going straight

[H & Bailey]

I tend to hack Bailey and just do a bit of schooling now and again.
He has just got his front shoes on now and isnt feeling to road at all and is more forwards going.
The only problem well more of an annoyance to me is that he tends to gawp and goggle at this and his head is always looking all over.He has also started to ride with his head slightly turned to the right and feels twisty.I know when Im on the roads I do use my right leg more to keep him into the side and turn his head towards the traffic or away from things at the side of the road.
when he is in a faster mode ie somewhere he knows where we have a trot or canter off road he has started to bend with his head to the right and wont straighten out.The only thing I can do is to circle to the left to see if he will straighten up.He tends to drop his shoulder(party trick);) when you ask him to circle left and he almost disappears beneath you!My left leg isnt as strong to push him over.If i just try to leg yield him and use my reins to straighten him he just shoots his head right up and gets worse?
He doesnt do this all the time but when he does its very annoying as I feel really lopsided..it must be uncomfortable for him.could it be because he has an eye which has a bit of white round it?You know some people say it makes them look nasty but his is because of his colouring(black and white)and the white of his blaze goes over to his eye,would his vision be different so making him look round more to get a better view?Ive had his back,teeth and saddle checked and Im not sitting collapsed or wonky.
Is it because I need to do more schooling....should I try side reins?Any suggestions??????

[HoRsE ChIcK]

i certainly wouldnt use any thing like side reins in a case like this, it sounds like u just need to figure out y he is doing it, and then u will know how to stop it. It sounds like u could use a bit more schooling to improve the strength in your left leg. It also sounds like your horse may be all set to run in that certain place, and when you dont let him, he is disobedient by bending and twisting. Make sure nothing is bothering or hurting him, there fore causing him to bend and twist. Try a lot of schooling to keep him going straight and some work on leg yielding might help.
Good Luck!!!
~Holly~

[Dressage addict]

Hi H & Bailey

Your horse is crooked - but do not worry every neddy is born like this and so we just have to work out hows best to help them!

Most horses are weaker on their right hindleg and so lean to their left shoulder and bend their necks to the right. Depending oin which he is doing more he may well sit you crookedly on his back. If he is leaning out through left most then ne will make you collapse your right side and your seat will feel over to the left. If he is pushing his right hind to the right then you may feel your right hip being pushed forwards and your right shoudler will go too!!!!

Don't try and push him over with your left leg. Horses move into rpessure and so if you give him a prop with your left leg he will lean into it more and and will stop using his right hind even more so. You need to try and school him mroe to go staright, lunging with side reins can help, workining him in btoh directions. Riding him try and get him to stretch forwards to an equal contact by using your right leg to get him to work that side more.

dressage addict