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  Discussion on Difficult cantering
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New Member:
Pkb540

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 7, 2004 - 10:30 pm:

I have a 4-year old t/bred who seems to really hate cantering. He puts his head down, almost like he will buck (which he has). I have tried to keep him forward and even give him a loose rain, but he just feels more like a rocking horse. He seems to be uncomfortable. Is this avoidance or is it a physical problem? he is pretty athletic otherwise. He trots pretty well and takes tiny fences well. Anyone with similar experience?
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 7, 2004 - 10:50 pm:

Yes... Try taking him out of the arena, if that is where he is being bad. Or vice versa, put him in a new area if he is doing it out in the field.

he is probably bored with the lessons. My mare did this when we used to train. But mysteriously she was cured of all her problems once we livened up things. The minute we would canter on trail, all of a sudden she was a dream horse. TB's i think are notorious for this. Try to change the workout, keep him on his toes.

Make sure you rule out anything physical first. Saddle fits? gained weight? lameness? bit problems? dental? Are you using draw reins?

do you lunge before riding? He might just picked up a really bad habit. Or just getting his feel goods out...
Member:
Christos

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2004 - 6:48 am:

Paula,
It is very possible that he simply does not know how to canter yet.
You will often see young horses cantering or trotting with their head down, this is something between playing and experimenting with their balance.
He will be better and better as he matures and finds his balance on his hindquarters.
What you can do for now is to canter him for very few steps only, 10 of them or so, at a time that he is excited enough to keep his head up anyway, like when being out, as Joj already said.
Work with ground poles and cavaletti in trot will also develop his balance and improve the canter much faster than cantering on and on.
One thing you should not do is to attempt to raise the head by pulling on the reins. That would teach him that he can pull against your hands, which you don't want him to know.

PS: A horse that canters on the forehand does not take fences well. He jumps by pulling with his front feet and speeding up, which is a very bad habit unless you're training for steeplechase. In all other jumping conditions you want him to almost stop in front of a fence, then jump out of pushing with his hind legs.

All the best,
Christos
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2004 - 11:46 am:

Christos, I agree. Had a young Anglo-Hanoverian mare once who literally couldn't balance herself in canter until she was almost 5. (She would consistently lose her hind end whether it be on the lunge or under saddle - not fun for her or me.) I just kept working her in walk and trot like a regular horse and each month I would try cantering her for a few strides to determine her state of balance and strength to hold the gait. It eventually came good and she was completely fine. In fact I trained her up through Level 3 dressage - which turned out to be her personal limit personality-wise - and later sold her as a jumper.

And I've seen some others that have gone through the same balancing/strength issue. They can test your patience some but do come good eventually.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2004 - 12:17 pm:

Paula,

I too have a four year old that did as you described at the trot (I'm sure it would have been worse at the canter but I'm not there yet with him), but he would buck a little sometimes. I went with it at first to see if he would find his balance but it wasn't improving. I switch saddles and saw immediate improvement, he stopped do it. The saddle looked like it fit, but when I looked real close it would rock very slightly front to back putting too much pressure in the middle of his back. It is something to look at even if you have to borrow a saddle once.

Good day,
Alden
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2004 - 1:12 pm:

Paula,

I'm not sure of your experience level, but could it be your own balance that is causing his discomfort? I've ridden horses that didn't like my posture, and they were often difficult to get cantering. I changed my posture and began riding in a more centered manner, and they moved much easier for me. I think some horses, especially younger ones that are learning how to balance a rider themselves, are very sensitive to the riders balance.

Linda
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2004 - 10:42 pm:

Hello Paula,
If you have no problems at the other gaits under saddle and he runs freely in the pastures, this is most likely a training / riding issue.
DrO
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