Canter issues

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Kingyping

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Hi All,

My Welsh D 11yo is having real issues in his canter. His walk and trot are really nice but he really struggles to keep going in the canter, he just falls in round the corners constantly and has to go at what feels like 100mph to keep going.
I have been trying to work on this for 6 months but don't feel i'm getting anywhere, although he doesn't bronc me off every time I ask for the canter like he did when I first got him, which I suppose is some progress!

His back, teeth and tack have all been checked so definatly not pain related.

We think he was mainly used for driving in his past, do you think this would be a cotributing factor?

Any ideas on what the issue could be and any suggestions how I can fix this?

Thanks very much
 
I have zero experience with driving, so don't want to say it's related or it's not because I have no idea, sorry!

His canter sounds like he is unbalanced, and loses his rhythm when being asked to bend round the corners.

I would work on 15/20m circles in walk, up to trot, back to walk etc etc. Reason being, to ascertain if his walk/trot transitions and gaits are balanced. Then begin doing this in canter. Up to canter, back to trot, keep it varied. But make sure you are always half-halting to prepare him. Once this (if it does help) starts to feel smoother, and like he is not motorbiking everywhere, move this up to a small figure of 8. Use the corner and turns to collect him, and start asking for your transitions. Ask for a few halts at times too, keep it as varied as possible.
 
Funny that, over the summer I rode a Welsh C who was used for driving...we were re-breaking him for riding and he used to do the exact same thing. To begin with he used to put in a few bucks when cantering in the school (he could only canter down the long sides). Once he got fitter and I did a lot of cantering out on hacks (also schooling in open fields etc)...he progressed to kind of being able to canter around the school, but he would try to motorbike about at 100mph and would fall in around the corners.

How is he cantering out on hacks?

Agree with nikkimariet, he sounds unbalanced and to keep his work varied in school...transitions, figure of eights, serpentines etc.

Sorry I can't help you much, the owner in the end took her horse off training livery after a few months as he turned out to be such a lovey happy hacker :) I would have thought that a lot more work and he would have been a lot better....just thought I would let you know that I have ridden a driving pony that does the same thing!
 
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Thanks both, we are trying to keep varying his schooling using circles and poles etc.
I'm just starting to worry he just won't get better. He's wonderful every other way! I'd like to to start taking him to shows but need to get this sorted first.

He can canter at quite a nice pace in a straight line out on hacks. :)
 
balance is definitely the key. Driving ponies are taught to trot fast rather than canter (I believe, I don't drive, I've just ridden a few ex-drivers) and I've ridden a few who were similar. My youngster also had trouble with corners in his early cantering days. The main thing is to concentrate on quality of the canter - getting a few good, steady strides on the straight then bringing back to trot is worth a lot more than motorbiking round and round. nikkimariet's advice is very good, in my opinion - make sure he's balanced in walk and trot, then introduce small bursts of canter, followed by balanced transitions back to trot, introduce a few strides on a large circle and build up to actually cornering nicely... Not a bad idea to get someone to watch and make sure you're not doing anything to unbalance him (instructor / video camera?!). There's nothing to stop you going out and doing walk-trot dressage or novice (no canter) showing classes in the interim, just for fun.

Good luck, it will come eventually!
 
Many years ago I took on a 7y.o. driving cob who'd just been backed and who couldn't canter. Same story, at first she just spent her time trying to buck me off, then when the bucking stopped, the running on started. I worked with her for lots of short schooling sessions where we did a lot of circles, serpentines and changes of rein in walk and trot, trying to regain her balance, get her hing legs under her and get her off her forehand, whilst doing lots of canter transitions out on hacks (where she found it much easier) and a lot of lunging with a lot of trot to canter transitions. Eventually we got there, but it was a loooong run!

All the advice so far sounds about spot on from my experience with her :)
 
Good advice already given re transitions etc. Also I know it sounds odd but you need to push him on! He is on his forehand and losing balance because of it. If you keep pushing and gentle squeeze release with the reins it should help to bring his bum under him which will stop him running on his forehand, the will strangely slow him down too

Imagine someone suddenly shoves you hard from behind, you will rush forward until you get your balance then slow or stop, its the same thing with your horse. Out hacking he is more forward so its naturally better
 
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