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 Veteran
Posts: 193
    Location: USA | My horse is really stiff on her left side she'll bend and flex for me but getting her to move in a circle she's really stiff and wants to hold her head on the outside. Also she's really wants to cut in on my circles but going to the right she's perfect. Any suggestions or exercises to help her soften up and maybe not cut in on my circles? |
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
       
| When circling, look exactly where you want to go and you will have perfect circles. That being said, I would bet on the horse's teeth need some work. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
    
| Has she been seen by a dentist and a chiropractor? It sounds like something is out. If her teeth are bad I'd be willng to bet there is residual stiffness from them being bad that will benefit from a chiropractor.
Check your saddle fit as well. Pinching in the shoulders or the bars over the ribs would cause pain when flexing. |
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| Your horse is crooked. All horses are to some degree, just like humans (left and right handed). Excessive crookedness may be a result of unsoundness, chiro, teeth, saddle fit etc. Excercises that make them use both hind legs efficiently help a lot. Hill work, dressage work, and swimming are good at helping fix this. |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
    Location: Dubach, LA | Equine Sports Massage Therapy! |
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Boot Detective
Posts: 1900
     
| It can be a result of any one of many things but I would start by having teeth checked, feet checked for soreness, see the chiro, and if the problem remains a good lameness vet. I had one that was being stiff to one side but she needed her teeth done and she had a sore front foot from being thin soled. And some horses are just more extremely right or left "handed" and they take a lot of extra work to their weak side to get them supple in both directions. Hope this helps and good luck.
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