Bucking in left lead canter transitions

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laura_nash

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What would be the most likely causes to check for a horse that isn't happy performing a left lead canter transition?

I've had my boy 3 years now (including a break while I had a baby) and this winter we are really making progress. He now slim, fitter, forward-going and responsive to the aids. I'm starting to really enjoy schooling him (which was previously a chore), but it has highlighted this issue since its the one thing that hasn't improved. He has always done it, but I have previously assumed it was down to him being unbalanced, unfit, unschooled and fat. Now those reasons are reduced I'm beginning to wonder if there is an underlying issue.

He does it on the lunge and long-lines too (with or without saddle / roller) and also loose schooled though he is slightly better when loose-schooled with no tack at all. He tenses up a lot, pulls faces and sometimes gives a little buck (not a "trying to get you off" one, more "letting you know I'm not happy"). He's a heavy-weight cob with a low-set neck and slightly croup high so does struggle to work well, but he doesn't have a similar problem with right-lead canter transitions. Once in canter he's happier though still slightly more unbalanced on the left than the right.

Saddle and teeth are regularly checked. He has been seen by three bodyworkers, two said he was 100%, one thought his right shoulder was stiff and did some work on that. I think he's difficult for them to assess because he's naturally bendy (kind of loose-jointed) and quite stoic. He doesn't have any obviously sore areas, you can prod his back, belly etc all you like and he'll just ignore you (or suggest a proper scratch).
 
As he does it in all situations it does sound like there is an underlying problem most likely some stiffness, which makes it hard for him to come through properly.
I would get him looked at by your vet, if nothing shows then get a good physio or chiro to see him, bodyworkers will not get deep enough to find or treat longstanding problems.
Are you sitting evenly, it may still happen when lunging if you are contributing to his one sideness , a good instructor may help there are plenty of exercises to encourage him to work more evenly and become straighter.
 
My pony did this after recovering from an injury and it turned out to be muscle tightness in his right stifle and that was sorted out by having three sessions of good equine sports massage.

He also went on a bute trial for two weeks as well.
 
My mare had trouble with canter on her right rein when she had an issue with her poll. We were very lucky that the vet we had at the time also did chiro and acupuncture, so he was able to diagnose and treat, all in one go. She has been fine ever since. One way I check that she is still ok is to get her to take a treat from by her belly, both sides and also from between her front legs. If she can manage all that then I know she is still ok :)
 
with mine it was stifle issues-and that happened before any shortness of stride was detected. I am now a qualified and practising bodyworker and would always recommend a lameness work up.
 
I've just read some of the other responses and was also thinking it would be worth getting the vet out for a lameness work up. I used to have a horse that couldn't always pick up the correct canter lead on the left rein, sometimes he could, sometimes he couldn't.
I had the vet out for a lameness work up and he was diagonsed with OCD in both stifle joints.
I'm not saying your horse has this, but it's worth checking it out :) (checking out what's causing the issue, not checking out if he has ocd!!)
 
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