keeping balance!

[Enixam]

Whats some exercises i can do with sox to help him keep his balance, if hes trotting, he'll make a turn and half way through hell just bolt it, like hes trying not to slipp. i just dont want to be riding him at a trot, then BAMN flat out everytime we mnake a turn!
.

[slidingstop]

Lots of transitions and half halts, you have to wait for him to gain muscle, make sure your not holding his face cause you have to let him find the balance

[2stephanie]

lateral movements are great for balance!

[katherine]

At first I would just trot around the arena on a reasonably loose rein until my horse was able to find her own balance. When she finds herself off balance she'll speed up to try to catch herself. Practicing on her own without me interfering with her face was very helpful. Also, lots of lunging is good for improving balance without a rider.

We ONLY trot on a 20-meter now to work on her balance on a circle WITH rein contact. When she speeds up or paces then we downward transition to a halt, flex, and then trot again the moment she is supple and balanced. This probably would only work on a horse that prefers trotting over halting. It may be considered a reward if you have a lazy horse!

[Deleted]

Get the vet to check out the horse, sounds like a lameness issue to me.

[happilyeverafter]

I would also have the vet double check this... a horse doesnt usually bolt out of trot to catch their balance, especially one that (as far as I knew) is solidly broke.

To me it sounds like he's trying to avoid something: perhaps he expects something to hurt (maybe a strained tendon, shoulder injury or something?) OR he expects to get some kind of reaction from his rider that he doesnt want (maybe a kick or a haul on the mouth etc).

Once you've ruled out physical issues and rider errors, start working on building rhythm and strength. Trot only straight lines. Trot only straight lines until: he doesnt run away when you ask him to move forward; the rhythm is 100% consistent and steady; he comes back to a walk quietly and rhythmically when you ask (IE. he cant fall out of the trot into a walk all of a sudden, it should be organic but obedient.)

Lunging is ALWAYS a great idea (after physical ailments have been ruled out) if you have the footing and space to do it. Put your horse on a BIG circle. Small circles are very difficult for unbalanced animals, not to mention if he's injured you will only do more damage.

Encourage the horse to go slow and steady, sing a song if necessary (my mare likes jingle bells, haha) and just work through some transitions and steady trot work.

Dont do more than 30 minutes on the lunge, and make sure you do both sides evenly, otherwise you'll only cause him to build up uneven muscles, therefore making the balance struggle even more difficult!

Good luck!