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

If your horse exhibits these traits during horseback riding instruction, he is trying to give you important information about how you use your reins, which only you can correct to make you both more comfortable.

What is Bridle Lameness?

A horse who is perfectly sound when grazing in the paddock or when put into a halter and exercised on a lunge line, who suddenly goes lame when put on the same lunge line wearing a bridle or when being ridden is referred to as “bridle lame”. This condition manifests itself by uneven head nodding, as if the horse had gone lame in one foreleg, and in very severe cases, the horse will appear to have suffered chronic back problems.

The horse will lean towards one rein and away from the other which will affect his strides when walking or trotting. Apparent lameness results from the horse’s unbalanced contact as he may appear crooked and may shorten his stride in one hind leg to compensate for the lean to one side.

Both slow, steady and energetic, fast horses can show bridle lameness. Even advanced riders who have had years of horseback riding instruction can cause this symptom by pushing their horses too far without having ridden in a correct position in the early stages of the animal’s training. Their horses change back and forth between rushing ahead and pulling back. They don’t behave as lame in the extended trot, but refuse to step forwards in collected trot and attempt to go above the bit, showing nodding head and uneven steps.

What Causes Bridle Lameness & How Can It Be Cured?

Bridle lameness is not caused by the horse, but by an unbalanced rider who remains stiff in one arm. As a result, with the horse being tugged on one side, he cannot relax in the back. In an effort to compensate for the lack of balance and direction from his rider, he must work extra hard. This extra work puts uneven amounts of stress on the horse’s legs and makes him prone to leg injury.

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.

It will take a lot of patience to correct a horse that has been bridle lame for an extended time. Learning to function without being crooked will take some time to get used to. Once the manner of his movement is corrected to maintain an even, flexible contact he will perform properly when in the saddle.

Jim is a professional horse rider and instructor. Check his horseback lessons site for a complete horseback riding ebook and additional horseback riding instruction tips.

Tags: Horses