canter problems ahh! ahh!

[traceyell]

hi a bit of advice please on how to get my darling horse ha ha to go on correct canter lead also i am trying to improve his canter on the lunge and all he does is go faster and faster then goes off on incorrect lead i am getting really frustrated as i have been trying to get his canter better for ages

 

[bex1984]

have you tried using a pole in a corner and asking for canter over that?

 

[jumpthemoon]

Do you use any training aids on the lunge, ie side reins? If you do and he still doesn't pick up the right lead I wouldn't bother again until you can get it ridden. It might be worth having his back looked at, as it could be causing discomfort on that rein.

Do you always ask in a corner? What level are you at with him? Does he work in an outline?

 

[kerilli]

if you have an arena to work in, walking a small circle at the end of a long side, then trotting a larger circle in the same place, sending it quite forward but keeping the balance (with your legs not your hands), riding into the first corner on the short side, then pushing out with your inside leg and asking for canter on the corner just before the long side, usually works. if not, calmly go back to trot, and repeat calmly. most horses get the idea very quickly. i agree about getting his back checked, as this can make a huge difference. imho mctimoney chiropractors are the best i've found for horse's backs (and mine!)
as for solving the other canter problems, lessons with a good patient instructor who likes your horse and teaches the way you need to be taught.