canter problems

shamrock84 · 05-05-2008, 04:32 AM

My horse is really good and supple at the trot but canter is a disaster. He fall on his forehand, throws his head up, trots fast and falls into a canter that is quite fast. That is on his good side. He will not canter on the other lead. Any ideas as to what exercises I could do ? I ride english, was thinking about dressage ( not a chance with his canter problems). He used to be a trail horse. He also has mouth/ teeth/ noseband issues. I had the vet float his teeth and he found nothing wrong with the horse. Had the chiropractor on him too. I have been with him for 2 months, but no progress at the canter. The rest in going great.

Carri · 05-05-2008, 06:19 AM

How old is he? It seems like as a trail horse, he was probably not asked to canter much, if ever at all, so he is probably not used to balancing the weight of a rider while cantering. I would start with cantering on the lunge, and help him get his balance without a rider to start with.

Kendra · 05-05-2008, 08:19 AM

What breed is he and how old?

DanielleS · 05-05-2008, 08:56 AM

Sounds like he needs more work. I know that OTTBs have a hard time learning to stretch out at the trot because they've never been asked to do it before. It just takes time and lots and lots of practice. Maybe you should lunge him at the canter to get him where his muscles get built up a bit more and then work on it under saddle.

Mav2007 · 05-05-2008, 09:57 AM

I have/had a similar problem with my 6 year old horse. He had the greatest trot, but the canter was a disaster. It was like he didn't know how, so he'd bounce around and break the gait. I just kept making him try each time I worked with him last summer/fall and now this summer when I took him out for the first time, his canter looked dramatically improved. Maybe your horse just needs practice and time.

EquineAlberta · 05-05-2008, 10:04 AM

Sometimes when you run a horse from a trot into a canter, the horse gets worried about the canter. The fast trot throws the horse on the forehand with a hollow back, and the back end has to catch up and so the horse is out of rythm and uncomfortable. The horse will learn to be worried about and to fear cantering with a rider.

In some cases I find lunging and then riding the horse over a small verticle is a good way to get the horse to canter in balance with a rider as the horse will be picking up the canter "naturally" over the jump and with a round back. The round back will make cantering with the weight of a rider more comfortable for the horse.

You could also try following another horse into a canter.

Another option is to teach the horse to canter from the ground with voice commands and see if that carries forward to ridden work.

Possibly try a dressage whip to tap the horse into the canter from a normal trot or walk, but if he decides to speed up the trot bring him back and try again. I would not run a horse with this type of an issue into a canter as it will just reinforce the issue.

Karen

shamrock84 · 05-05-2008, 10:53 AM

Thanks ! I had thought about the longe. He really , as you said, seems scared to canter. Every time, he goes into canter I pet him and he relaxes. I want him to know it's ok. He ia a solid paint and just turned 7. I will work him in the round pen and be......patient! He is a such a loving horse! He tries soooo hard to please me! You should see his shoulder in! All I have to do is position my body! He is very straight and I cannot find fault with him! Waiting for him is what I will do.......

dreaminwithdream · 05-09-2008, 05:06 PM

Oh, how familiar this sounds! I have a 7 yo paint, and we are just starting to canter. It has been the worst gait to attain with him. He too will just trot faster, hollow out his back and up his head to the moon. Having had the chiro and equine massage therapist helped tremendously. We are not working on leads right now because just this week we've gotten him to canter on cue. We did some hill therapy with him to help strengthen his back (play the circle game online on a slight incline as this encourages him to push from behind as opposed to pull from upfront) plus we used the buddy method with our daughter's horse. When we were trying to get the canter and he would just speed up (yep, scared of the next gear) I did have to bring him down to a collected trot, let the daughter pass by again, hold until I asked for the canter again and let him go. I found the best thing I could do with him is not micromanage him when he did canter. I used the least amount of rein directing and really allowed him to get used to cantering under a rider. Nope, it aint purdy! But, patience and time and consisitency have been the best tools. Now he's figuring out what it means when that outside leg slides back and has actually started OFFERING the canter.

You're on the right track and when he realizes the game, he'll pick it up quickly! Good luck and keep us posted!

barnmom · 05-09-2008, 05:30 PM

With Gracie, Nicole made sure she had it down on the lunge first so she would canter with just one kiss, so when she asked for it undersaddle she went right into it, she was a little nervous at first but she got her comfortable in half the arena and gradually made it bigger until she did the whole indoor. She would fall apart sometimes but with one kiss she'd go again.

lbequ4002 · 05-09-2008, 06:58 PM

Along with the other suggestions you might try taking him out in an open area and cantering him or in a very very large arena. A lot of horses especially green ones won't canter near the rail at first. If he wants to lean on the reins a little for balance let him and encourage him to keep going forward. Just spending more time cantering will help him build confidence and balance and you can worry about putting him togeter later. I sometimes count the rythmn out loud to my greenies. I don't know if it helps them get a rythmn or me.

GreyDot · 05-09-2008, 07:15 PM

I would check for back pain and saddle fit, as well as your own seat's balance, first. Then, it would be a good idea to teach him to pick up the canter from a voice cue. Once he does this well on a lunge line, ask him to canter from a walk, using a voice cue. Canter for a few strides, and then walk. At all times, sit very lightly and quietly, so that you don't accidentally thump on his back. If he is a former trail horse, he might just be used to ignoring the rider, and may also be very unbalanced. You'll have to help him balance, and keep him upright by using your lower back and seat.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Counter Canter...	NoniMe	Training	36	01-15-2008 05:02 PM
Rushing the canter	bazie	Training	19	11-07-2007 08:33 AM
doesn't canter	donna	General Horse Advice	10	03-15-2007 01:32 AM
To canter or not to Canter!	Paints4life	Training	3	09-05-2005 12:16 PM

05-05-2008, 04:32 AM
shamrock84 Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 314	canter problems My horse is really good and supple at the trot but canter is a disaster. He fall on his forehand, throws his head up, trots fast and falls into a canter that is quite fast. That is on his good side. He will not canter on the other lead. Any ideas as to what exercises I could do ? I ride english, was thinking about dressage ( not a chance with his canter problems). He used to be a trail horse. He also has mouth/ teeth/ noseband issues. I had the vet float his teeth and he found nothing wrong with the horse. Had the chiropractor on him too. I have been with him for 2 months, but no progress at the canter. The rest in going great.

05-05-2008, 06:19 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,866	How old is he? It seems like as a trail horse, he was probably not asked to canter much, if ever at all, so he is probably not used to balancing the weight of a rider while cantering. I would start with cantering on the lunge, and help him get his balance without a rider to start with.

05-05-2008, 08:19 AM
Kendra Started Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,211	What breed is he and how old?

05-05-2008, 08:56 AM
DanielleS Coming two Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Middletown, MD Posts: 1,609	Sounds like he needs more work. I know that OTTBs have a hard time learning to stretch out at the trot because they've never been asked to do it before. It just takes time and lots and lots of practice. Maybe you should lunge him at the canter to get him where his muscles get built up a bit more and then work on it under saddle. __________________ My horse can inspire tears and cure them with just a look or nuzzle. http://www.freewebs.com/daniellespare/

05-05-2008, 09:57 AM
Mav2007 Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,877	I have/had a similar problem with my 6 year old horse. He had the greatest trot, but the canter was a disaster. It was like he didn't know how, so he'd bounce around and break the gait. I just kept making him try each time I worked with him last summer/fall and now this summer when I took him out for the first time, his canter looked dramatically improved. Maybe your horse just needs practice and time. __________________

05-05-2008, 10:04 AM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,417	Sometimes when you run a horse from a trot into a canter, the horse gets worried about the canter. The fast trot throws the horse on the forehand with a hollow back, and the back end has to catch up and so the horse is out of rythm and uncomfortable. The horse will learn to be worried about and to fear cantering with a rider. In some cases I find lunging and then riding the horse over a small verticle is a good way to get the horse to canter in balance with a rider as the horse will be picking up the canter "naturally" over the jump and with a round back. The round back will make cantering with the weight of a rider more comfortable for the horse. You could also try following another horse into a canter. Another option is to teach the horse to canter from the ground with voice commands and see if that carries forward to ridden work. Possibly try a dressage whip to tap the horse into the canter from a normal trot or walk, but if he decides to speed up the trot bring him back and try again. I would not run a horse with this type of an issue into a canter as it will just reinforce the issue. Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

05-05-2008, 10:53 AM
shamrock84 Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 314	Thanks ! I had thought about the longe. He really , as you said, seems scared to canter. Every time, he goes into canter I pet him and he relaxes. I want him to know it's ok. He ia a solid paint and just turned 7. I will work him in the round pen and be......patient! He is a such a loving horse! He tries soooo hard to please me! You should see his shoulder in! All I have to do is position my body! He is very straight and I cannot find fault with him! Waiting for him is what I will do.......

05-09-2008, 05:06 PM
dreaminwithdream Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NEPA Posts: 14	Oh, how familiar this sounds! I have a 7 yo paint, and we are just starting to canter. It has been the worst gait to attain with him. He too will just trot faster, hollow out his back and up his head to the moon. Having had the chiro and equine massage therapist helped tremendously. We are not working on leads right now because just this week we've gotten him to canter on cue. We did some hill therapy with him to help strengthen his back (play the circle game online on a slight incline as this encourages him to push from behind as opposed to pull from upfront) plus we used the buddy method with our daughter's horse. When we were trying to get the canter and he would just speed up (yep, scared of the next gear) I did have to bring him down to a collected trot, let the daughter pass by again, hold until I asked for the canter again and let him go. I found the best thing I could do with him is not micromanage him when he did canter. I used the least amount of rein directing and really allowed him to get used to cantering under a rider. Nope, it aint purdy! But, patience and time and consisitency have been the best tools. Now he's figuring out what it means when that outside leg slides back and has actually started OFFERING the canter. You're on the right track and when he realizes the game, he'll pick it up quickly! Good luck and keep us posted!

05-09-2008, 05:30 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,995	With Gracie, Nicole made sure she had it down on the lunge first so she would canter with just one kiss, so when she asked for it undersaddle she went right into it, she was a little nervous at first but she got her comfortable in half the arena and gradually made it bigger until she did the whole indoor. She would fall apart sometimes but with one kiss she'd go again. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

05-09-2008, 06:58 PM
lbequ4002 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central AL Posts: 1,015	Along with the other suggestions you might try taking him out in an open area and cantering him or in a very very large arena. A lot of horses especially green ones won't canter near the rail at first. If he wants to lean on the reins a little for balance let him and encourage him to keep going forward. Just spending more time cantering will help him build confidence and balance and you can worry about putting him togeter later. I sometimes count the rythmn out loud to my greenies. I don't know if it helps them get a rythmn or me.

05-09-2008, 07:15 PM
GreyDot Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 2,433	I would check for back pain and saddle fit, as well as your own seat's balance, first. Then, it would be a good idea to teach him to pick up the canter from a voice cue. Once he does this well on a lunge line, ask him to canter from a walk, using a voice cue. Canter for a few strides, and then walk. At all times, sit very lightly and quietly, so that you don't accidentally thump on his back. If he is a former trail horse, he might just be used to ignoring the rider, and may also be very unbalanced. You'll have to help him balance, and keep him upright by using your lower back and seat. __________________ Dot, March 30, 1983 - August 29, 2009. A kind eye, a brave heart, a gentle soul, a wise spirit. I will always miss you, Sweet Boy.