Jigsaw still has a piece missing

I schooled Ace again today and had a very interesting result. On the left rein, no problems. On the right rein, BIG problems. The girth was the focus for his irritation, and he has stopped kicking out, but it is not the cause. I rode him for only 10 minutes yesterday, if that,  and I think the relief of removing the H girth was enough to make him happy. However, having removed the irritation of the girth it was crystal clear today that he has a physical problem turning right. I put him on the lunge to check whether I can see it, and it does not look either mechanical (hock, stifle, sacroiliac) or like a back muscle spasm. 

Common things being common, and ulcers now known to be very common, I am giving him Jazz's antacid (Settlex) and Omeprazole. Typically, this will produce a result tomorrow if his problem is stomach acid. This fits with right rein problems, as Lucy pointed out. It also fits with fine boned imported warmbloods (I've seen two of his build and colour with them in the last 6 months), and with horses who have had a stressful time, and there can be little that is more stressful for a gentle horse than to move into Jazz's home! The reason why the girth gave him problems on both reins is that it is non-elasticated and the back strap sits right over where it will press on the stomach area no matter which rein you are on. With a standard girth, only bending inwards with my own leg in the same place will cause this area any issues.

There is an element of napping towards the stables and the other horses in his behaviour, but I am certain that this is not the main reason for the half-rears he is doing when asked to turn right. It does not feel right to battle this one through, so I am not. I am hoping to see a change in him tomorrow. If not, Sherlock will have to investigate further!

I must get you some pictures of Jazz. A friend on mine who has not seen him for 2 years saw him yesterday and did not recognise him. He's a meaty beastie and no mistake! A ball of solid muscle from his ears to his tail.

We practised our Medium 64 stuff, and his half pass in trot and canter to the left is improving every time. He finds right much easier (I know a lot of that is the way I sit), but the left is coming along. At one point I was just warming up the half pass canter, and went up the centre line and half passed left to the corner where he spontaneously threw a fantastic flying change and cantered the corner in perfect balance. OK I didn't ask for it, but it was absolutely stunning!!! Flying change from half pass - WOW :-))))))  He also did two changes down each long side, into and out of counter canter, with about five strides between them. He is getting better and better about doing a change on a straight line on command instead of when there is obviously a change of direction approaching. This is a prerequisite for tempis, which I am now certain that he will have within another year or so. For me that is a lifetime goal and I am completely thrilled by him this spring.

C