Answer

By Your Horse

TTeam Practitioner Claire Marr replies:

First of all, take responsibility for this situation and don’t go beyond your capabilities out hacking. Riding can be a high risk sport and, if you end up out of control in an open space, you can endanger yourself, your horse and the general public if he gets loose on the roads.
Why not book some lessons with an instructor on a schoolmaster horse so your riding position can be assessed? You could also have an instructor give you a lesson on your own horse – this will help you find out if your problems stem from you or your horse. Be prepared to go back to basics with your horse and remember young horses have to learn to rebalance with a rider on board, so you should always school in a small space. Schooling problems and bucking can indicate tension in your horse’s back, so you should have him checked by a qualified chiropractor, and his saddle fit should be checked too. Look him over in detail for indications that he is
in discomfort.
● Is he symmetrical and equal on both sides – does his mane fall to one side, or both?
● Run your hand slowly over him with just enough pressure to feel the tissue under the skin. Does it all feel the same? Can you feel temperature changes?
● Does he flinch or fidget when you touch him? You should be able to touch every part of him without him being uncomfortable.