Equiami - Bucking in canter

C

CobsGalore

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 August 2012
Messages
2,298
Location
Buckinghamshire
Visit site
Got my equiami a few weeks ago, very impressed with it and horse starting to work really nicely in it. Have been using it a couple of times a week as it states in booklet.

Today I thought we would try a little canter but horse had massive bucking fit into transition. He settled down, asked him to come back to trot and then asked for canter again, but had the same reaction. On both reins too.

Anyone else had this reaction? Do you think he was just having a little tantrum from being asked to work properly?

Do you think I should leave it a few more weeks before asking for canter again or persevere?
 
Last edited:
Looking at the equiami training aid to me it doesn't look like it makes a horse work correctly but rather in a false outline so probably all this "correct" work has caused some back ache. If he's never bucked before then I would think the cause of it is obvious and stop using the equiami
 
Sorry I meant to say that it is the lunging aid I'm using, not the riding aid. Never heard anyone think it creates a false outline before, he definitely has been working correctly. Have been very impressed with it to be honest.
 
The lunge aid is fab as they cannot evade-so do work correctly! How many times a week do you use it for OP?

My mare used to buck with it on going into canter (I never asked her to canter in it mind, she's naughty!) and it's because she can't evade it and has a tantrum! Personally I focus on walk and trot with it though. She used to buck with it in trot too initially but once she accepted it she was fine.
 
I have an equiami too, they really are great aren't they? You'll soon see a big difference.
How often do you use it, did you do a lot of lunge work before the equiami? It could just be that as he is being asked to work correctly, he finds the canter transition difficult if moving 'properly' isn't something he has done a lot of in the past - it is still quite early days for him.
My mare did initially struggle with canter on the equiami, she didn't buck but was very unbalanced. I mainly focused on walk/trot, and once her back muscles had built up she did find canter a lot easier. I don't do a lot of canter work with her on the lunge as I worry about the strain on her joints, but do ask for a circle or two. It could just be that he needs time to build up the correct muscles - also stating the obvious (sorry!), but do make sure that the equiami is initially very loose for canter - almost baggy (but not so much that he will get caught up!) x
 
Am right in thinking the equiami has a strap that goes around the hind legs? It's not really surprising that a horse would start bucking when they are not used to that strap being there. My horse bucked in the pessoa so I stopped using it.
 
It's usually just an evasion I wouldn't be concerned too much at the beginning for 4 weeks max twice a week I would only walk and trot, then intro canter. The equiami, jw training aid etc are very demanding on the horse as there is no get out.
 
Thank you for opinions. I think he was just having a bit of a tantrum!

He is used to being lunged, and I have used a Pessoa in the past with him but I didn't like it and he didn't like it either, but he never bucked in it and isn't really one to react to things around his legs, so I don't think it was that.

I will just stick to walk and trot for a bit longer until he is stronger and can cope with some short bursts of canter.

I'm looking forward to seeing more improvements, I have been so impressed so far, it's amazing!
 
Try to get the horse to make the transition over a longish time .
If I get this reaction I use a cccccccccccc canter voice aid it gives the horse time to prepare itself .
Cantering in the equi ami is very hard work for some horses and takes time to develop.
If he bucks say no very firmly stop him and start again .
I am quite happy for good cantering on the lunge to take anything up to a year to develop just go at it a bit a time .
 
Goldenstar said:
One other thing is he moving croup high ? These horses often buck on the lunge .
Click to expand...

Yes he is slightly croup high, his shape is still changing though. I guess I'll just take it a bit slower and stick to walk and trot, maybe try a couple of canter transitions in another few weeks and see what happens.

For those who have the equiami - do you use the riding aid as well? What do you think of it?
 
Not as much because I've figured out when to ask for canter. I used to ask when I fancied it but now I watch him more closely and wait untill he's really through from behind and sat back on his hocks more, then I ask. If his hind legs are trailing out behind him he gets unbalanced and then gets his knickers in a twist during the transition so throws a buck in.
 
shadowboy said:
Not as much because I've figured out when to ask for canter. I used to ask when I fancied it but now I watch him more closely and wait untill he's really through from behind and sat back on his hocks more, then I ask. If his hind legs are trailing out behind him he gets unbalanced and then gets his knickers in a twist during the transition so throws a buck in.
Click to expand...

That's very interesting and helpful thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top