Canter help and advice?

[thumpbug]

I have a just turned 5 ex racer,is very good to ride and when really really focused (And when we jump) has a very nice canter,any other time it seems quite rushed and all over,and her head carraige is not to good,Just wondering of anyone else with this issue and what excersizes you used to get them working down?
Back,teeth,saddle ect all fine,all health is fine

 

[BethNaylor]

I had the same problem with my mare, she isn't an ex-racehorse but she is half thoroughbred. I was reluctant to put a strong bit in her as i do mainly showing after loosing my bottle jumping but i settled for either a waterford snaffle or a rubber pelham. she used to pull me about and the only thing i could ger her head down in was the pelham with the use of the curb chain but this made her unnatural in her head carriage. have you tried bringing your horse back to a walk or halt every time she rushes? i recently started having lessons again for confidence boosters and this is what i was advised to doo. also, try keeping her on a circle (about 10m) so that she will find it hard to rush. it sounds harsh and it will unbalance her but that may be why she's rushing! my horse is very stiff on her left rein due to a car crash injury from before we bought her so found it hard to balance and took to tanking off or ragging me about. i hope that helps maybe x

 

[kirstyl]

Hi, I think you just have to take your time and be patient. I have a 9 yr old ex racer who I have been re training for nearly a year. When I first started cantering him at the end of the summer '10, I cantered off his back for about 6 weeks if not more to build up his back muscles and allow him to learn to carry himself in the arena. I am now riding off his back again in canter as I'm finding it easier to ask for more neck bend and keeping him softer when I'm not sitting on him. Polework is fantastic to get them concentrating and working well. Do you have an instructor who can help and give you different ideas?

 

[thumpbug]

Hi, I think you just have to take your time and be patient. I have a 9 yr old ex racer who I have been re training for nearly a year. When I first started cantering him at the end of the summer '10, I cantered off his back for about 6 weeks if not more to build up his back muscles and allow him to learn to carry himself in the arena. I am now riding off his back again in canter as I'm finding it easier to ask for more neck bend and keeping him softer when I'm not sitting on him. Polework is fantastic to get them concentrating and working well. Do you have an instructor who can help and give you different ideas?

Yeah,shes dead nosey which is our biggest problem,so we work on judt keeping her interested,it does work but need something alot more consistent,shes an amazing horse and jumps like a pro but shes just so nosey its hard to keep her interested and need her flatwork perfect ideally