Exercises for a pony that rushes in canter

J

jess.hewlett

Active Member
Joined
9 March 2017
Messages
36
Visit site
I have a youngster who is a typical speedy little pony, which is lots of fun however not great for flatwork as he tends to rush too much especially in canter, does anyone know some good exercises or pole work that might help? :)
 
The primary cause for a youngster rushing in canter is being unbalanced. I'd work on his balance in walk and trot, only doing short sections of canter in straight lines, rather than trying to work on the canter. An unbalanced trot cannot transition into a balanced canter.
 
smja said:
The primary cause for a youngster rushing in canter is being unbalanced. I'd work on his balance in walk and trot, only doing short sections of canter in straight lines, rather than trying to work on the canter. An unbalanced trot cannot transition into a balanced canter.
Click to expand...

All true, but you do actually have to canter at some time....The best thing for helping balance and collection in canter is transitions; LOTS of transitions. And do them out of walk, and after a reinback straight into canter. I'd also do 5 strides canter, 10 strides walk, 5 strides canter, 10 strides walk on a large (20m) circle, and so on. And give pony time to learn and grow the muscles he needs to carry his canter, this will take months.
 
Agree with Cortez, loads of transitions, and just keep at it.

Does he jump? If so I would do lots of simple grids with canter poles between the jumps.
 
Thank you, He tends to buck when doing canter transitions, he is not at all in pain, have had that checked etc, but what could i do about that?
 
And circles, to engage his hocks (most ponies who rush are on the forehand to some extent). Start with 20m circles and only when he is balanced and comfortable with them reduce to slightly smaller and so on. And of course the same on both reins
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top