Exercises for Green horse struggling to pick up canter

[Lissie2]

As it says above! Just speeds up in trot and will fall into few strides of canter if even able to get transition. This is on lunge line. Established in walk and trot, and under saddle. Late starter - is 6. Any excercies or tips? Tried canter under saddle once and got excited bronking but unfortunately been too frozen or muddy to try again recently which is frustrating. But I wont risk damage. Want to see how I can improve this in hand while the ground is so poor x

 

[xgemmax]

Canter in a straight line out hacking. He's not balanced enough to do it on a circle yet, hence he is struggling.

 

[Lissie2]

I have linked two lunge lines together....so it is a very large circle. Obviously still too much bend. Will have to wait for the ground to improve x

 

[xgemmax]

Have you tried asking when long reining? Could help if you're able to hold on the outside rein as well?

 

[be positive]

Canter in a straight line out hacking. He's not balanced enough to do it on a circle yet, hence he is struggling.

This, if you are lunging in anything other than a decent arena he will really struggle with balance, a slip or two can make them more cautious so they give up trying, get out hacking ask going uphill and push on if he gets silly rather than holding back and him bottling himself up, if you can pop into forward seat and allow him to use himself it often helps, use a neckstrap so you have an anchor and it will also allow him some freedom.

 

[tallyho!]

As it says above! Just speeds up in trot and will fall into few strides of canter if even able to get transition. This is on lunge line. Established in walk and trot, and under saddle. Late starter - is 6. Any excercies or tips? Tried canter under saddle once and got excited bronking but unfortunately been too frozen or muddy to try again recently which is frustrating. But I wont risk damage. Want to see how I can improve this in hand while the ground is so poor x

How established in walk and trot? How long since you started?

Canter will come with balance, just give it time, patience and reward and make sure the voice aids are clear and distinctive - once they "get it" - it comes along on its own bit by bit. Have some patience. Don't force it or you will always have a horse that stumbles into canter - not comfortable.

Straight lines out hacking is good, as ever, and just take your time and let the horse find its balance. Even if you're bringing a horse back into work, I would still start cantering out on a hack rather than on a lunge.

 

[ljohnsonsj]

He may not be able to pick it up yet. My horse is rising 4 this year, he's been broken correctly and under saddle for sometime now, but is just so weak and unbalanced in his paces/frame that we just walk and trot and do lots of transitions. I often find when they're struggling it's because of physical reasons, not because they aren't trying.

 

[smja]

Under saddle, straight line, sensible older horse upsides.

Ask from a light seat and using a voice aid, use the older horse to encourage them to go forwards but not rush off.

 

[Abby-Lou]

Yes I had the same issue with a 3 year old took me a year to really get going, Just let it happen out hacking up a stubble field or a hill. She wouldn't really take a lead from another horse as very independent type.

 

[scats]

My mare came go me with no concept of canter. I introduced it in straight lines out hacking for the first 6 months.
If i had asked on the lunge she would have fallen on her face.

 

[Cortez]

Is your horse a cob by any chance?

 

[SEL]

My horse really struggles to canter in our small indoor school (she's 6, late starter with some physical issues). Her lameness work-up was done at the hospital where they had a lovely large outdoor arena. With space to balance herself she popped into canter on both reins on the lunge as soon as I asked - so I know she understands, but she just can't sort out her legs in a small space yet!