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Discussion on Exercises for canter
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 5:26 pm:
My mare doesn't like to take the right lead. She has seen a chiropractor, her feet, teeth and tack are fine.
She has had some time off so I think the issue is lack of suppleness, perhaps strength, rider error and a bit of don't want to.
So I think if I can supple her on that side it should make it easier for her to comply.
Sound thinking?
I am doing caveletti with her using Ingrid Klimkes method, some trail riding with hills, and we are schooling basic dressage.
Any particular exercises I could add?
thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 - 8:39 am:
When we have problems with a horse taking the correct lead we begin the canter in a very small circle which promotes the correct lead to maintain balance. Once established we begin to spiral out. If the lead switches we circle back in forcing a lead change.
DrO
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 - 10:21 am:
Does she not take the lead when asked, or when at liberty or on the lounge as well as when asked?
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 - 8:37 pm:
A circle helps, as can a few steps of leg yield off the leg that will be the inside leg in the canter (for example, leg yield to the right off the left leg; then ask for a left lead canter). The leg yield helps set up the rider correctly, as well as the horse.
Sara-- when my horses are laying on the lounge, they will not canter at all-- just eat treats and fool with the remote....
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 - 9:11 pm:
Elizabeth, you definitely don't want to bring your horses to share my arena then! Lonnie is building a "lounge" area in one end!! You'd never get any work out of them.
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 6:56 am:
I took a horse (not mine) with this problem to a training clinic this spring where various good BHS instructors recommended
- rider look to the outside to help take weight off the inside strike-off shoulder
- small circle in corner of the arena
- change rein diagonally in trot just before going into the corner to ask for canter
- pole on the ground coming out of the corner to encourage the leap/strike-off into canter
G'luck
Imogen
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 11:21 am:
Sara, truly I think the lounge is what is on her mind.
When she is on a lunge line she is pretty consistent with taking the correct lead.
This could mean the problem is mostly rider error.
She is a big strong girl but still I was thinking, since I know she is not supple one way that taking one lead may be problematic for her.
Still not real clear in my mind, if she is heavy on hte left rein this means she is stiff on the right side??
It is the right lead that is giving us trouble.
All good suggestions will give all a try.
Thank you.
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Member:
sryder11
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 11:59 am:
if she is heavy (leaning) on the left side it suggests she is not engaging the right (outside) shoulder to carry weight. As Imogen says sometimes the rider is impeding this but most horses have a favorite side and a lazy size. Exercises to supple her, such as changing bend at the walk and trot, changing diagonals at the trot, ground poles, cavaletti and shoulder-in could help. Also it is her left hind which has to bear the initial weight in picking up the RL canter so be sure to rule out hock, joint soreness behind and exercises to strengthen her hind end such as trotting up hills might be useful too.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 12:43 pm:
Could be rider is not in balance and weighting the right stirrup too much. Most people are right handed so left side is weaker. How balanced are you both at posting trot in this direction?
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 11:21 pm:
She does seem to trot pretty evenly so I don't think she is sore. Will keep doing the transitions and such.
Good question Linda, I will check that out tomorrow.
thanks all
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