Canter lead problem young pony

[Time for Tea]

I have 2 five year old New Forest ponies. Both were backed a year ago, and work has progressed slowly, there is no hurry. One picked up cantering on the correct lead immediately. He always seems to know what you want and always seems to know exactly where his feet and legs are and what to do with them. He’s not so good at picking up lateral work but it’s coming.
The other one adapted amazingly to lateral work, in hand or under saddle. Just baby stuff. But he cannot seem to pick the correct canter lead. He just hasn’t cottoned on. He is quite forward, and gives canter willingly, but it’s just any old leg. He doesn’t quite seem to know what his legs are doing. It’s the left lead he struggles with in the school. He canters nicely on either lead once they are started correctly, and he will give left lead out hacking without a problem. We tried a pole in the corner of the school, but he just knows he has got to canter over it and does a sort of huge leaping stride. Often ending up on the wrong leg anyway!
I have lunged him with an EquiAmi, just fitted lightly, and he canters on both reins with the wrong leg with that on!
I don’t quite know what to try now. Perhaps he will just eventually cotton on?
I should add he is barefoot, he’s moving well, overtracking, swinging his back, he has massage/physio now and again, nice old Black Country saddle with plenty of room, due to be checked but I don’t think there’s a problem, and he seems comfy in his mouth. Again he’s due for a teeth check, booked in soon.
I think he is shaping up to be a very nice pony, I’m just not quite sure how to progress with this canter thing.
Any ideas welcome, and sorry for the waffle!

 

[maya2008]

My NF mare was like this. I think she thought it was none of my business to be honest and just ignored me. I cracked it by taking her out hacking where there was space, doing a 10m circle with her on the bit and working correctly, then holding her in the frame while asking for canter. If we got the wrong lead, round again. The second we got the correct one, off we went for a fun canter up the nice track ahead. There was some arguing, and throwing out of shoulders, and general huffing, but she agreed to do what I asked in the end! She needed an incentive, a good one, or she just wasn’t interested. We had no joy in the school because she’s always been balanced enough to use any lead and still make it round the corners!

 

[Time for Tea]

Thank you Maya, that sounds a very good idea with the incentive of the fun canter and release from the circle. We will try that.
NF’s are opinionated aren’t they? I think he is more confused than anything though. “I am cantering, what are you on about?” I don’t think he has separated his legs out in his brain. He just does it automatically, which ever one comes to the fore first!

 

[Sossigpoker]

For me this would be a vet visit
If the horse seems to understand what's asked but in the arena doesn't respond correctly ,.I'd be surprised if this wasn't a pain issue.
Mine had hock and SI issues. No problems with canter now that he's been medicated

 

[Time for Tea]

Thank you for your reply. I will certainly bear it in mind, and get him checked out properly if he doesn’t improve in the next fortnight. He seems to be moving well though, and his canter has improved hugely, once we get him on the correct leg. But yes there could be a weakness behind.

 

[musk]

We had a horse that was really difficult to get to canter on a particular lead and tried all the usual tricks but the thing that made the horse get it right every time was the timing of the canter ask. You obviously need them to be super responsive and listening so they transition as soon as asked and I am totally stating the obvious here but ignoring where in the arena you are asking and instead concentrate on asking exactly when the outside hind leg was on the ground worked for us.

 

[SO1]

I agree. Problem with canter can be stifles. According to my vet this is something that youngsters can get and they can grow out of but best just to check it is not something more serious. It is more likely to be seen on a circle in a school hence why out hacking in more straight lines less of an issue.

You are very lucky to have 2 new forests.

For me this would be a vet visit
If the horse seems to understand what's asked but in the arena doesn't respond correctly ,.I'd be surprised if this wasn't a pain issue.
Mine had hock and SI issues. No problems with canter now that he's been medicated

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would also get a vet check, for piece of mind. My young mare will canter correct lead 95% of the time because it’s more comfortable, the fact he doesn’t like one canter would tell me he’s uncomfortable somewhere.

Hopefully not but best to check.

 

[Time for Tea]

Thank you for all your replies, and I have listened to what you have said about vet checks. And straight lines being easier for them. We’ve been through SI issues with our older Forester (seem to have a collection of 3 Foresters now!) so I am aware there can be a problem. Hopefully not. in his case he did grow out of it as he matured and grew stronger. Maybe it is a similar problem with the young one.

Musk, we will pay special attention to our timing and where his hind leg is on the ground. That is a very good tip and I’ve sort of been thinking that myself in a rather vague sort of way so your comment has crystallised my thoughts!

Thanks all

 

[Time for Tea]

Just to add we have the vet coming out in two weeks for vaccinations, so that visit can be expanded to include an examination if necessary