| Often a confusing and difficult to diagnose condition, | | | | may fluctuate between being hesitant and rushing |
| bridle lameness is also referred to as Zügellahmheit | | | | ahead. Horses may not exhibit the behavior in an |
| or 'rein lameness' in German. It is important that you | | | | extended trot, though in collected trot they may try to |
| watch your mount carefully as you ride him for signs | | | | go above the bit and refuse to step forwards. Nodding |
| of discomfort which need to be cared for as soon as | | | | head and non-symmetrical stepping is also common. |
| possible. | | | | What Are The Causes Of Bridle Lameness And How |
| What Are The Signs Of Bridle Lameness? | | | | Can It Be Treated? |
| A horse that appears perfectly fine while in the | | | | A rider who lacks balance and is stiff in one arm can |
| paddock or lunged in a halter may go lame when being | | | | cause bridle lameness in his mount. Rider stiffness |
| ridden or lunged in the bridle. When this happens, the | | | | results in a mount that is not able to relax in the back. |
| horse is said to be "bridle lame" and may manifest in | | | | As a result, the horse's legs are forced to work harder |
| uneven head nodding, the horse appearing to be lame | | | | to compensate for the imbalance. This can result in an |
| in one foreleg, or appearing to have spinal pain or | | | | injury to the horse's leg due to the uneven stress. |
| stiffness. | | | | It is important that the rider learn to develop a balanced |
| The horse will lean towards one rein and away from | | | | seat and proper and equal contact on both reins if their |
| the other which will affect his strides when walking or | | | | horse is showing signs of bridle lameness. Allow the |
| trotting. Apparent lameness results from the horse's | | | | animal to discover his natural stride and rhythm without |
| unbalanced contact as he may appear crooked and | | | | rushing him as you ride forwards. |
| may shorten his stride in one hind leg to compensate | | | | It will take a lot of patience to correct a horse that has |
| for the lean to one side. | | | | been bridle lame for an extended time. Learning to |
| Bridle lameness can effect a horse regardless of | | | | function without being crooked will take some time to |
| energy level or health. If a horse is not managed | | | | get used to. Once the manner of his movement is |
| properly in the early phases of its training, even an | | | | corrected to maintain an even, flexible contact he will |
| experienced rider may unwittingly cause the condition | | | | perform properly when in the saddle. |
| by forcing the animal to over exert itself. The horse | | | | |