Canter issues

FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

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When I hack my mare out she tends to get quite strong when she wants to canter. Even once I've asked for canter she tends to tank off before settling into a nice collected canter. This is fine when there's a long track but if there's just a short canter it can lead to an absolute nightmare. I think I have fixed this now by almost leaning back when asking for canter and putting more weight into my seat however she still puts her head down when she starts cantering which can unbalance me slightly and I am wondering what I can do to stop this???
 
She's currently ridden on the bottom ring of a three ring snaffle. I don't have much knowledge on what different bits do which is why I haven't tried changing the bit yet.
 
I would get her back into a school environment and practise your canter transitions over and over again, she will lean against your hand so don't pull back in preparation for her leaning, this will only make her resist you more. Stay soft with your hands and try and keep the bit slightly mobile in her mouth so she cannot lock down on you in the transition.
 
I may be wrong, but it sounds like she is using her neck weight to get going, and you by holding the reins tighter are giving her leverage on the bit to push off faster (off the bit). Try taking her somewhere where she can see a long way to canter (so she'll want to take you for a ride), kick her on holding the reins softer (eventually when she realises there is no pressure she will stop fighting you for her head), when she tears off stop her and make her walk back to where you started and do it again. Keep doing it until she gets the idea that you will let her canter, but only when you stay in control. Hold the reins a little firmer once she stops pulling on them, so you can lightly feel her mouth.

It might take time, and it sounds a little repetative, but this is how horses learn and it's worked for me with run away mares in the past. I think, if she's a good doer, she just wants to please you and she thinks taking you for the ride of your life is what you want.

Just a thought anyway, keep us posted and good luck.
 
If she manages to lean on the bit you leaning back may encourage her to lean more as you are giving her something to lean against. You could try releasing and then regaining pressure (not very well explained so I hope you know what I mean!) as soon as she starts pulling
 
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