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Discussion on Walking Straight
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New Member:
blkpnt
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 12:32 pm:
I have a gelding that I cannot seem to get him to walk in a straight line. He like to walk in arc always bending one side of his body.
Thanks!!
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 1:02 pm:
There could be any one of many reasons for this. I would begin with you, how are you sitting on him? Would the corresponding seat bone be more 'down and into him' for instance? Does the saddle fit correctly or might it be pinching more on the corresponding side causing more pressure so that's where he goes?
etc.
Unless the horse has a physical issue, he will follow where the pressure or the weight is/goes on him.  They do this quite naturally.
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New Member:
blkpnt
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 1:16 pm:
I sit on him straight with no pressure on either sides and he starts to look around and I tug gently on the rein to make him walk straight. He does this under saddle and bareback.
Two months ago I had a Chiropracter put his hip back into place the right hip was higher than the left. He is also 7 yrs. old
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 1:58 pm:
NO offense meant here(!), but might it be possible you think you are sitting squarely, but really aren't?? :]
My pelvis is so out of alignment that often I think I am square but I am not, my horse is usually first to tell me. That he also does exactly the same thing bareback leads me to believe that you are indeed sitting with a bit more weight on one seatbone, but don't realize, or feel, it.
For instance if he is at liberty just walking around, does he ever walk in a straight line to something? It may actually be something physical. His having one hip higher doesn't necessarily mean he will always bend one way or other, though having a rib out might suggest that. Yes if his pelvis is out he would be prone to possibly favoring one side, as his stride would be uneven at ground. Unless this is how his pelvis is. I have known a couple horses that had a higher side, it was the way their pelvis was. And yes their stride was affected because of it, but they both had severe lift on one side. (Much like my own pelvis, mine due to severe scoliosis of the lower spine)
It may be more expedient for you to try to explain to me in great detail how you ask him to walk on and what he does with his boy. Describe each progressive step, etc. and I do mean in an ad nauseum amount of detail.
Otherwise I have way too many questions before being able to offer anything at all remotely resembling suggestions.
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Member:
blkpnt
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 8:58 pm:
OK no problem!! Today I rode and was square.... He walked in a straight line for about two steps then his head took him elsewhere. That is where I tug his head back into place.
For a departure at a walk I mount up sit there for a second or two then make a smooching noise and ask him to walk.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 7:21 am:
I agree with Terri, though physical problems are possible, most likely this is a riding/training possibly tack problem. The easiest way to sort this out is to seek professional riding assistance to check out your tack and see if they can ride the horse straight with a balanced seat, if not consider veterinary intervention.
DrO
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 9:34 am:
Thanks DrO!
Ok, "blkpnt" the term detail means to provide more words than what you have given. And since you haven't provided near enough info it's impossible for me to attempt to suggest much anything. If you really wish to pursue this thread, then please answer the following:
What style of riding do you do? (I assume western based on his head moving about on his own, this suggests a loose rein style)
What type of bit do you use with him?
OK, now this one may be a bit beyond your ability to describe in enough detail for me to fully comprehend what you are doing, but I am going to ask once more...
As he is walking what exactly do you feel underneath your butt?
Can you lift your heels up toward your butt by placing a huge bend in your knees, and then describe exactly what you feel on the left and right side underneath your butt/seat bones?
If you raise your heels up as described above while he walks, please describe his reaction at walk. Does he continue to look all around? Or does he sigh, lower his head a bit more and just walk forward (more or less in a straight line)?
Let's begin with these, please.
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Member:
blkpnt
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 2:43 pm:
I apologize for not providing enough information I have only been riding for 3-4s and I'm still learning. I do western I am currently working on training him to compete in athletic events. I have owned him for 1 year. He and I are kinda still learning eachother. I use a tomthumb snaffle he has a very sensitive mouth. I might be the problem, when I shift my weight to one side he turns immediately. He has a rocky gait when he walks. when he walks I feel like I am being rocked side to side like an elephant rocks. At a trot I feel like I am being bounced up and down. He likes to look at his surroundings a lot. When I ride with my heels up he pays more attention to me, and yes he does walk a more or less straight line... So I take it it is me that makes his not walk a straight line?
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 4:10 pm:
Yup for the straight lines you are more likely the problem, don't get me wrong he has a part in it as well, but if he is this sensitive, and he responds better when you lift your heels up, it's you.
OK, in other threads we have said 'get help, get lessons'. LOL Start there. ;)
When you raise your heels up it places your seat more firmly into his back. If he goes straight this way, not tending to curve to one direction or other at all, then you can sit square on him - lucky you! So what must be happening normally when you just "sit" is you are placing more pressure on one side, he goes that direction.
At walk, just let him go where he will, try really hard to NOT guide him. Pay attention to his body and where his feet go. What I mean is does he begin to turn more to the left?? If so, check your right seat bone. Can you press the right side down a bit more and straighten him out?? NO HANDS!! Leave hs mouth the heck alone, PLant your hands in one position - fix them - and keep them there.
This simple exercise will tell you alot about you and him. It will tell you exactly how sensitive he is to your weight and pressure, and it wil definitely tell you how 'straight' you are sitting on him.
One more bit though, in western it's also quite common to have a saddle list to one side or other. So check that as well, and make sure the saddle is dead center on his back too. (Horn should be aligned with his neck, etc.
As to his walk and trot...
Sounds like he has a good swing thru his back at walk, and he is using his legs. This is a good thing really. At trot though the bouncing feeling is due to his not bending in his leg joints (rears) and possibly you tensing to try to hang on too. Again lessons will help.
If you can get to Dennis's clinic - go! But you need regular lessons, a few days at a clinic will help get you started, but you will need to continue on.
It's all 'fixable'!! Just takes time, patience and guidance.
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 4:12 pm:
Yup for the straight lines you are more likely the problem, don't get me wrong he has a part in it as well, but if he is this sensitive, and he responds better when you lift your heels up, it's you.
OK, in other threads we have said 'get help, get lessons'. LOL Start there. ;)
When you raise your heels up it places your seat more firmly into his back. If he goes straight this way, not tending to curve to one direction or other at all, then you can sit square on him - lucky you! So what must be happening normally when you just "sit" is you are placing more pressure on one side, he goes that direction.
At walk, just let him go where he will, try really hard to NOT guide him. Pay attention to his body and where his feet go. What I mean is does he begin to turn more to the left?? If so, check your right seat bone. Can you press the right side down a bit more and straighten him out?? NO HANDS!! Leave his mouth the heck alone, Plant your hands in one position - fix them - and keep them there.
This simple exercise will tell you alot about you and him. It will tell you exactly how sensitive he is to your weight and pressure, and it will definitely tell you how 'straight' you are sitting on him.
One more bit though, in western it's also quite common to have a saddle list to one side or other. So check that as well, and make sure the saddle is dead center on his back. (Horn should be aligned with his neck, etc.)
As to his walk and trot...
Sounds like he has a good swing thru his back at walk, and he is using his legs. This is a good thing really. At trot though the bouncing feeling could be due to his not bending in his leg joints (rears) and possibly you tensing to try to hang on too. Again lessons will help.
If you can get to Dennis's clinic - go! But you need regular lessons, a few days at a clinic will help get you started, but you will need to continue on.
It's all 'fixable'!! Just takes time, patience and guidance.
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