Can't canter/ won't canter

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samp

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I am having huge issues with my canter when I am schooling in the fact I can not get her to canter. Out hacking and when we jump we can canter although we do tend to lean. However on the lunge and general flatwork I can not get her to canter and if I do we only last a couple of strides. At the mo I am broke so can not afford lessons/ send her away.

I have tried everything however I do tend to have issues with her falling out thorugh the shoulder and keeping her straight which may not be helping. I am trying to get her to flex in both directions, leg yield etc to get her to use her bottom more. I find after a while she tends to run on to the bridle in trot and then loose it. Please help. I have a new bit on the way as she is very gobby.
 
Donkey is not keen on canter, well Donkey is not keen on walk or trot either - standing staring into space is her favorite speed - and however controversial a big lunge whip up her bum normally gets a few circuits out of her!!
 
Is there a back problem? You are asking this horse to work in a more contained area with a lot more bend and that might be causing a problem.
Can you find a corner of a field when you are hacking and work in that for 5 minutes to establish your canter on a bigger circle..the lack of space in a school can also be a confidence issue for the horse
 
This is something that could be a problem. She had her back checked 6 months ago and the physio thought she was great, I could go down this route. I can not canter in a field at the mo as we are rather water logged near me. If she is loose schooled she can canter ok?
 
My boy started refussing to canter in the school and it was his saddle. Get it checked, could be pinching him on the corners, but out hacking you usually canter in a pretty straight line.
 
Odd, Has this always been the case or is this a recent discovery? Give us a bit more background and we might be able to come up with some ideas.

Interests me because my boy does that when he has an epsm blip and this was one of the major symptoms that help lead to his diagnosis. For 5 years previosly he had been a saint in the school then bam!

Let us know a bit more,

Sqip
 
Well I puchased her 18 months ago from a showjumper. So her canter was very established with changes etc. However as she is a long horse I used to canter her fine, changes etc. Then she reared and went straight over in the summer - she had physio and said she was fine. However in recent months she has become more and more difficult to canter in the school. Maybe there is some pain response or the fact when she went over was when she was cantering? Maybe I have just answered my own question?

She had been going well all summer placed in dressage etc. Now she only won't canter in the school. She did loose a lot of confidence after this episode and now has just regained her trust
 
Hold held down in shame - yes she went over in it. I school her in her dressage saddle and I jump her and do canter work on hacks in another. God I never even thought of it? Bad mum
 
Well that is the benefit of a forum..none of us know everything!

That is the obvious starting point and hopefully it may solve your problems
smile.gif
 
Certainly go with trying to ride her in the school in her other saddle.
If that doesn't work then might be worth seeing if there are any other causes. Like I said, that was one of my boys major epsm symptoms.

Good luck,

Sqip
 
I will try the other saddle tonight? Fingers crossed its that and mum is being thick and didn't even realise until you guys helped me?
 
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