Canter on tarmac - do you?

I was also taught it was a big no-no buuut I dont see the harm if the horse is barefoot and sensible and the road is suitable. No different to having a canter on hard ground (yes yes I will occasionally canter on hard ground, shoot me now!)

If I take my minis for a walk on the road and were in an annoying spot and need to go faster for cars, they sometimes canter while I run. I know they're only small but putting everything into proportion its no different for them.
 
No as my horse is shod and our roads are big 'proper' roads. Part of me would like to try if unshod or especially in boots as I really like to get off said roads asap, but I don't think it would be safe really.

Nobody else's business. Probably someone spouting information from riding lessons many moons ago! Don't you know everyone who has ever been on a horse has the right to interfere?
 
I have cantered for very short bursts across a junction etc.

But I wouldn't habitually do so on concrete/tarmac.

I walk barefoot when the weather allows. Natural surfaces, even when the ground appears rock solid, has a natural 'give'. Concrete and tarmac do not.
There is a big difference in how it feels.

When I am Queen of the World, I will provide a natural surface track on all roads/pavements for those riders, barefoot walkers and canine bikejorers to enjoy :)
 
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Yes out hunting .
I don't think that trotting and cantering in control are very different TBH.
My horses do a lot of walking on the roads so I do prepare them for it.
 
I actually didn't think anyone cantered on roads deliberately.. What a sheltered life I lead! Lol!! Saying that I don't canter/gallop on real solid ground in the summer either.. Obviously very soft on my horses.
 
Just a clarification, as it seems I've upset a couple of people...

'Fat' was part of the description given by my 14 yr old daughter, along with some colourful comments about how likely it was that the lady currently rode, and what would happen to the poor pony if she sat on it. It's easy to say these things when you're 14 and built like a twig.

I included it, because I think it adds a little to the picture of some bullying, miserable old woman taking time out to have a go at a couple of teenagers out for a nice hack on the first decent weekend in ages, and it was the only description I got.
 
Yep always have as part of my ponies work, uphill lane cantering, we have a lot of uphill lanes and the tarmac is actually far better and flatter than most of my bridle paths, mine are all barefoot though, i do a lot of roadwork and always have to condition and fitten them.
 
Try not to canter on the road when hunting, mainly because I can control spead easier in trot and I'm scared of slipping over!!
 
pennyturner said:
Just a clarification, as it seems I've upset a couple of people...

'Fat' was part of the description given by my 14 yr old daughter, along with some colourful comments about how likely it was that the lady currently rode, and what would happen to the poor pony if she sat on it. It's easy to say these things when you're 14 and built like a twig.

I included it, because I think it adds a little to the picture of some bullying, miserable old woman taking time out to have a go at a couple of teenagers out for a nice hack on the first decent weekend in ages, and it was the only description I got.
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While I agree it was little to do with the woman (although your daughter WAS obviously cantering in traffic, as the woman stopped her car), I too find your repeating your daughters use of the word fat disagreable. I also think that your rational of using it to describe the woman as a bully somewhat odd. Do you consider that to be a bully some one has to be fat, or that fat people are bullies? :confused:
 
I wouldn't but then I've always worried about damaging legs etc.
I've always wondered about the horses on films though as they have shoes on, their legs must be shot to bits!
 
Absolutly not (on purpose!) Although have been on one that bolted on concrete lane and tbh she wasnt actually any worse for wear but Certainly in and around traffic would be a massive no go, ide never let my son ride again if I found he was cantering deliberatly down the road! (hunting not included)
 
Boyo is only allowed to walk on the roads due to lami last year/poor conformation (vets advice) He is fully shod. So with him I only trot on the road if absolutely necessary wrt traffic. Therefore I would never intentionally canter him on the road.

In my teenage years I may have cantered sideways up a 'main' road (rural) unintentionally, and had the odd gallop up a gravelled farm track erm intentionally, umm, more than once :o Never had any lame or footsore ponies though! All barefoot I might add :)
 
YorksG said:
Do you consider that to be a bully some one has to be fat, or that fat people are bullies? :confused:
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Neither, but someone's physical size affects how they come across - and she was a large lady picking on two little girls, so she's a bully.

I also suspect jealousy, and possibly sexual frustration, but this, I will accept is prejudice against people who can't keep their nose out.

;o)
 
Toffee_monster said:
I have the odd canter on the roads with my driving pony !
I'm sure it is well documented that cantering gives less concussion than trottin on roads anyway
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I agree - in fact I would always prefer to canter when out hunting on my old pony to keep up with the extremely fast trot that the larger horses were doing.
 
As a thought, in endurance races (I'm not talking pleasure rides or pleasure ride classes at endurance rides) it is common to see horses cantering on roads. It is thought kinder to joints to do a light springy canter than a fast trot (they also have a lower heart rate in a steady canter than fast trot). Most endurance horses who reach advanced level are athletic, not heavy built large horses, which in itself reduces concussion. Endurance horses also go on to have long careers, the sire of my girl still came 3rd in 100 mile race aged 19, & last years national champion was 21 (horse that is, rider is younger!), both have clocked up thousands of competative miles, let alone all the additional thousands of training miles. No navicular, no concussive injuries, not fallen on roads, both shod (very few serious high level competitors are barefoot, tends to be low/middle distance who do this). It's about conditioning, balance, the way the horse is built.

If there is no traffic (just because dangerous situations can develop faster the faster you are travelling), ponies are in control, can come back instantly, ponies not overweight (which naturally increases joint issues), balanced & used to regular work on hard ground, then it shouldn't cause damage. Indeed a spanking trot up the hill would be worse for them.

Anyone who only rides on good ground should try hacking on the south west moors. Large stones to be trodden on, stoney tracks, & several endurance rides (no race classes but advanced riders still have to make a minimum speed of 10kph overall) held over these ground conditions. Very few horse problems, conditioning, training & ability. Last years national champion was a horse living/training on Dartmoor....the 21 yr old.
 
Why would you be happy to canter while out hunting but not on a regular hack?

I can't quite get my head around this mentality (or am I missing something?) Surely your happy to canter so will do it hunting/hacking or your not happy about it and would therefore only trot out hunting?
 
If you don't understand why you would canter/gallop on roads whilst hunting and not on a hack then you clearly don't hunt. Nothing wrong with that of course, but wrong to imply criticism of those who do.
 
ExmoorHunter said:
If you don't understand why you would canter/gallop on roads whilst hunting and not on a hack then you clearly don't hunt. Nothing wrong with that of course, but wrong to imply criticism of those who do.
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It is a rather bizarre logic to those who don't hunt - why not explain it rather than just deflect the question! It's no more criticism than saying string theory is a bizarre logic if you don't understand it :D
 
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