Canter transitions up ***** creek without a paddle..........help?

[SpanishNeddy]

Have you tried asking him to canter on a lunge - I did this with my horse who consistently got the wrong leg on the left rein and I was shocked to find that he had the right leg every time. I could only put it down to my position so I altered my position and he goes on the right leg! He is also a 6 yr old and wasn't gelded that long ago - he couldn't canter if we tried to 100 times over each day when I first got him but, i do put that down to him not being broken properly. Damage to lumber regions can also cause the horse to find it hard to get the correct canter lead - this can be caused by a saddle that is too long for a horse's back according to my horse physio. You will get there, I know how frustrating it is though

Yes lots since this issue. He is EXACTLY the same on the lunge! usually, he is perfect on the lunge and not as accurate under saddle (rider error). So it is him not the rider. My sharer is also experiencing the same.

 

[SpanishNeddy]

Also just to note that many horses trained in Spain (and other overseas locations) are taught to canter with the INSIDE leg (rider's, that is), not the outside leg back that is prevalent over here.

He has been trained over here with inside leg on with outside leg back. Which he does know.

 

[SpanishNeddy]

If you haven't done it, you could check his back by applying pressure with your hand along his back from front to hindquartes and see if he reacts or if any area raises. The time when he was doing better transitions/more balanced canter, was it after a rest? If so, I think if they are sore somewhere it tends to get better after a rest.
Also, if you can try him in another saddle or have another saddler to check the fit of the one you use that would be a good idea. Reason I say that is my mare kept bunching up and bucking at canter transitions with the saddle Kay Humphries fitted to her, had another saddler out (SMS saddle fitter) and she stopped bucking straight away and had the most balanced canter ever. I think the saddle was sitting too low at the back and that was putting a lot of stress on her loins.

Hmmm I would say no it wasn't after time off in answer to your first question. Before, he was in 'harder' work more often and that is when he was 'going' better I would say. At the moment, the pressure is off a bit and he isn't doing as much. When he was going brilliant, he was working 5 times a week (only 3 times in school though and 2 hacking). Now he is doing 2-3 schooling (although shorter and not as intense) and one hacking I would say per week.

Regarding the saddle, I'm not convinced it's that. He is the same with and without the saddle. I also tried many saddles before I bought his current saddle (semiflex) and this was the best he went in. I will try and see if any other livery has something else though to try. But I do doubt it is the saddle. I have looked at his back and run fingers down it and he doesn't even flinch at all.