Walk/Trot Question

april1694 · 01-05-2009, 11:02 AM

What is your opinion on a 9 yo gelding that will walk and trot but takes a lot of effort to get him to lope/canter? Do you think it is a pain related, laziness, training or other issue? Thanks

NancyQH · 01-05-2009, 11:05 AM

It could actually be all of those. Does he canter normally in the pasture with his buddies? It could be laziness but also could be saddle fit. It might pinch him at the canter so you may want to check it over. Once that has been ruled out maybe try some spurs on him that could help him get ome get-up-and-go. Also it could be a training issue and he isnt sure that he is doing everything correctly. Now I am no expert or anthing but its more than likley saddle fit or just plain ole laziness

BklynCwgrl · 01-05-2009, 11:19 AM

Maybe he doesn't understand what you are asking?

Chic · 01-05-2009, 11:26 AM

I have to agree with both answers. How does he act when you get him up to the lope or canter?

breburtch · 01-05-2009, 02:34 PM

how long has this horse been under saddle?

Dallas101 · 01-06-2009, 01:03 PM

I would have to say that, its hard to tell without seeing this horse in action. Does he feel unsound to you? Does he protest in any way? Give a little crow hop..kick out...buck...stall completley? I ask this because all of these reactions might better point to an uncomfort problem. If this is more of an issue of "working really hard to get him to canter" it might just be a lazy and lack of balance thing. Often a horse who is unsure, unbalanced will be either lazy for the sake of not working OR just simply give you a hard time and is simply being stubborn. Its hard to say. Perhaps have another set of experienced eyes watch you and him go and see what their input is. If he in unsound or it leads more in the discomfort direction, Id maybe give your vet a call and talk to them about it. It sounds to me like you might just a bit of a stubborn/lazy problem though!

Happy Riding

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01-05-2009, 11:02 AM
april1694 Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 19	Walk/Trot Question What is your opinion on a 9 yo gelding that will walk and trot but takes a lot of effort to get him to lope/canter? Do you think it is a pain related, laziness, training or other issue? Thanks

01-05-2009, 11:05 AM
NancyQH Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Out In The Barn Posts: 106	It could actually be all of those. Does he canter normally in the pasture with his buddies? It could be laziness but also could be saddle fit. It might pinch him at the canter so you may want to check it over. Once that has been ruled out maybe try some spurs on him that could help him get ome get-up-and-go. Also it could be a training issue and he isnt sure that he is doing everything correctly. Now I am no expert or anthing but its more than likley saddle fit or just plain ole laziness

01-05-2009, 11:19 AM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,783	Maybe he doesn't understand what you are asking? __________________ Robin

01-05-2009, 11:26 AM
Chic Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,656	I have to agree with both answers. How does he act when you get him up to the lope or canter? __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

01-05-2009, 02:34 PM
breburtch Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 3,233	how long has this horse been under saddle?

01-06-2009, 01:03 PM
Dallas101 Newborn Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Posts: 4	I would have to say that, its hard to tell without seeing this horse in action. Does he feel unsound to you? Does he protest in any way? Give a little crow hop..kick out...buck...stall completley? I ask this because all of these reactions might better point to an uncomfort problem. If this is more of an issue of "working really hard to get him to canter" it might just be a lazy and lack of balance thing. Often a horse who is unsure, unbalanced will be either lazy for the sake of not working OR just simply give you a hard time and is simply being stubborn. Its hard to say. Perhaps have another set of experienced eyes watch you and him go and see what their input is. If he in unsound or it leads more in the discomfort direction, Id maybe give your vet a call and talk to them about it. It sounds to me like you might just a bit of a stubborn/lazy problem though! Happy Riding