Bridle Lameness Is It Myth or Not?

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 is 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.

Bridle lameness can effect a horse regardless of energy level or health. If a horse is not managed properly in the early phases of its training, even an experienced rider may unwittingly cause the condition by forcing the animal to over exert itself. The horse may fluctuate between being hesitant and rushing ahead. Horses may not exhibit the behavior in an extended trot, though in collected trot they may try to go above the bit and refuse to step forwards. Nodding head and non-symmetrical stepping is also common.

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.

If you suspect that your horse might be bridle lame, pay special attention when practicing your horseback riding instruction to developing a correctly balanced seat, while keeping an equal but light touch on both reins. Ride your horse forward without rushing him and allow him to establish his own natural rhythm.

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
About the Author:

Jim is a professional horse rider and instructor. Check his how to ride a horse site for a complete horseback riding ebook and more horseback riding instruction help.

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