Horsey Balance?!?!?!?

Question

My 4 year old thorughbred mare, seems to lose her balance when we are troting, its werid its as if she nearly trips over and she moves her head about, i dont know why she does it, i ride her in fields. What can i do to bring her balance on. Thanks xx

Answer 1

lounge line to help her learn to balance herself. as for you a basic solution is to relax in the saddle, lift your sternum and lift your toes.

Answer 2

Does she only do it under saddle or has she done it when she just trotting around? Does she actually trip with her feet and dip her head or does she seem to stagger and/or sway to the side swinging her head? Does she only do it at the trot? What about the canter?

If she only does it under saddle and she's not been ridden alot it could possibly be that she's unused to balancing your weight, it's possible you could be getting out of balance and unknowingly causing her to be.

My best advice would be get a veterinarian out to have her checked out if this is a common thing and she also  does it while not carrying a rider as this could also be signs of either EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) or Wobblers Syndrome -- caused by misaligned or compressed vertabrae compressing the spinal cord, they literally have no idea where their feet are so it's hard for them to balance.

Answer 3

Four year old's are pretty clumbsy since they're still growing. Make sure that you're not throwing her off balance either! It will take time. She needs to build her confidence too so try doing this in solid ground (not an uneven pasture) if you can so she can build that confidence faster. Hope that helps!

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my 15.1 7yo tb gelding. On the right rein he is completely balanced and collects nicley, but on the left rein in trot and canter, he is totally unbalanced. I brought a lunging training aid a few weeks ago, and this has really helped. It makes the horse work on the forehand and keeps them in a nice shape at the same time. I have started lunging him every day for 20mins on the left rein then only 10 mins on the right rein. This has helped him become alot more balanced, and I am now able to compete in dressage! Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Hi There,

Well balance is really needed to have a safe ride.

What I would do is start off with circles at walk and rot and that will help he get more but muscle and help her lear to balance herself. Also work on the lunge line walk, trot and canter to help her learn to balance herself.

Good Luck!