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Discussion on "I won't canter and you can't make me"
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Member:
Dorjean
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Posted on Monday, Oct 27, 2003 - 3:15 pm:
I had been having trouble cantering my horse - and I was sure it was him - afterall he cantered in the corral with no one on his back but he wouldn't take a canter and instead would give me an extended trot - VERY extended - gradually discovered it was me - not him - I was asking him to canter with my legs but holding him in with my hands because I had been programmed to expect explosive canters. Now all I have to do is use the word "canter", put my hands forward and low and he's off. Will worry about him taking the right lead AFTER I'm sure he AND I are comforable set for the canter. Good luck.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Oct 27, 2003 - 4:29 pm:
What Dorothy said is true. My horse occasonaly bucks when going into a canter.I too was holding the rein to tight expecting a buck. I loosen the rein on the side I wish him to take the lead. EX right lead I let the right rein loose for a second till he goes in the canter. A horse cannot go into a canter if you are holding the rein to tight. Its too hard for him. Now my horse loves to canter. Your horse is telling you something. Most horses love to canter. Either that or your saddle could be pushing on his shoulders. Is your saddle far enough back? Just some thoughts from my own experience. I knew it was me as my horse canters on que every time on the lunge. They teach us alot. He would buck on the lunge if the saddle slipped forward also, or canter with his ears back. Trial and error
Good luck
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Member:
Gageten
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 12, 2004 - 8:29 am:
My horse won't canter either! He is also a lazy, quiet horse, and runs off at a very fast trot cutting the corners dramatically until he unbalances his rider and gets to stop. When the rider gets aggressive and demands the canter, he bucks. If the rider is successful getting the canter, he will not stay the same speed, and he will swap his leads back and forth every 4-5 strides, popping the rider about 3 feet off the saddle. I've had many vet checks done and he is sound and healthy. His saddle is custom made for him and fits great. My shareboarder just quit because she is fed up with him, so now I can't afford training rides; not that the trainer was helping anyways. Any ideas?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 12, 2004 - 9:35 am:
What about those ideas above Molly
DrO
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Member:
Redmare
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 12, 2004 - 12:45 pm:
Molly-
That's great that you had a vet check and saddle fit check. However, these are not foolproof. Horses change shape from season to season, so the saddle that fit during the summer might not fit now during the winter.
I second the ideas in the earlier posts: some horses are not built for cantering so it's quite difficult, the rider may be getting the horse in the mouth with the bridle, the saddle may fit but be in the wrong place on the back.
I'd get the canter consistent on the ground, with no tack, before considering riding. Adding each piece at a time (bridle, saddle, rider) can help you see where the problem is.
You say that your shareboarder is "fed up" with your horse and you can't afford training. You might consider looking for a student rider who will not charge -- there are may ads for such individuals in my area. Of course you'd want to screen carefully and tell him/her about the problems you have. Who knows, another person with a different approach might help you solve the problem.
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 12, 2004 - 8:42 pm:
Molly,
I think I have more questions than answers at this point.
How old is this horse? And how long ago was he started? I'm guessing he is young.
How does he canter when in the pasture?
What is his preferred gait in the pasture?
What other problems is your horse having? You said that someone was frustrated with him, so I'm guessing there is more.
It sounds like you're not a bold rider so I'd suggest doing as much work from the ground as you can. I'd work him in a round pen saddled and with a snaffle with no reins attached. Teach him to move off at each gait and to maintain a constant speed.
Once he is working good at a canter without a rider you could add sand bags to the saddle . He will learn to balance that weight without the tension of a nervous rider.
Unfortunately I've just scratched the surface here, I would end up writing a book covering everything I want to.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
jones
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 6, 2011 - 10:25 pm:
This is an old conversation but I thought I'd add my experience with my 10 year old gelding.
In hind site, my horse's refusal to canter was the first sign of him having navicular/caudal heel pain synDrOme. He had always been so willing to canter in the past and not cantering was a change for him. First he would canter 10 strides or so then stop on his own or put his head down when asked to canter, right lead was worse than left. I had never experienced him being resistant to any thing I asked for. He did not test positive for any flexion test or hoof testers, he landed heel first to flat at a walk and trot...no head bob, although he did seem a little short in his stride)
so my test to rule out pain verses attitude was a 3 day trial of Equiox and then we rode. After the 3 days of Equiox he cantered beautifully and without stopping.
Putting him on pain/anti-inflamatory meds and getting a very different response from him was all I needed to know it was not an attitude problem. I recommend trying pain meds to see if your horse becomes more willing or balanced...its a cheap test($30 bucks for the Equiox or even cheaper if you use Bute and seems more conclusive than hoof testers or flexion tests)
Now my gelding is on Equiox (or dog equivalent)and is doing quite well, he also has natural balance shoes with pads and dental impression material. He had been barefoot and the shoes/pads seemed to really help as well.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 6, 2011 - 11:30 pm:
Good point, jones. Imo if a horse misbehaves, refuses a lead or gait, etc. look first for a pain issue, unless the horse is very green. If it's not a pain issue, then it's often a rider issue. If a horse understands what you are asking of him, he will usually try to do it unless it brings discomfort to him. At least that's been my experience in more years of horse ownership than I'd care to own up to.
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