Exercises for improving canter?

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NativePonyLover

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I've also posted this in CR, I hope that it is ok to post in two areas of the forum?

I am slowly bringing on my youngster and he is making lots of improvements, but he is finding canter on the right rein quite difficult. His right rein is definitely his weaker rein anyway and being a chunky native, he gets very strong and finds flexing to the right much harder. He struggles to strike off on the correct lead and then to maintain the canter - he can go disunited in canter.*

He has regular physiotherapy which is helping and we regularly do carrot stretches and he wears a magnetic rug, which seems to help too.

But, was wondering if anyone has any exercises (ridden or inhand) to help his canter strike offs and maintaining canter on the right rein?
 
NativePonyLover said:
I've also posted this in CR, I hope that it is ok to post in two areas of the forum?

I am slowly bringing on my youngster and he is making lots of improvements, but he is finding canter on the right rein quite difficult. His right rein is definitely his weaker rein anyway and being a chunky native, he gets very strong and finds flexing to the right much harder. He struggles to strike off on the correct lead and then to maintain the canter - he can go disunited in canter.*

He has regular physiotherapy which is helping and we regularly do carrot stretches and he wears a magnetic rug, which seems to help too.

But, was wondering if anyone has any exercises (ridden or inhand) to help his canter strike offs and maintaining canter on the right rein?
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King of exercises: shoulder in. Shoulder in right, straighten for 3 - 4 strides then ask for strike off with the shoulder fore. Or, ask for canter from a collected walk and plenty of give on the inside rein.
 
I agree with the shoulder in but if its a youngser it may not understand what you are asking when asking for shoulder in and so will rush and not strike off into canter in a balanced way. I would go back to lunging to begin with and get the right canter established on the lunge. Also simple things like counter flexing in your warm up to encourage suppleness and also stepping into your inside stirrup to encourage the correct lead. Lunging will def help boost balance which in turn should make it easier when ridden, he is prob a bit strong as he is rushing due to lack of balance
 
Thanks for your suggestions:)

We have learnt shoulder-in (in a fashion :D ) in-hand and are managing a few steps under saddle - but think he may fall over his feet attempting shoulder in to canter!! :D

I've been lunging him with nothing on him (literally just off the lunge cavesson), so that he has full use of his neck to help balance himself going into canter and maintain the canter - on the left rein, he is maintain canter for a circle or two. But, on the right rein he can only manage about half a circle at a time.

Maybe, I'll just keep on going like this - he definitely has improved from six months ago, so patience is probably the key.

Good idea about the flexing in the warm up, I am definitely guilty of not doing enough. Must try harder!!

We do lots of hill work out hacking too - which, I'm hoping will help and he is quite happy to pop into canter out hacking.
 
On a 20 m circle trot half, canter half, trot half, canter half and so on. It will help with balance and help him sit back on his hocks, it will also help with the strike off as once he gets the idea he will anticipate it a bit.
Also turn on the forehand or haunches then ask for canter asap will have the same effect. Doesn't matter about the few trot strides in the transition to start with. This will help make him lighter in the hand and balanced.
 
I am really enjoying this thread....my boy cant get into canter on his right rein, never has :( riding instructor cant get him to do it too......he still holds alot of his movements back from cart pushing (abbleby and the likes)
 
I'm glad it is helping TChamp :D

My boy is similar, although not driven, he lived wild on the New Forest until 5/6 year old and moved in a definite 'scurry' - involving pulling himself along with his head in the air, rather than pushing from behind. He has got better, and our trot does resemble more of a two beat trot, but I think he still struggles with the 'pushing' motion going into canter. Oddly enough, when he is in canter, it is actually his best pace!

Is he the horse in your signature? He looks beautiful :)
 
I can't get my pony to strike off on the right leg either. Only been schooling on hacks tho so hoping she will be better in a school :rolleyes: she is improving just with more flexing on hacks I think.
 
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