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Horse Riding problem?

Hi, My 16.1hh CBxTB mare and I have recently started riding again (May) we are working four to five times a week for approx one hour just doing basic schooling work. I have a lesson once a week on her and she has a schooling session with my instructor once a week also. We have hit a problem. My mare will not flex through her neck, cornering like a motor bike on her left rein. We have started using a passoea on her and she is responding well and have had her back/teeth/feet checked so know it is not any of these. When riding her even after the passoea she resists as much as she can to a accept the bit and even more of a problem is to look the way she is actually going! I am also having trouble because of this stopping her when she is in canter! any suggestions as to why she is doing this or how to correct it? I know I prob need to change the bit but what to, I dont want a hrd mouthed horse (she is currently in a D rind snaffle)? Thanks

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Answer #1

As for the bit, maybe try an Easy Bit…and some round pen work? Like use one rein just to pull her head to that side (pull it thru the saddle cinch ring), just a little to begin a flex, and just a short amout of time in any one session, to allow her to get the “feel”, plus it stretches her neck muscles like a yoga exercise. Just let her meander around the pen on her own…she will start to give on that side…litlle by little, and you can tighten it a little as she begins to give. Remember, just a short time, and very gradually…do both sides even with this exercise…even tho she flexing on the other, it gives her the idea that she has to do it on her off side, too.

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