Canter trouble :/

Domino8212

Domino8212

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Hi! Looking for some advice on cantering my dales cob...
Everytime I ask for canter he squeals and bucks pulling the reins out of my hands, then barges down the middle of the school! He will canter up to a jump but trots a few strides away from it. Also I was wondering if you can do a 30-50cm showjumping class in trot? Lol xx
 
Sorry, you might not like my reply but my advice would be to stop jumping until you've got canter established properly. You don't say how old the pony is but he sounds like a youngster, if he is then teach him to canter by taking him out on hacks and cantering uphill, preferably with sensible company, then transfer the skill to the school. If he is older and he has only just started this behaviour get a vet to him, in case he has a problem. Otherwise a good RI would probably make all the difference.
 
Check the saddle - Shy bucked in canter, and the poor lad had the damned saddle pinching his newly growing withers. We are now treeless.

Once you've checked everything out, I would only do transitions for a few months. I did lots of walk/trot/canter changes, only four steps at a time, and he is much stronger and more balanced.
 
He is 12 and from what I gather has always done this, not been ridden much before I got him 2 years ago, he LOVES to canter out hacking. He absolutely hates flatwork in the school and naps constantly!! We cant get an instructor as not our menage and only get about half an hours notice as to when its free-Thanks though :)
 
My last horse used to do a "rear and buck" every time we cantered in company - like a rocking horse ! I found Shy HATED the school, and i think I was asking too much of him fitness wise. Now he's doing so well, but it has been hard work.

I also lunge once a week, 15 minutes max, which has helped no end with his balance. We do most of our schooling out on hacks tho..

Btw, Shy's mum is dales, and his family includes Westwick Heather if that means anything..
 
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Instead of stopping and pulling up etc, push him on, don't worry about being off the track etc. I'm schooling a young mare who had a tendancy to be a bit cheeky when asked into canter. Initially I was stopping her and asking again but then......I found if I pushed her on and on she quit it and got on with it. She now doesn't bother being naughty just gets on with it :) We do want them to go forward after all- the rest you can work on later :) Good luck!
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
Instead of stopping and pulling up etc, push him on, don't worry about being off the track etc. I'm schooling a young mare who had a tendancy to be a bit cheeky when asked into canter. Initially I was stopping her and asking again but then......I found if I pushed her on and on she quit it and got on with it. She now doesn't bother being naughty just gets on with it :) We do want them to go forward after all- the rest you can work on later :) Good luck!
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Thanks :) this sounds good ill try it when I get in the ménage next xx
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
Let us know how you get on :D
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I tried this on Tuesday, but unfortunately we shared the ménage with another rider who has a bonkers (if beautiful!!) horse!! She lunged her in the other half but obv my boy had his eyes on this mare the whole time! We have had him checked out also and he has a patch of white hair which we think is a sore from a long time ago, I am giving him the week off with daily massages :D so could have been he was in pain :( luckily not really schooled him much recently, thanks for alL your help everyone xxx
 
Domino8212 said:
I tried this on Tuesday, but unfortunately we shared the ménage with another rider who has a bonkers (if beautiful!!) horse!! She lunged her in the other half but obv my boy had his eyes on this mare the whole time! We have had him checked out also and he has a patch of white hair which we think is a sore from a long time ago, I am giving him the week off with daily massages :D so could have been he was in pain :( luckily not really schooled him much recently, thanks for alL your help everyone xxx
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Thanks for the update!!!

Oh dear, yes definitely sounds sore patch. Is it under the saddle area?

Yes!!!! lots of massage is great!!! and carrot stretches!!!

Hopefully you can get on with it soon :)
 
Yes it is under the saddle area, above his left shoulder :( wouldn't be so bad but because he has high withers his saddle sits higher and rubs on this patch. He's getting spoiled rotten though, may ease off the polos..... :D
 
Domino8212 said:
Yes it is under the saddle area, above his left shoulder :( wouldn't be so bad but because he has high withers his saddle sits higher and rubs on this patch. He's getting spoiled rotten though, may ease off the polos..... :D
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Ohhh definitely poor fitting saddle then :( Saddle fitting is the bane of my life!!!! x
 
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