|
|
Post by reachforthestars on Feb 5, 2013 22:11:51 GMT
What's the best way to get balanced and a steady canter?
I have lessons off an instructor but nothing seems to help it. When in canter he sometimes goes quite strong although he stops as soon as you ask him. I can't be strong back because he just gets worse and starts to fight with me. He does a lot to evaid the contact when asking for canter, trying to run off or tossing his head. He doesn't work in a natural outline in canter but does in walk and trot, I no it will come in time.
Any tips would be great.
Been trying for so long and the pony decides he will do it one day and the next day he can't do it at all!
Thanks! x
|
|
iluvmypony
Full Member
<3 Ashfield Pride ridden by Courtney Monks
Posts: 418
|
Post by iluvmypony on Feb 5, 2013 22:32:40 GMT
my mare sounds exactly the same! ive had her nearly 2 years and had weekly lessons and 3 days a week she is a bugger but then 4 days a star! we have been doing things to keep her occupied so some small circles, going bigger, figures of eight and shallow loops to keep her thinking and then it also stops her thinking about tossing her head etc. also we did a lot of transisitons and lots of lateral work to slow her down..hope this helps, its just about time xx
|
|
|
|
Post by GinaGeo on Feb 5, 2013 22:43:31 GMT
Lots of walk-canter-walk transitions help to improve the quality of the canter and the step up from behind. I'd also try riding transitions within the pace, push the canter forwards then sit the canter up again repeat. Allowing Ollie to take the contact down will help to build the muscle up over his back that he needs and will help you to see if he's holding himself. Don't be surprised if he "drops" you at first and breaks into trot, it's hardwork moving between the frames. Just re-balance and then pick the canter back up again in a more upright frame before allowing to take the contact down again and keep the leg on to help keep him in front to you.
All of the above are currently exercises I'm using to improve my five year old's canter, some days it's bang on, other's when he's a little more tired he finds it difficult but it is getting there.
Your description of the running through the canter transition does concern me; canter is the pace that my older horse can't hide pain. It's the pace any soreness or bad saddle fit shows immediately; he's a stoic boy and hides it in walk and trot but can't in canter. The first symptom being the run and the second the refusal to use his back and soften. I know you've had some issues with Olllie and he's had some time off, perhaps it'll be worth having a saddle fitter back to check the fit since his time off and then maybe a check over from physio to make sure there isn't any soreness left?
|
|
|
|
Post by lulah on Feb 5, 2013 23:15:29 GMT
Make sure he is pain free. Back tack teeth etc. Work on your transitions in walk on trot and transitions within the pace. Figures of 8 are great for doing transitions. Practice Leg yeild, shoulder in and rein back. You need to get him really stepping under with the back legs. This will really help balance him and stop him running through the canter.
Remeber to really steady the trot and to sit up when asking for canter, dont be temptedd to tip forward and throw the reins at him as this will amke him run onto the forehand even more. If he doesnt canter after three rushed strides then bring him back, re balance and ask again. Praise when he gets it right. When hes in the canter offer him the rein so he learns to balancw him self. It will come with time and patience. Good luck
|
|
|
|
Post by reachforthestars on Feb 6, 2013 8:12:11 GMT
Thankyou for all the advice. Will give it a go tonight  Ginageo, he had a new saddle fitted about a month ago. With the new saddle and him feeling better he is going better than before but still not perfect. Dentist due soon |
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Feb 6, 2013 9:09:06 GMT
What breed is he? Welsh Ds often prefer to offer their terrific extended trot and find canter difficult, some lines more than others. I had one like this and she was sorted by doing walk to canter instead of trot, it suited what was going on in her head better which was worrying about the canter! She was a very anxious mare. This was many years ago though, and in retrospect I think she was stiff in the back anyway, knowing what I do now I'd get the physio to check her, they didn't exist then.
|
|
|
|
Post by catkin on Feb 6, 2013 18:34:23 GMT
I was thinking the same thing SarahP. Lots of good advice above. Only other thoughts are that you should keep going with the canter and try to concentrate on this, the weakest pace. I have previously made the error of avoiding canter when a pony is flustered in it (yes, often the big movers at trot) and all I did was make it more and more of an issue.
|
|
|
|
Post by reachforthestars on Feb 6, 2013 22:26:34 GMT
He is tb x welsh however we think he may have some standardbred in him somewhere because many people have said he looks like one a lot.
Sarahp I don't think he is anxious about it, I think it's more 'she's asked me to canter her before so ill do it again before she asks but I have to do it quick'
I think I might be having physio back out for him, to see how he is going now being back in work, and because tonight on the lunge and when riding on one rein he would be cantering and then change his back legs.
He was extremely good tonight. Lovely bouncy steady canter, in an outline, and also some walk to canter transitions that seemed to really help him!!
|
|
