Ex Racehorses and right lead canter

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bushbaby28

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HIya,

Went to see a horse to have on full loan yesterday. absolutely stunning. needs a bit of work but feel hes calm and sensible enough to have fun on and hes working really nicely.

the only problem was that he was really struggling to canter on his right leg. even if he went on to the right leg he seemed to want to change back. The owner and a few others said its an ex racer thing as they are so used to going round to the left when racing.

Is this true? or could it be a back/leg etc problem? anybody else had this problem? I REALLY like him so don't want this to put me off :-(
 
It's a load of rubbish.
Whilst most horses will show a preference for a particular lead, an ex-racehorse should have been pretty much evenly worked on both leads and any problems will require your judgement as to whether it's a simple lack of suppleness or if there's a more sinister physical issue going on.
 
One of my ex racers was the same. It improved with schooling and he had the obvious Chiro and saddle checks. Also correct hoof balance can help.
He has since been sold and the girl who has him said it gets better by the day.
smile.gif
 
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so what would you do? do i get him on loan and get physio out or do i ask if owner will get physio out beforehand?

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Id ask the owner to get the physio out before hand.
If they say no, think Id leave well alone.
 
And one of mine really struggled with left canter, would change straight back to right if you did finally get it and ended up finding out he had DJD in three joints in his left hind.......
 
well I have an ex racers and it will be down to muscle development try riding canter in two point to let him get over his back (rocky has this issue) then when he is comfortable sit. I would not worry about his legs ect but would try some lunging him on the right and i always find turn on the forhand helps PM me is you need any advise! Good luck they are so much fun!!!!!!!
 
Hello

This is common situation.

You should ideally ask that he is checked first by a chiropractor initially rather than a physio as it is possible he has a dropped hip which is preventing the canter. This is the first thing to rule out and of course any other chiropractic issues.

If that is ok, then you can look towards proper schooling exercises to help him learn the correct strike off.

We all know that horses do favour a lead as they do a diagonal unless we physcially change it. Yes, he should have been worked off both leads when in training but if he tended to favour a leg, then it is doubtful whether a trainer would worry about "evening up the balance" as long as the horse was working.

Please PM if you would like any further help.

Rowena
Retraining Consultant to the RoR (Retraining of Racehorses)
 
I used to share ex-racer that had exact same problem. But he did have a dodgy hock. My instructor managed to get him striking off on right lead by lunging. Would bring him on tighter and tighter circles until he went off on right leg, then let go into larger circle.
 
I think its probably safer to say that it is just a problem with horses full stop, just like people they will always prefer one lead to the other, if its nothing sinister then it is probably just stiffness and being unbalanced, and unfit.
I've had loads of ex racers and never been a problem that any other horse wouldn't have in my opinion!!!!!
 
Of course Nailed it is a question of balance but a physical impediment should be ruled out first or worked with (depending on what it is).

Undoubtedly many thoroughbreds do favour a leg (and trainers readily admit some of their horses prefer a left or right handed track).

The inability to get the correct lead is also due the rider's lack of co-ordination, balance or experience.

So let's keep this in perspective and work through the logical sequence that you would for any horse; as someone has said this isn't an issue that is purely the domain of the "ex-racehorse".
 
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