Dressage canter problems with poking nose!

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ChestnutMonty

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My horse is naturally built with a poking nose but has lovely paces and goes in a light, soft round contact quite nicely in walk & trot, if a little long & long. But I have never been able to get him truly round or 'on the bit' in canter.

He had a course of physio as a 5 year old (he is now 11!) after a long lox rest sentence and the physio therapist said she thought he had maybe pecked on landing after a jump with previous owner and landed on his head and as a result had torn muscles in his neck causing some un-usual 'cording' (I believe this is where the scar tissue broken muscle has bonded tightly) to the musles, however she said this would not really affect him in dressage other than needing more time to warm up. With this in mind I have always been very patient and always keep my hands quiet and still.

I dont use any 'gadgets' other than side reins when lunging and he will eventually round up in canter but not really soften his neck and go on the bit like he does in trot.

Am I being too soft???
Any tips??
 
umm, if he has can soften correctly and through in trot, i think he should be able to in canter. gentle persistence, maybe keeping a very slightly firmer (but still elastic) inside rein contact and allowing more with the outside, so you get a bit more direct flexion to begin with, which will hopefully give him the idea of the lateral flexion.
 
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee231/chestnutmonty/dressage1.png" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

I have since bought this photo so not copyright!
 
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<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee231/chestnutmonty/dressage1.png" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

I have since bought this photo so not copyright!

[/ QUOTE ]

cant see it ??
 
Sorry what do you mean by 'direct flexion' bending to the inside?
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Thanks for your comments I will try them out.

I also like to add he has his back, saddles checked & teeth done every 6 months.

I think it is difficult for him, as he is a real trier and never refuses to give something a go, will just have to keep doing carrot exercises etc and lots of dressage over the winter!
and just try and be a little more persuasive with him!
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Sit on your bottom, get your leg on her properly, drop your heal down, and stop leaning forward. Put your elbows at your side not stuck out in front of you, and take a contact.
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Sit on your bottom, get your leg on her properly, drop your heal down, and stop leaning forward. Put your elbows at your side not stuck out in front of you, and take a contact.
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Thanks, I like your honesty!
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maybe i've got to be more regimented with myself and him? x
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maybe i've got to be more regimented with myself and him? x

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Yep - you just don't look as if you're doing anything - and he's all strung out.
 
I second the advise of sit up, shoulders back, leg on and take a contact. However, it looks to me like he's leaning in the photos. Is he leaning? or is it just the photos, it looks like you're holding him up. I would do lots and lots and lots and lots and lots - you get the drift - of transitions. Do them in all paces and really get the inside hind leg engaged. Once in canter can you carry a stick and touch him very gently when he starts to lean to activate the inside hind and get him off his forehand. Don't worry where his head is that comes from being engaged behind. He will eventually soften if you get the hind legs engaged and don't allow him to lean on your contact. He needs to go forward into an elastic contact.

But, make sure your reins are the correct length for him to go to, not to short as to pull on his mouth, but not to long as if you wanted to ride long and low.
 
yes as he finds dressage quite difficult because of his confirmation (see third pick on a loose rein) and when he gets a bit tired he does lean on me.

Thank you for your help I will try comments suggested
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Will report back after a couple of weeks work!
 
He's conformation looks good to me, he may be built a little downhill but the rest of him looks very nicely in proportion. I think we all get a little hung up on the idea of "dressage", put that out of your mind and think of a correct way of going or classic equitation. Your horse is more than capable of learning to carry himself and transfer more weight to his hindquarters. But he needs to learn how to do it and you must teach him, through exercise and encouragement. Good luck.
 
Hi there,

hes not built too differently to my girlie - shes naturally poky nosed!

DSC00056.jpg

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But with work and the (on my part) confidence to really pick up and hold my outside rein she can go like this
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DSC_0289.jpg


not perfect but better (and she had just come home from a unsuitable loan home - only been back 5 days)
 
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