Horseback Riding Instruction: Understanding And Curing Bridle Lameness

Bridle lameness (Zgellahmheit or 'rein lameness' in German) can be a mystifying phenomenon until correctly identified.

It is important that you watch your mount carefully during your horseback riding instruction for signs of discomfort which need to be cared for as soon as possible.

What Are The Signs Of Bridle Lameness?

A perfectly sound horse in the paddock, or when lunged in a halter, which suddenly goes lame when lunged in the bridle or being ridden, is known as 'bridle lame.' This condition shows itself by uneven head nodding, as if the horse were lame in one foreleg, and in extreme cases the horse appears to suffer chronic back issues.

He is leaning on one rein and avoiding the other, which makes his walk and trot strides uneven. The result of this unbalanced contact is that the horse is moving in a constantly crooked motion, with one of his hind legs making shorter strides than the other, leading to apparent lameness.

Both sluggish and more energetic horses can show bridle lameness. Even riders who are advanced in their horseback riding instruction can cause it by pushing their horses too far without having ridden correctly in the early stages of the animals' training. Their horses alternate between rushing ahead and hesitating. They aren't lame in extended trot but refuse to step forwards in collected trot and attempt to go above the bit, with nodding head and uneven steps.

What Causes Bridle Lameness & How Can It Be Cured?

A rider who lacks balance and is stiff in one arm can cause bridle lameness in his mount. Rider stiffness results in a mount that is not able to relax in the back. As a result, the horse's legs are forced to work harder to compensate for the imbalance. This can result in an injury to the horse's leg due to the uneven stress.

It is important that the rider learn to develop a balanced seat and proper and equal contact on both reins if their horse is showing signs of bridle lameness. Allow the animal to discover his natural stride and rhythm without rushing him as you ride forwards.

A horse that has been exhibiting bridle lameness for a long time will require patience on your part. He'll probably take a while to adjust to no longer feeling crooked when he is being ridden. Once he's allowed to move forward, feeling straight and free, into a comfortable, elastic gait, he'll no longer show signs of being lame under the saddle.

by: Jim Milton

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