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  Discussion on Stiff side 2
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2000 - 8:07 pm:

I have a 6 yo American warmblood who refuses to trot/canter counter-clockwise. I have tried lunging and riding this direction with little success; he will go to the middle of the ring or through the outside fence of the ring or lunge pen if possible. He goes beautifully clockwise. I purchased him three months ago and he had no work until I got him. He is a bit barn sour but enjoys open fields and has been started on small jumps with success. I would like to know what might be causing his reluctance to go counter clockwise and what exercises could help in building up his ability to work in that direction.

Posted on Monday, Feb 14, 2000 - 1:55 pm:

Hi Jessie,

could you give a bit more information please? Does he totally refuse to go at all counter-clockwise or is he just unbalanced and unable to pick up the correct lead? What happens if you try to trot him in hand (i.e., on a lead line) to the left?

Teresa

Posted on Monday, Feb 14, 2000 - 5:23 pm:

Teresa,
His refusal is by ducking to the center of the ring when we attempt to trot counter-clockwise and turn himself around so he is going clockwise. When we tried on the lunge line, he stopped and turned or refused to go forward and as a last resort broke through the fence of the lunge pen. We were able (after nearly an hour of fighting him) to get him to trot a complete lap counter clockwise by having one person with a lead line and lunge whip in the center and with myself trotting him with a lead on his outside. As he has had almost no work in his 6 years, at this point we aren't worried so much about picking up the correct lead as we are with basic obedience and getting him to soften and go counter clockwise.
Jessie

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2000 - 3:16 am:

Hi Jessie,
That amount of resistance would mean pain to me. Has your vet checked him out? A horse normally goes more easily on the left rein, I can't remember why, so there might well be muscular or spinal problems.
Also, do you have a good equine physio around? That would help him.
I do have some exercises to do in the stable with him to help him stretch and be more supple - if you're interested, I could e-mail or fax them to you.
Let me know,
Alexa

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2000 - 8:47 am:

Hi Jessie,

I agree with Alexa, you might want to have a complete physical done as his reaction is so strong. If you find that it's behavioral then you will have to fix it slowly and gradually. You'll find that there are more questions then answers at first.
I would start on the ground first (lead line, then lunge) then under saddle. Does he do this with everyone? what is his past? Is it possible that somehow he's figured out that this a good way to resist work? If it's resistance to work then you will need to work through this otherwise you won't have a ridable horse.

Is it possible that previous owners only lunged him one way????

Can you ride him counter-clockwise in the field on a really large circle????

good luck

Teresa

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2000 - 7:11 am:

Teresa, Alexa,
Thanks for your input. I had a complete vet check prior to buying the horse (early Dec). There were no indications of problems during the vet check. My vet has also known this horse since it was born and has never had any problems with him. We (I work with a trainer 3-5 times a week) believe it is stiffness from not having worked at all before I bought him. Alexa, if you could email the exercises you mentioned, we will try that and see how it goes. Thanks again. Jessie

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2000 - 1:09 pm:

Hi Jessie,

I have posted the exercises to "Training Horses - Tips and Tricks" as other members might find them useful as well. I do hope they help your horse.

Cheers,
Alexa

Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 7:12 am:

Two other things you may want to recheck are teeth and length of legs. My favorite incredible vet from the vet school tells me a lot of times stiffnes is caused by improper/incomplete floating (they never spend less than 45 min. a horse to float, and it's hard work! There can be pain caused by the bit.
My ferrier knew my neices horse was stiff on the left as soon as we walked him out and we hadn't said a word! The horse's left leg is 1 inch shorter. He showed me by standing directly in front of the horse and comparing the muscle on both shoulders. I had to prove it so we got a measuring stick and sure enough his left leg is shorter! The soultion was to put in a pad to compensate-the difference is amazing because he can now carry the weight equally.
One of the best stretching exercises we learned was to stand the horse next to a wall/fence and hold a carrot 1/2 way back on his side. He has to stretch to get it. The goal is to have the horse be able to reach the carrot when it is all the way back to the rump, but it may take some time in the begining.
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