Please help!!

Ok so I have this beautiful rising 5 year old gelding. For quite some time now he won't canter a circle to the right, he just won't go on the correct leg and the only way I can get him on the right leg is going over a small jump. I thought something might be wrong so I decided to get an equine chiropractor out to take a look at him and would you believe it, both shoulders and his neck was out. I felt so bad for making him work but he wasn't showing any signs of pain.

Anyway, is this normal for such a young horse to have so much wrong. I'm really worried that if I start working him again then they will just pop out again. Also, in about a month I have a rodeo coming up that I was going to enter him in for barrel racing, is this not a good idea now? I really don't want to ruin him, he is such a beautiful horse with the most amazing temperament. Please help. Thanks in advance.
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Completely normal. They play pretty rough and it doesn't take much to throw them out of alignment. But keep in mind a chiro is usually more than one appointment. Depending how long he has been out he might have muscle memory that will try to pull it back out of alignment. But I would say perhaps get another checkup before your rodeo if he starts having problems picking up his lead again.

Ok thank you so much
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Yep I'd have the cbrio out one more time. Ask the chrio what they think about the rodeo

Yes he was, you just didn't recognise them as such. 'Won't canter in one direction', 'won't take a certain lead' are generally symptoms of physical problems.

Did you not ask the chiro these questions? Yes, it is as common for horses as it is for people to 'put something out' when playing or exercising, particularly if it's hard/athletic maneuvers.

Particularly if they're immature & doing high impact & athletic stuff, such as tight circles & fast paces, it is common for horses to suffer often permanent damage. Horses' lower spine/pelvis & hocks don't 'close' until around 6-7yo. For that reason, I would not be cantering tight circles, let alone barrel racing, on a 5yo.

Ok thanks
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I also think horses are "lefties" and "righties". Most horses have a better direction. Some are more noticeable then others. Since you had his pain taken care of, and assuming your tack is well fitting, its probably lack of education. If he is not comfortable going that way why would be want to? Try pushing him to the outside to get the weight off that inside leg, then ask. Or push his hip to the inside then ask. Once you get it keep going, let him get comfortable. Then work on transitions.
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Yeah that makes sense, thanks
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Many horses are one sided because riders find it easier to turn left and this is the side/direction we are inclined to focus on. And the horse builds muscles accordingly. Even the police know that in a pursuit, the odds are very high the culprit will turn left so they act accorcingly. You are going to have to focus you training on building him up while moving to the right. Because you will be stretching unaccustomed muscles, keep your sessions down to about 20 min. To start. That includes walk, trot and canter to the right only. After four or five rides, add another 10 min.

^^ I did this with my mare, she was great to the right and not so great to the left. I worked her left side 80% of the time. By the time I switched back her left was way stronger! Lol. Just man's sure you go back to even work once things are looking up. Lol.
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