I am picking up my mare's shoulder more for showing 1st and 2nd level and she is moving beautifully- except when we go to the right, she becomes uneven strided at the working trot- the right hind does not come as far forward. It is not all the time, but every couple strides or so. At a medium trot though, she is even. To the left at both trots, she is even. Walk is fine and her canter is actually more forward, collected, and uphill to the right than the left.
I have been trying exercises to stretch it out for the past couple years and make sure I work both sides equally- or more on her bad side with little success at the trot.
She can shoulder-in on the right fine, but has a lot of trouble leg yielding that one way.
Oh- she is a 17.2h mostly draft mare by the way, if that makes any difference.
Any exercise tips to get her to stretch that right hind farther at the trot? Or, which probably goes hand in hand, strengthen it as well.
Thanks ahead of time!
2007-01-05 14:10:59 · 6 answers · asked by D 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Now that someone mentioned it, she is a bit stiffin flexing- I have a habit of making her stretch her legs in the cross ties one by one. The only leg I have trouble with is her right hind- and I can flex below the knee, but above the knee-she will tense it and I can not stretch it back most of the time.
Is this a normal chiropractor type case?
2007-01-06 02:32:55 · update #1
You said you have been having trouble with this for years? If she doesn't need the chiropractor it could be one leg is shorter than the other. If it is possible in humans its possible in animals. I would suggest vet then chiropractor and ask them if they think maybe its possible for her to have one leg longer than the other.
How noticeable is it? Does she feel off on that one leg? Or is it just that she can't make it? It could be a tendon.... it could be her hip. Is it different days? Maybe she is sleeping on the one side and she is just stiff from that? Have you thought about her shoeing? Maybe one heel is higher than the other? Or maybe her toe is too long. There are many reasons this could be happening. I say get the vet to check her. It could also be arthritic which the vet could see by an x-ray.
If not go with a chiropractor they do wonders on horses. She might need her ankles cracked. I know a horse who did jumpers who seems just a little off in her right hind, the chiropractor cracked her and it was her hock of all things. That made a huge difference in her jumping. And now every time he comes she whinnies at him to tell him she wants to be next. Its kind of cute.
Good Luck
2007-01-05 18:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by watdahellrudoin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without seeing the horse go, I believe the problem is a flexibility and strength issue. The biggest mistake riders make is not having a deliberate warmup routine that supples and strengthens evenly on both sides. Most riders plop their butt in the saddle walk around a few minutes and then start in to strenuous activies or a lesson.
A good warm should include small cirlces at the walk, trot and canter in both directions with a square seat and the riders inside shoulder up slightly to compensate for leaning. It should also include lateral work in both directions. The lateral work should be equally balanced in both directions. This should take about 15 minutes. Both horse and rider should be wet, and ready for 30 minutes of coaching and instruction, followed by a 15 minute cool down.
As the horse and rider find their legs, collection and extension should be added to the warmup routine on the circle.Circles need to practiced to perfection. Thats where the balance and symmetry come from, as well as the stength.
I always surprised that dressage riders forget the purpose of dressage: to supple and strengthen horse and rider. I'm equally surprised at how undisciplined dressage riders are about warm up and cool down.
2007-01-06 14:57:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a dressage rider, but I do ride hunter/jumpers...Your mare may just be more stiff on the right side, if she's not bending well you can try this exercise where you sit in the saddle and use your finger to press into your horse's side, signalling to bend, and bring her head near your finger while standing still, and giving her a treat each time she does so. Otherwise, maybe try working in circles the problem direction until she relaxes and works better. Good Luck
2007-01-05 14:20:23 · answer #3 · answered by Captain Oblivious 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may need some strengthening exercises for her rear end.Try walking and trotting in small circles-if she seems more stiff to the right-go left a little more in your circles to help strengthen her up back there. I have the same issue on the same side with my horse.
2007-01-06 02:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your horse is trying to tell you something. have you had her checked by your vet to make sure there isn't any lameness issues? next I would have a chiropracter come out and adjust your horse. you would be surprised on how much better she will travel. her hips may be out a bit or even her back or ribs. I know this sounds crazy but I have used a chiropracter on my horses for years and it makes a huge difference. good luck and hope this helps
2007-01-05 15:28:44 · answer #5 · answered by cattledog_vinnie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Practice practice practice practice that's it .
2007-01-05 14:15:27 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Zip 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋