cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-09-25 12:29 PM

 My horse is perfect on his right lead. He lopes along at a nice pace and responds well to neck reining with a couple half halts here and there if he does get a little quick. But his left lead is the opposite. He wants to lean in on the corners and constantly tries to speed up. No matter what I do to slow him down and rebalance him, he doesn't seem to "get" it. I know this can just be a strength issue, but have you heard of it being caused by any other physical issues? If it is just strength, is there anything other than just cantering around and around that helps strengthen both sides equally?

cheryl makofka - 2015-09-25 1:55 PM How much training has the horse had, is the horse broke? Is this a new thing? How long have you been riding the horse? How old is the horse? When was the last vet check?

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-09-25 2:26 PM   He's pretty well broke. I wouldn't say COMPLETELY finished but he has a good understanding of the basics. He's 7, I bought him a year ago. I only rode him a few times (and I did not notice the issue then) before he got strangles, then an abscess, then the back pain which turned out to be kissing spine. So he was not ridden until mid july and I've been slowly getting him in shape since then. He was last seen by the vet in May but in march or april we were still trying to figure out the back thing so did flexion tests and x-rayed his hocks. The vet said he had very very minor changes in his rt hock but that it was so minor injections would be a waste of money at this point.

cheryl makofka - 2015-09-25 3:02 PM

On the flexion test what was his graded lameness on the right?

I don't know much about kissing spine, but I would be asking the vet if kissing spine could be causing pain and causing him to drop his shoulder.

From what I have been told if they are not turning circles a certain direction it is the opposite hind leg.

So this would make sense if he has arthritic changes on the right he has worse circles to the left.

A lot can change in a few months, just because the horse has minor changes doesn't mean the horse is not in pain, it is like people everyone has a different pain tolerance.

I would also have chiro and massage work on him, if this doesn't resolve the issue, I would be heading back to the vet

BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-09-25 6:25 PM

Forget running barrels on him and make him into
a good trail and family horse to sell ..
and stay out of the arena ..

Now go buy you a healthy horse
that is worth spending your time and money on!!
Your ongoing vet bills should make this easy to happen!!

cow pie - 2015-09-25 9:40 PMSore hocks and bad shoeing could cause this. But you can use a correction bit and running martingale while making a circle put left hand forward with a slightly shortened rein and lift your hand toward the moon.place your left leg on his side and your right leg off his side. You should feel him come up under himself .

oranges - 2015-09-26 6:57 AM Was he previously roped on? Have a horse been roped on 15 years. I am always up in arms on the left lead. For 2 years we've been working on it.

Fairweather - 2015-09-26 7:21 AM Every colt that I've ever started and most horses I've legged back up have been fast on one lead and have wanted to drop a shoulder or cut. I usually do a ton of transitions on the ground and under saddle and that helps quite a bit. I also work a whole lot on lateral work loosening up the shoulders and hips so I can move them over if I need to too. I do a lot of work on making circles bigger and smaller. Counter canter will help strengthen one too. 

Bibliafarm - 2015-09-26 8:22 AM  Agree... if no pain issue. I thought she said he was sore I Might have read it wrong.

Id still do a Flex test and go from there.. but I agree with the exercises. Since hes been down for so long start over basics and do these exercises to build him up..He is leaning running because he cant hold the balance  or he is sore. How is he on a lunge line? can he hold it then? hes still a bit young in his training if hes been off for awhile.. rebuild him.. also make sure your balance isnt throwing him off..alot of riders Barrel racers I see tend to lean to that side.. you need to Pick him up with your hip pelvis and leg on that side and put your weight more center outside.

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-09-26 12:07 PM He has never shown one iota of soreness with the flexion tests both when I bought him a year ago or in the spring. He always picks up the correct lead and has no trouble holding it under saddle, on the lunge, or at liberty. We do a LOT of transitions especially on the lunge, and they're getting smoother. We've been doing more and more lateral work. He was rusty at first but he is having more "OMG I KNOW THIS!" moments every ride. I don't *think* I'm leaning at all. I need to drag my sister out to video me so I can see myself, but I'm very conscious of my position. I'll confess, despite being a member on here I have competed in barrel racing exactly one time but have done dressage for years and years, so while I'm out of shape, I KNOW how I need to sit and ride. Hopefully in the spring I'll start lessons with my old dressage instructor again, just for some backup and continuing education for both Cash and I.

Bibliafarm - 2015-09-26 11:38 AM  I was just giving you some opinions and advice.. glad hes getting better!!..and the fact he doesnt have issues on lunge line is a good thing..... from our past conversations via messeging last year or times before I didnt realize you have done dressage for years and years :) anyway good luck.