Canter problems - Advice really appreciated.

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

I wonder if any of you could give me any advice ref Sidneys canter.
He doesn't work in a particularly tidy canter at the best of times but we are trying to improve his general outline (his trot wasn't the neatest either but thats much better now).
Sometimes after maybe 4 circuits of the menage he tends to start dropping his head,almost pulling forward from the neck and has a tendancy to almost fall over his own feet - its really hard to describe without seeing it. He also drifts off the track on corners.
He's not at his fittest at the moment so is he tired and therefore gets clumsier? Or is he balancing himself off the bit?
His back has been checked and he's ok in that respect.
We've not got the best history on him but he appears to have been used as something of a jumping machine so not sure how much flat work schooling he's done - could this be the source of the problem?

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds as if he is dropping on to his forehand??

The drifting is down to you and your legs I would have thought.

But as for the canter - lots of half halts and canter spirals. That should help get his hind inside leg under him and off his forehand.

 

[juliebrewer]

Do 20metre circles of canter, probabley tired and loosing balance and going on forehand, keep practicing. they do eventually get the hang of it and become balanced and use themselfes properly..

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Thanks AmyMay.
Its not me riding him at the moment but know he does it with me also. I was watching him at the weekend and its really apparent.
Would there be a reason why he only does this after a whle? Lack of fittest / muscle tone or bad habits?

 

[fairhill]

Rather than keeping going round the edge of the menage, and him getting falling more and more onto his forehand, come back to trot, re-establish and ask again.
Do lots of shorter periods of canter, so that the quality is better, and build it up from there. The transitions will keep his weight further back as well.

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Thanks guys. Will get H to work on some shorter periods and lots of transitions and circles / spirals.
Can't wait til I can ride him again - I'm turning into a total "backsteat driver"!

 

[AmyMay]

Definately lack of fitness can have a lot to do with it.

 

[mickey]

I'd say transitions to trot with just a short amount of canter. Transitions and half halts to rebalance onto his back end. And perhaps more inside leg.

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Now the nights are lighter we're getting to evening ride again so the big beast will be getting some serious work on his fitness.
Thanks for all your replies so far.

 

[summertoots]

My boy has dodgy canter. We have a dressage trainer comes and schools a clients horse for her every week and I was in the School at the same time as him last week. He said to me to improve the canter work in trot doing transitions within the pace and changes of bend getting him to work properly and balanced, keep the canter work short with no tight turns, nothing smaller than 20m circles. its all about getting him to work from behind and then it will be the transition to canter that is important as you need to help him maintain his balance and not run onto the forhand. All transitions should come through from behind rather than fall forwards on to them, if that makes sence??