Ruining a good horse!

[Remmy]

Hi... I really need some advise.
I bought a horse who seemed reasonably well schooled, but having owned him for just a couple of months his left canter has gone from OK to not worth attempting.
The problem is that he is really hanging onto the left rein and he tilts his head so that his nose pokes to the right. I cannot see to ride (with my left leg) into the right rein, so he hollows his back and throws his head in the air in a bid to avoid the contact. If I start work just in trot he's not too bad but things get much worse as soon as I have had a canter. I can tell he's really uptight as he starts to 'squeak.
I feel that the problem has been set up by the way I ride.

Please help!

[Myrmex]

This sounds like quite an unhappy horse. Does he just do it with you or is he normal with someone else riding him? You're afraid it's your riding - well, it's possible, if for example, you ride lopsided, are very tense or have heavy hands etc. And some horses are more sensitive to this kind of thing than others. Can you get an instructor or other experienced person to watch you ride and maybe set your fears at rest? However, the way he's holding his head, the hollowing etc makes me suspect he's in discomfort, and that could be caused by lots of things. His tack may be pinching (horses change shape very quickly sometimes) or his bit might be uncomfortable (it's not a jointed snaffle by any chance is it?). Then there's the possibility of back/neck/pelvic problems (he may have injured himself in the field) or teeth problems (when were they last checked?). Did you get him vetted when you bought him? And lastly, how old is he?!

[Remmy]

Hi Myrmex,

I had a much younger friend ride him and he was not so bad but I wonder if it is still the memory... if you know what I mean. I have had my saddler out with a view to buying a new saddle and having ridden in a couple of others, he seemed slightly more relaxed in one particular make so I believe that this may have contributed a little too. I have borrowed another saddle from my saddler until my new saddle arrives (he goes much better in this than my old one!). You are right about the bit, a jointed loose ring snaffle. I am going to try out a Happy mouth full cheak with french link tonight. He is six years old but can still be easily upset.
His teeth were sorted by a dentist a couple of months ago and does not appear to be unsound in any other way.

Does this help?

[Myrmex]

Hi Remmy - about that snaffle! Have you checked it's not putting uneven pressure on his mouth? Hold it by the joint and let the rings hang down. If they hang down to the same level, fine - if not, that's probably why he's taking a hold on one rein because as you apply rein aids, you'll be putting a lot of pressure on just one side of his mouth. There seem to be a lot of badly made snaffles around, sold by reputable companies - I bought two in a row a few months ago which had this problem. Either that, or maybe he just doesn't approve of jointed snaffles - neither of my horses like them and are happier in different bits!

[Heather]

HI Remmy,

I am afraid to say that it does sound very much as if your riding is causing your horse's problems. I hate having to tell riders this, but, and I stress this again, it is not their fault,but that of the wretched teraching system which prepetuates the confusion of so many riders. I could scream every time I see a post like this.

You are obviously a caring rider who realises that it is not the horse that is at fault, but to whom do you turn for help?

I do video assessments/lessons for riders, and shortly will be able to return the tape with a dubbed voiceover telling you what is going right or wrong. Email me at heather@eclipse.co.uk if you would like details of the video lessons.

Heather

[KarlR]

That sounds like an excellent idea Heather.

If I can ever find the time (and money) to buy a video camera I'll certainly send you a video!

I would imagine such a service would be very popular.

[Horselover2]

Remmy, Heather's suggestion was a terrific one, and maybe you can talk a friend who has a camera into into doing the taping for you. Also, as you enter your bend, try keeping more left leg on your horse, and support his shoulder w/your inside rein at the same time (slightly elevate your left hand position). You may also want to practice figure 8's and serpentines at the trot to keep him supple.

[Remmy]

Thank you all for offering your advise. And a special thanks to Heather whom I spoke at great lengths with a few nights ago.
But... I do have another hurdle to cross before I can try to rectify this problem. My horse has just started spooking really badly in the school where just a couple of weeks ago he had no problem whatsoever. Having been hanging on with my heel over the waist of the saddle, this has now knocked my confidence a bit. So I am going back several steps and just walking on a long rein to get him to settle. I am hoping that the spooks will become less frequent/violent soon.
I will let let all know of the/any!! progress over the next few weeks

Remmy