Canter Problems

[!CobsCan!]

I have an 8 year old cob mare. She is quite green having only been hacked in her previous home. She has been an absolute superstar but the most recent roadblock we've hit is her canter. She has a lovely canter but has no idea about canter aids. We had a private lesson where I was told to chase her into canter. This ended with a rushed trot, bucks and unhappy cob and rider. What other ways are there to teach a horse to canter? We unfortunately dont have access to an arena and given the state of the world at the moment I dont know when we will be able to get to one. Shes quite a sensitive girl and I dont want to bully her in any way. Thanks in advance!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Will she hack? Pick a nice track with good footing and try a few transitions using your canter aids x

 

[planete]

Can you access the Cobs Can Facebook page? Omar Rabia is actually writing about the problems cob owners can encounter when trying to canter in a school and giving very helpful guidelines on how to get there. He is also putting it on his personal FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1341953935872844/user/1440030924

 

[sarahann1]

Cobs often find canter difficult as they’re not particularly built uphill. I spent months with mine rushing messily into her canter, it came with time and lots and lots and lots of pole work to help build up the muscles she needed to help her lift up into the canter.

There is no quick fix, find an instructor who understands cobs.

 

[shortstuff99]

A good tip for horses that like to rush into a canter: in trot ride 2 half halts then ask for a walk transition repeat a few times. When you next perform the 2 half halts and you feel the horse sit back to go to walk, ask for canter. This really helps the transition as the horse has taken the weight onto the hindlegs and lifted the forehand making the transition easier.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Put her on the lunge and try to marry a voice command, or a click with being asked to go up into canter. She should find it easier without a rider. Not the easiest start on a circle but just try to make it as big as possible and don't worry about maintaining the canter, you are just trying to put the voice command to it. Then when you're riding, use the voice command and the physical aid and she should start to understand and you can then withdraw the voice command over time.
If this doesn't work for her, then I would echo what has been said above and try to do it on a hack in a straight line.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would do more out hacking in straight lines and with a buddy to follow she can build her strength in canter and you can practice your aids.

I would also do lunging but unless you are not in the UK I can't imagine anyone's fields up to taking canter on the lunge for a few months !!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I would also do lunging but unless you are not in the UK I can't imagine anyone's fields up to taking canter on the lunge for a few months !!

Ahh, will admit that I didn't see this part of the OP - will teach me for speed reading!

 

[!CobsCan!]

Thank you so much everyone! I wasnt expecting this many replies. I have the Cobs Can book so I'll definitely have a look in there. I'm in the west of ireland and the fields here are like bogs at the moment? She is very responsive to voice commands but I hadn't even thought of using them for canter! I think my plan for the time being is to strengthen her up a bit then pop her on the lunge and give it a shot that way. Thank you again to everyone.