Canter lead question

NeverSayNever

NeverSayNever

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my Sec D is green in canter in the school and we have been working on it , lots. On the right rein she is a lot more balanced and can now collect a lot more instead of a high speed scrabble with her head in the air. She finds left canter lead very very difficult and if she doesnt get it right first time and I try to correct her she gets very upset as she really loves to please and is a worrier if she thinks she is doing the wrong thing. I try in these instances to not get tense myself and reassure her but its easier said than done. My question is however, the times she does get it right, it feels like she is popping a wee buck going into the canter as she is so extravagant in bringing the inside hind forward, it has never felt like this on the other rein :confused: Im just wondering if this means anything or there is anything more I can do to help her and learn from her feeling like this?
 
I'd work on getting the left hacking and take it from there. My sec D x is very hard to get her to strike off on the right leg so I pop her over a small jump and she lands on the right. There is one place on a hack I can get a right lead strike off as well. (she had been "free schooled" on the left rein almost exclusively before I got her:rolleyes:). It's harder for them in the school obviously.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I'd work on getting the left hacking and take it from there. My sec D x is very hard to get her to strike off on the right leg so I pop her over a small jump and she lands on the right. There is one place on a hack I can get a right lead strike off as well. (she had been "free schooled" on the left rein almost exclusively before I got her:rolleyes:). It's harder for them in the school obviously.
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thanks,its nigh on impossible to get out hacking though, she needs a corner to strike off on and the times we have tried where we can get on stubble field’s it ends up unsafe as its so slippy.

Im really looking to see if anyone can tell me why when she does strike off on the left lead, it feels so different to on the other rein. As I said , it feels like she is popping a buck as she is so extravagant with her inside hind. Im just wondering if this can tell me anything to help...
 
Always had issues wit canter lead on right rein since I got my mare 4mths ago! It was a bloody nightmare - so got teeth done ( just routine ) and turns out she was overteething on top, creating stiffnes on one side of jaw , up through poll and into neck. She wasn't able to move her jaw in figure of eight motion! 3 days after dental work we got 3 out of 3 canters on correct lead!
 
my guess is she bucks because it is easier, ie she is unbalanced on this rein. my lad was doing the same. I worked on getting a mega balanced trot, then feel for the correct time to ask him to canter, as often if the timing is wrong it makes it so much harder for them
 
NeverSayNever said:
thanks,its nigh on impossible to get out hacking though, she needs a corner to strike off on and the times we have tried where we can get on stubble field’s it ends up unsafe as its so slippy.

Im really looking to see if anyone can tell me why when she does strike off on the left lead, it feels so different to on the other rein. As I said , it feels like she is popping a buck as she is so extravagant with her inside hind. Im just wondering if this can tell me anything to help...
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Exactly the same as mine although she doesn't buck. Try a small jump, approach on the lead she likes and she will prob land on the other one.

What is she like if you lunge her?
 
showpony said:
Always had issues wit canter lead on right rein since I got my mare 4mths ago! It was a bloody nightmare - so got teeth done ( just routine ) and turns out she was overteething on top, creating stiffnes on one side of jaw , up through poll and into neck. She wasn't able to move her jaw in figure of eight motion! 3 days after dental work we got 3 out of 3 canters on correct lead!
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wow! glad you got sorted i wish it was that easy sorted for me
 
I had her 3mths before sorted! And we never ever thought it was due to teeth! Progress since dental work has been unbelievable. Hense why I jump on top of posts I see about canter leads.
 
If it were mine Id be doing canter transitions on the lunge until shes striking off on the correct lead consistantly on both reins then gradually make the circle smaller until shes consistant on a smaller circle.

Then add your weight and aids once shes comfortable. Sometimes though it isnt the horse but the rider causing the issues as we might be stiff or unbalanced on one side. I know I am and I over compensate on one rein and I have to remember. Might also be worth getting your weight OUT the saddle when asking as some horses find it easier to get the transition.
 
guys - she doesnt actually buck;) bless her, its just such a jump into canter she makes it was the best way to describe it. Show pony thats fab! :D FW have got some lessons booked with poles so will be interesting to see. Many thanks


nikki - you’e going on user ignore, Im not sure why when we do not speak you are replying to my threads:rolleyes:
 
What is she like in trot on each rein? There maybe something going on with her outside hind on the bad canter rein. If so, then this same rein may well feel better in trot than the other one (as it is the outside hind that originates the canter, but this leg will be the important load bearing one in trot on the other rein).
 
NeverSayNever said:
guys - she doesnt actually buck;) bless her, its just such a jump into canter she makes it was the best way to describe it. Show pony thats fab! :D FW have got some lessons booked with poles so will be interesting to see. Many thanks


nikki - you’e going on user ignore, Im not sure why when we do not speak you are replying to my threads:rolleyes:
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Wow how childish :rolleyes: helps if you tell the person they are on user ignore instead of them generally being nice and trying to help you.

But then again that shows people the type of person you are and not how I am so carry on Nina. ;)
 
Rowreach said:
What is she like in trot on each rein? There maybe something going on with her outside hind on the bad canter rein. If so, then this same rein may well feel better in trot than the other one (as it is the outside hind that originates the canter, but this leg will be the important load bearing one in trot on the other rein).
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yes! that is her better trot rein! Her trot is lovely, very balanced but this is def the better rein
 
NeverSayNever said:
yes! that is her better trot rein! Her trot is lovely, very balanced but this is def the better rein
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Okay then I would look at her working on the lunge in trot and canter and see if she uses that hind differently (ie make sure it is coming through the same as the other one) and then maybe get someone to video you riding in trot and canter and look for the same thing. Also look at her from behind when she is stood still (look for variations in musculature both sides) and when she is walking and trotting away from you. I would assume too that she feels crooked on her bad rein in canter (like she won't let you sit on the inside hindquarters?)
 
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