Advice please

[diamondsapphire]

I have a 6 year old sports horse who I am just starting to experience problems with on the right rein canter.
She can go so long then falls disunited behind and we have to come back to trot before cantering again. This is starting to happen more regularly when first starting canter work - and it becomes less of a problem once she is very well warmed up - however the problem is still there.
There is no issue on the left rein - she will canter round all day long without any changing, bunny hopping, disuniting etc etc.
She is sound in walk and trot, looks symmetrical from behind and above.
I have had her back done 3 weeks ago just as I started to notice it thinking it may help but it doesn't seem to have. I have had her saddle checked this morning and it still fits perfect (it was hand made for her just under 2 years ago).
She is also heavy on the forehand on the right rein - but not on the left. It doesn't matter whether I am on a straight line or on a corner and this also happens on the lunge.
On the lunge she bunny hops behind, disunites and sometimes brings both legs to the floor together but then sorts herself out again without coming back to trot - again only on the right rein!
She is due for her teeth doing routinely next month but has had these done 6 monthly since born so I can't see if being anything major in her mouth.

The only thing that has changed in the last few weeks that I have noticed her doing it is that we are now upping the workload - having more lessons and doing more jumping - could it just be that one side muscles are not building up to be strong as quick as the other side and I just need to ride her through it?

Any advice welcome!!

[bow1607]

I would get a physio down to have a look, sounds like a muscular problem...........if nothing from that I would then advise your vet.
Been through similar with a chestnut I had, good luck x

[lulah]

if all the nessacery checks have been carried out by trusted professionals then yeah it sounds that she just may be a bit one sided.

i would work more on the "bad" side. lots of transitions. introduce lateral work to supple her up more if you havent already done so (this will also lighten up her forehand). when cantering bring her back to trot as soon as she disunites and ask again when a nice balanced trot as been regained. of course in the early days be prepared to bring her back lots !!! also a few good steps of canter is better than doing a whole lap of bad. remember to really praise her when she gets it right.
if it is one side , its going to take a while to put right but aslong as you do build up slowly then you should make good progress.


canter poles may also help ?

[diamondsapphire]

Thanks both of you. I hacked her out yesterday and tried right canter lead but just in a straight line and got off her back a little and she sustained it until I ran out of field! I'll try the exercise and give it a couple more weeks and if no improvement will try physio again.
Thanks x

[aimeebob]

i know my case is a total one off, but i have had the same problem as you, skipping behind on the right rein but totaly sound in all other paces, unfortunatly she has had a small fractures/ piece of bone flosting around in her fetlock joint, she has had key hole surgery to remove this and is now fine (first day of turnout today wohoo). We did also think that it could be a muscle development problem so try to work threw this but she never came right just be aware that should your horse not get better please contact your vet.
i wish you all the luck as i know how frustrating this problem is having tryed for many months of schooling to sort it.