Canter right button seems to be broken ... help!

B

Bert&Maud

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 November 2006
Messages
976
Location
Wiltshire
Visit site
My 8yo IDX found canter work on the school quite difficult when I got him as a 5 year old. But after a lot of hard work we'd finally cracked it, and I've done some novice tests this year with marks around 65%+, with a reasonably balanced and forward going canter. So, I persuaded the Riding Club to enter an Open Team for the Area Dressage on the strength of my prowess in a Novice Test(!). Disaster! This week Barney has decided that he can't possibly canter on the right rein, "propping" and generally not going forward, hanging onto my right hand, and finally today at the Area striking off three times on the wrong leg! He NEVER strikes off on the wrong leg! Right canter covers 4 movements in Novice 28, so fluffed all of them! I've been working hard on it all week, transitions, turns, leg yields etc but to no avail. So, first of all, ideas for work which might help this problem? Also, I feel I might like him checked, perhaps by the chiropractor to make sure he hasn't tweaked anything (he's completely sound and walk & trot are fine - also jumped beautifully last weekend), or should I have a lesson with my trainer first to see what she thinks? Money is tight but equally I want to be fair on him. All suggestions gratefully received! Thankies!
 
when my girl Daisy's wrong behind (illium area iirc, on off side in her case) she cannot canter on right lead, either on lunge or under saddle. the moment she's put 'right' by McTimoney Chiropractor, she can canter perfectly every time on the correct lead. this happened on and off all last summer, seems to be stable now, took a few treatments though.
hope that helps.
 
Just a sugestion - you could try lunging him to see if he picks up the correct canter lead without saddle and rider, if he dosnt, then id have him looked at. If hes fine being lunged then maybe have a lesson on him. You said that you'd been working hard all week with him, maybe a day or 2 off will sort him out?
 
My mare is very strong on her right and very weak on her left, to the point where she won't bend left, so when i started with her i had to really work hard on really emphasising the aids for left canter and keeping the bend or else she would go disunited and doing lots on straight lines through the centre of the school and my instructor always told me that if your carrying a schooling whip to hold in the outside hand to encourage him to pick up that outside hind leg first! I would also really recommend you talk to you trainer first though, because with them being animals it is usually down to schooling issues.
But i wish you good luck, but don't worry many of us are in the same boat, so don't let yourself get swamped in the problem.
 
I would get his back checked. It does sound like he is hurting. Another thing that can help is to put trotting poles spread out around your field/school. It takes their mind off the transition and encourages them to pick up the correct lead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top