Bending to the right????!!!

I was working with Chance on bending through her corners and keeping that same type of bend during 30ish meter circles[starting out large]. Chance could do it very very nicely to her left side even at the trot, then to the right .. she couldnt seem to do it. I mean I know I havent worked that side much as I have the left side.. but. at the halt I can ask for lateral flexion and she can reach all teh way to my heel pretty much so .. its not her so much being stiff.... But to the right she would just keep her neck straight and llike cross her front feet over and just had no bend. I know its something she CAN do. Its not like a defect or something LOL!

Also at the halt I can ask for a slight bend through her neck and she can do it...

The right side is also my bad way as well.. interesting lol


advice??

I say a part of it is your saddle. I actually am banking on that. A lot of the issues you are having with Chance I feel is directly related to your saddle. So until you fix that, you won't see progress.

However, it's possible she is out of alignment and needs to be adjusted. Maybe get an equine chiropractor out to look at her.

It's also possible that her ribs are stuck to the right. It would make it very easy for her to bend left, but very hard for her to bend right because her ribs are in the way. Go back and review the DVD in the Level 2 pack that talks about that subject, and also go back and watch last month's Savvy Club DVD with the lady and her Icelandic Pony.....perfect example of a horse who can't bend.

I have a saddle that fits perfectly now.

Shes never been out of alignment before .. but if I can find someone and if I have the money ill see what they say.

I dont work her on the right very much so maybe its the ribs. Which DVD is it??

Great! Glad to hear you have a saddle that fits her now. However, is it placed correctly and shimmed accordingly? If not, that can and will cause problems.

It doesn't matter if a horse has never been out of alignment before. They can throw themselves out just by playing around in the pasture.

In the Level 2 pack, it's one of the DVDs that also discusses saddle position....Linda talks about how to sit on a horse thats ribs are stuck. It's brilliant! Also, last month's Savvy Club DVD.

All horses have a stiff or strong side. Maybe you can try massaging the muscles on her stiff side to warm up the muscles before you ride. She might just have a few knots in her shoulder or hip. With my horse, it's usually his shoulder. If it's just a basic conformation thing, you'll just have to work more on suppling her stiff side. It will come in time.

Ohhh I think ive seen that somewhere. Ill re look at that again.

And its placed in the normal position, with a wintec front lifter pad. And she was riding nicely under it, it seemed. Sadly I didnt get video so I couldnt see exactly what was going on. But I know from that last ride there was perfectly even sweat marks.

Hopefully tomorrow Ill be getting some videos.
Im thinking its just that she hasnt been worked on that side much not even played with on that side.. so Its just a lot weaker.

Thanks for the reply! :)! Yeah Ill try massaging her before riding and see if that loosens her up at all. It was a little frusterating haha the other side was so nice and soft. Thats what I thought that just maybe she has a stiffer side like most and its just gonna need more work then the other.
Thanks again.

I have a few questions

how do you know your saddle is the "perfect" fit?
how are you asking for the bend?

I know that feeling, getting Ben to Bend to the right is like bending a 1500lb brick wall. I let him warm up normall first, then halt and ask for a few bands, and then with his head bent I ask him to move his hind quarters off my right leg. I then ask him to bend at the walk with alot of leg (and spur if needed) and sponging and half halting the inside rein untill I feel even the slightest bit of softening. If he gives a bit, I release the presure and tell him he was good. Lots of circles, serpentines, and sppirals help

Its not a PERFECT fit, but it deff is speading the weight evenly across the back. You can tell by the sweat marks. and she seemed to be moving a lot more freely in it. Ill get pictures when ever I work her enough to get a good sweat pattern. I really need a different lifter pad I hate mine, but it works at the moment.

The way I was taught to ask for the bend is by using my inside leg to push her more towards the rail, and like tighten up on the contact with the inside rein But Ive been bringing the rein lower for teaching her atm I tend to do that with everything I teach at first idk why. and kinda take your outside rein forward bit. Idk its easier done then said, I did my best hope you kinda get the picture.

Again thats the way I was taught.
Just like some people are taught to ask for the canter with the outside leg.. I was taught with the inside leg.

LOL im not just like yanking her head! :P
Im supporting with my legs as well.

She picked up on it quickly to the left, it took like 2 laps.