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  Discussion on Resistance in jaw
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Member:
maggienm

Posted on Sunday, Mar 18, 2007 - 1:46 pm:

I am pretty sure I saw a couple of answers to this problem in a different post but I couldn't find it.
my mare is very resistent in her left jaw while on the right rein.
She is not stiff in that we have been doing suppling exercises all winter, she will 'give to the bit' softly all the way to my boot and stand there quiet, relaxed, soft eyed, till the cows come home.
The problem starts when we are working, it seems to me the correct correction is to use my inside leg?
I can get her soft but I since I do a variety of things I am not sure which one is really doing the trick.
In part the problem is old habit, maybe even all of it now.
If I were riding her western might not even notice because she does give so well.
When I take up contact and ask for give with both reins she gives but I can feel her heavy in my left rein.
This is more noticable traveling to the right.
Thanks for the help.
Member:
amara

Posted on Sunday, Mar 18, 2007 - 2:25 pm:

hi lori...
first off-are there any physical problems with the horse? the ability to flex her neck to the side is really of limited value when it comes to working under saddle.. it is just a "neck movement"...so the fact that she can move her neck and give her jaw while standing still does not mean there is not a physical problem going on...
does the saddle fit? any back problems? any hind end problems? any arthritis-especially in the hocks?... dental work done regularly? any problems there? does the bit fit properly in her mouth (both in that it is positioned correctly from the bridle but also that it is the correct size and type for her mouth)... i hate to push a horse for better responses under saddle only to find out there was a physical problem in the first place that has limited the horse... so rule out any possible physical problem first...

each hind leg connects most to the front end on that respective side-and therefore to the hand... if-assuming there is no physical problem-she is heavy on the left side-then you need to increase her activity front her left hind end...as you increase her energy make sure you gather and control it in your seat-not letting her fall into your hands... use your hands only to get a basic softness, and then increase the use of your leg/s to get her hind end more motivated...spend a lot of time in long and low to get her topline to loosen up... dont think about bend-even on a corner or circle-instead think about riding her straight into your hands... alternate the feel/release motion of your hands, but keep it light... dont fall into holding her up with one or both hands... keep at it with the leg.. use an artificial aid if necessary, but if it increases tension in her topline you will be self-limiting her response...make sure you retain a steady tempo-even as you ask her for more energy from your leg... make sure you regulate with your seat.. if you cannot do from sitting trot than do it in posting by not letting yourself post faster... if she goes faster than it wont help...

make sure your hands are open and away from each other... not necesarily way far apart-tho that can be useful at times-but make sure that they are not closed in on her neck, as it can tend to cause a horse to tighten up...

good luck
Member:
maggienm

Posted on Monday, Mar 19, 2007 - 12:06 am:

What you've suggested is what I've been doing so I feel more confident that what I'm doing is correct and now must persevere.
Thanks.
Member:
amara

Posted on Monday, Mar 19, 2007 - 11:04 pm:

good for you... just remember you wont be necessarily increasing your use of inside leg.. you may be using more outside leg, dependent upon what direction you are going... connect hand to leg on same side..

good luck!
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