Saddle Fit & Pain
Saddle fit has a huge affect on how happily our horses work. Even a well fitted saddle that your horse is not happy in will affect their quality of work.
In this video Phoenix is working in a new saddle that has been fitted to him professionally a couple of weeks prior. I know Phoenix quite well and could feel him not wanting to work up over his back and into my seat. I wasn't sure what was wrong so kept riding wondering if he just needed more warming up.
Once we got into the canter however it was clear he was unhappy not wanting to pick up his left canter lead. So I jumped off him and swapped saddles to a different horses saddle that I knew he was comfortable working in even though it's not his saddle.
The improvement was huge!!
Trouble shooting training issues is complex. It takes time to work through it. It takes a mentality that isn't "just push them through it, they're just being naughty". It takes a complimentary approach from a wide range of other industry professionals. And most importantly, it takes listening to your horse and allowing them to communicate their needs with you.