to whether you breathe in or breathe out on the aid, friends with different trainers do it slightly differently but have the same effect. I think I breathe in, as that would match my sitting up tall and bracing core aid.