Problems going right

My mare picks up the lead when going to the left just perfect, but I am having trouble going to the right......Any tricks? I do the stop...back up and turn around to the right before we start trotting. I am just at a loss and know that I am doing something wrong. You know how you can feel that they are not in the correct lead??? Help ; )

: ) : ) : )

I saw a clinic with Julie Goodnight. Same problem as your horse. What she had the rider do was, canter one half of the arena on the left lead, come back to a trot as you cross straight across the center. Literally a stride before you're about to crash into the wall, ask for the right lead canter. (obviously give her some forewarning by setting her up with the proper bend before you get to the wall) Even if you don't get it, go right. Make that circle whether you get it or not. Trot it if necessary. Again come across the center at a trot and a stride before the wall, ask for left lead canter and go left. Do this over and over. Be sure to never go the same way twice in a row. Always go left, then right, then left, etc. Your horse will quickly understand the game. The rider in the clinic got it after about 7 tries. When you do get, only let her canter on the right lead until it starts to deteriorate and bring her back to a trot. Lots of praise to let her know she did it right. The thing that seems to make it work is to get as close to the wall as possible. That way, your horse has run out of room, has to turn right to avoid hitting it, and the resulting bend and weight shift automatically puts her on the right lead. Good luck.

I would first get a chiropractor out to look at her. She could be out and she physically can't pick up the right lead.

She was just adjusted so I don't think that is the case, but thanks : )

If she was JUST done she could still be sore. If the spine was out of alignment for a while the muscles will have adjusted around it while it was out of alignment. So when you get the spine aligned again the muscles will still be in the wrong position and can actually pull the spine back out of alignment. Usually after a chiro visit you'll need to do a few follow ups with the chiro or a massage therapist.

^^ I second that.

Yes - the chiro that comes to our barn has stressed the need for massage for a horse that was severly out of alignment. The muscle memory will want to put the bone back out again.

OP - does she pick up correctly on her own (riderless)?

Yes she does, that's why I know I'm doing something wrong. And by "just adjuted" I mean 3 weeks ago. I wonder if we have an equine massage therapist here. I have never herd of one I will have to ask my chiro. She dosn't seem to be in pain, she does not toss her head or drag a hoof or anything so I'm thinking that I am causing this.

If you think it's 'you', can you have a trusted friend give her a try?

Also - could be your saddle in her way when she tries to stretch to pick up that lead.