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Post by kelly on Feb 19, 2013 21:38:42 GMT -5
I am so excited to be back in the saddle and Gunner has been a patient horse with me and my out of shapeness. ;D But he has trouble getting the left lead, which was an issue the first time I tried him too. Our trainer is having us do some easy leg yields that she thinks will eventually help him with that weak side. She thinks that once we can do a proper shoulder-in, we will get that left lead consistently.
Any other advice? I can sometimes get the left lead by leg yielding to the outside and then "stopping" with the outside leg into the canter.
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Feb 19, 2013 21:48:13 GMT -5
If he'll pick it up freely without you in the saddle (in the field, on the longe), your balance/position/timing of aids may be at issue. If he regularly prefers the right lead, it could be simple weakness/one-sideness (which can certainly be addressed by training), or it may be soreness in the right hind. If he improves with a bute trial (1g am and pm is what I try, for three days in a row), you'll know.
Shoulder in, done correctly (meaning true bend, not just neck) is a good strengthening exercise for abs and hind legs (which take greater flexion/weight).
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Post by kelly on Feb 20, 2013 9:34:07 GMT -5
Thanks Teach. When I brought him home in November, he picked up his left lead in the round pen only 25% of the time. Now he's about 80% correct.
I do think I need more help with my position and timing also since he is improving on his own but not under saddle.
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