DISUNITED CANTER - CAN ANYONE HELP?

[loveacob]

I have just purchased a horse which is quite long in the back and finds it difficult to find a balanced canter, he disunites from the start. I have started to lunge him in the hope that I can build his back up more. He was used in a stables mainly for anyone that couldn't ride very well, I am hoping that this is his problem he has only learnt to canter with hard handed riders. He is a sports horse and had rather large men on him, also first time riders, who couldn't even trot. I am having his back checked, also his teeth and not riding him too much, mainly leading him out and lunge work. He is badly in need of good shoeing, his feet are extremely bad, cracked and very long. I am hoping it is not anything more serious. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[KatB]

Well you are doing the right thing by getting everything checked. The best thing to build up back muscles is lots and lots of walk work, pref up hills!! Sound slike it is an avoidance from discomfort thing to become so well established...

 

[maddielove]

My horse was consistantly disunited in canter. We found out that her saddle was a very old style and very narrow at the back putting pressure on her spine. As soon as we tried on a new saddle and cantered round she was perfect! Although we did have to give her 6 weeks of lunging on a hill to build up her back muscle it's alll sorted now. My horse also has a very long back too..dont know if that makes things more akward for them or no.Good luck!

 

[kerilli]

you're doing everything right - sort out feet, back check (mctimoney chiro ideally, imho they are by far the best), saddle check, maybe use a prolite as wel as a cushion to help him. teeth check too is a good idea. a canter out on a hack in a straight line for a while is going to be easier for him than in the school where he has to keep turning and balancing round the corners, just a thought. i'd keep my bum up out of the saddle to start with, just let him canter underneath you with no weight on his back at all. very best of luck.

 

[loveacob]

Thank you all for your opinions, really appreciated. I have had his feet done today. I have been mainly walking him out as he is a little unsure of himself on his own. I lunged him yesterday and he did a lovely, short, canter on the left rein but could not manage one on the right, only disunited. Also found out by accident that he was backed as a four year old and then just dumped in a field until April this year and was then used by a trekking centre for novices, all shapes and sizes. I am going to take things really slowly and see how we go as he has the most amazing temperament, totally unspoilt and I love him to bits.

 

[kerilli]

very best of luck, sounds as if he's finally landed on his feet!