S/O: Correcting asymmetrical hind end

[Paddys Mom]

My vet advised me to do twice as much canter work to the left than the right, to correct my horse's asymmetrical muscle development. His left side is noticeably more developed than his right side, when viewed from behind.

My trainer argues that we should do more canter work to the right to develop the right side (inside hind leg).

Which is correct??? :confused:

[JB]

Equal work both ways. The weaker side will dictate how much total work can be done.

what body part(s) is more developed, and how is that determined? Are you seeing a bigger shoulder on the left side?

[Androcles]

Since the outside hind leg does the work of starting and propelling the canter I would think your vet would be right. But that is the leg, not sure if that correlates to the whole side. When you say that side is more developed which parts do you mean? (BTW what does S/O mean?)

[Paddys Mom]

S/O = spin off. I started a thread about his injury and had a new question so I started a new thread.

Vet wrote: Asymmetry: L hip is more developed than R hip.

He had me stand behind Rebel and look at his hindquarters. At the top, you can see a noticeable difference between the muscling along the top of the hindquarters.

This is an old picture before he became asymmetrical, but I put red arrows so you can see where the vet was indicating.
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/23698/2856144360056982365S600x600Q85.jpg

[Jacqui]

I believe your vet is correct. The outside hind is the most active. My horse has a weak RH (sore hock) so cantering left is more difficult. He tends to carry his RH more to the center of his body. I have been using Surpass this week and also doing a lot of lateral exercises to help.

[JB]

But, while the RH does the pushing while on the left lead, it has a more forward movement while on the right lead. Both work different aspects of the leg, both are important for developing symmetry.

What are the shoulders doing? It would surprise me if the shoulders are symmetrical with an obvious hip asymmetry having developed.

What do the feet look like?

Has the cause of the asymmetrical development been determined and removed?

[EqTrainer]

Corrective riding is only effective if the reason for the asymmetry has been identified and can be resolved. Meaning, if the horse has been unsound you have to fix that first. If the rider has caused it then they have to learn to correct their ineffectiveness. Simply riding the same amount of time, or more, or less, won't change it one bit unless you know how to engage that leg/side correctly.

Vets do exactly what they are taught to do in vet school - identify something like that and point it out - which is great - but you probably need a trainer to get on your horse and say Oh Yeah, He Isn't Using *fill in the blank* Properly, Let's Get That Going!

[Paddys Mom]

What are the shoulders doing? It would surprise me if the shoulders are symmetrical with an obvious hip asymmetry having developed.

What do the feet look like?

Has the cause of the asymmetrical development been determined and removed?

Vet reports that his shoulders ARE symmetrical.
Vet reports that feet are balanced and symmetrical.

The reason for the vet visit was a sudden reluctance to canter (complete with kicking out/bucking) after being cast in his stall. So the hind end asymmetry was noted incidentally to that.

He has always been a bit less flexible to the left and has had some trouble lately holding the right canter lead. I have to assume my improper riding is the cause of the asymmetry, since the picture I have of his hindview from before purchase shows pretty symmetrical hips. :(

[Paddys Mom]

Corrective riding is only effective if the reason for the asymmetry has been identified and can be resolved. Meaning, if the horse has been unsound you have to fix that first. If the rider has caused it then they have to learn to correct their ineffectiveness. Simply riding the same amount of time, or more, or less, won't change it one bit unless you know how to engage that leg/side correctly.

Vets do exactly what they are taught to do in vet school - identify something like that and point it out - which is great - but you probably need a trainer to get on your horse and say Oh Yeah, He Isn't Using *fill in the blank* Properly, Let's Get That Going!

Well, true, first we have to make his back feel better from getting cast. :)

Then, I have to figure out how I am causing this imbalance.

My trainer gets on Rebel regularly, and that is why she thinks we need to do more right lead cantering.

What has been happening for a few weeks is that while cantering to the right, if I add a little right leg to improve his bend, he wants to swap to the left lead. Even though we have never taught him lead changes, it is a nice clean change, just not what I am trying to ask for. :lol:

He also tries to do this with my trainer aboard, but she is better able to keep him in the right lead because...well...she's a much better rider than I am! But she feels him "asking" to swap.

So I am guessing that I have inadvertently built up his left hind muscles and now he would prefer to canter on the left lead since his left hind is stronger.

Oh, I love this horse and I don't want to screw him up! :no:

[EqTrainer]

How long between getting cast and noticing the asymmetry?

I doubt that you have *caused* this, but uou probably have perpetuated it. Maybe it would help you to get a better understanding of straightening a horse so that you can avoid perpetuating this. All horses are crooked, it's our job to straighten them...

your thoughts? Do you understand the theory? Is it a "putting it into practice" issue or a "need to understand the theory first" problem? Different answers send you to different places.

[Paddys Mom]

How long between getting cast and noticing the asymmetry?

I doubt that you have *caused* this, but uou probably have perpetuated it. Maybe it would help you to get a better understanding of straightening a horse so that you can avoid perpetuating this. All horses are crooked, it's our job to straighten them...

your thoughts? Do you understand the theory? Is it a "putting it into practice" issue or a "need to understand the theory first" problem? Different answers send you to different places.

Rebel was cast 2/3, bucking/kicking out at my lesson 2/8, reevaluated by my trainer and I after two doses of aspirin 2/9, and vetted today.

I never noticed the asymmetry until the vet pointed it out, but I suspect I have been feeling the results of the asymmetry for the past few weeks (the lead swapping).

My trainer is always asking me for more bend.

This was me trying him last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIt4sfcGQNc
He was fat, out of shape, and only used for trail riding.

A lesson in September:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGTxuoMABlE
Our first time riding outside there and it was on a hill.

At a show in November:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9n9QbnupuM

From yesterday's DVD for the lameness exam today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ8NGhehSFQ

As far as straightness...again, my trainer is always asking me for more bend. :confused:

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me.
I am so grateful.

[dwblover]

Paddy's Mom, it's confusing, but bending actually creates the straightness. There is a GREAT article about this very subject in the most recent Dressage Today magazine. It's by Courtney King-Dye. You should really try to get a copy of this month's magazine and read it. I think it would clear some things up for you.

[EqTrainer]

I can't see the Youtubes!