Re-Training A 10 Year Old Horse

by Rachael

Hi,
I bought a 10 yr old horse in September. I knew he was going to be a big project when I bought him as he was neglected quite severely. He was terribly under weight and had lots of vices especially in the stable but I kept working with him because I could see the loving horse underneath the terrified non trusting one.

Dali is now the correct weight, but he still needs a lot of muscle mass restored. He is balanced on the lunge on any size circle, and in the school he now knows what I’m asking of him but he seems to fight having to bend in the corners. Is this soreness from sudden work? Or is it lack of balance or something more sinister? Is there anything to help besides just continuing the routine as I don’t want to cause him pain, especially with all his progress schooling is his last hurdle.

On a bend he is very difficult to bend and he often tried to walk round corners straight swinging his back end round or by pushing his front legs out sideways. The problem is most noticeable in rising trot and less in sitting trot. Is it me using the wrong aids, as I do have one weak leg from an old horse kick.

Thanks very much for the help,
Rachael

Answer:

Hi Rachael,
There are several factors that come to mind in your situation.

First, any horse that has been compromised health wise often has a longer road to recovery than we realize or expect. Weight alone is just one part but balance and muscle strength is another as you have noted. Add to that conformational questions and joint weaknesses and we could be asking something of a horse that is just too difficult.

Dali’s emotional instability in the beginning speaks volumes as to how his learning curve would unfold as well. He would need a slow methodical understanding and not be pushed beyond his capabilities. Clicker Training would be a very valuable tool for you.

You haven’t mentioned what bred or height Dali is or what is environmental situation is. Particulary regarding housing. Does he live outside 24/7, with others? A horse coming out of his situation (and all horses) would benefit from constant freedom.

Another area to consider is the saddle. Are you using a treeless saddle? If not, I highly recommend this. There is no comparison to how a horse can bend and lengthen stride with the use of a treeless saddle vs. a treed one.

You mentioned that Dali can bend in a circle while being lunged. This could indicate that the saddle and rider maybe getting in his way when ridden. When a horse needs to bend for a corner we often get in their way by having too much weight in our bodies to the inside or outside. They can’t lift up what we weight down. Imagine yourself walking in a big circle to the left. You would need to bend your back slightly to the left (raising your right shoulder), more weight is on your left leg so you can raise your right leg freely to step out in front. You then briefly weight your right leg and repeat the process until you complete the turn.

Here is where I would start. At a stand, teach my horse to flex his neck equally to both sides? (able to bend his neck without resistance). You should be able to feel his back bend slightly and notice if resistance is there. Then while in lateral flexion, can he move his hind quarters over a step or two? (both sides) by applying the smallest touch to his side. From here if all is well then I would walk a few steps forward and bend him slightly and ask his hind quarters to step over. Similar to a small side pass. Which brings us to that question, can he side pass? I trust you are riding bitless?

It would look like this if I wanted to bend to the right. Walk forward, pick up my left rein to ask for flexion and have the nose tilt to the left. Once the nose is bent to the left, I apply by left leg just behind the girth to ask for the hind quarters to move to the right a step. Once he does, release and walk forward again. Repeat on one side at least three times before trying on the other. You will find all horses have a preferred side. Discover which one is easiest and start on that side first.

In addition, I also teach a horse to move his front quarters up and over separately from his hind quarters too.

In your situation, I also wouldn’t eliminate equine massage therapy, nutrition, hoof care, conformational problems and his previous history to this equation.

Oh, and change up his routine. How about more breaks between “schooling” and having fun! Horse’s love recess!