Exercises for unbalenced youngster

Dizzyblonde99

Dizzyblonde99

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Hello, been give the oppurtunity to ride a little 4yr 14hh gelding over summer. He's a lively willing little chap takes him a few minutes to settle down then he trys his hardest to learn and please.

He's very unbalenced in his canter, he normally strikes off on the right leg but then the right leg gets a bit stressfull (mainly on corners) and bucks/ trys to change leg normally ending up disunited. Does anyone have any exersises to help him become a little more balanced in his canter work?

Although he's working on the bridle and encouraging him to relax I'm wondering wether there may be a bit out there that would be better for him than a plain snafflle. Some where I think I have a snaffle with copper rollers, thought it may be worth trying him in that to encourage him to relax and chew a little more. But the one I have is rather rusty, does anyone know how much they costish and wether it might be worth trying him in one?

And finally! Had a little pop over a cross pole he willingly trotted over but doesn't seem to really respect the poles. Anyone have tips for getting him to respect the fences a little more? The poles were plastic do I just try to get hold of some wooden ones?

Thanks everyone, really looking forward to seeing this little man grow up having so much fun riding him :D Hope the rain isn't too bad with you all, had two very soggy grumpy horses this evening.
 
You could try canter poles.. although if he panics over which legs to use he could end up tripping on them :rolleyes: hope someone on here has a better answer for you!
 
I had a mare that was exactly the same, was very unbalanced, would buck become disunited etc..

We started off just cantering out on hacks mostly, that way she would be in a straight line, making canter much easier for her, we did most of this on the stubble fields around the farm, up hill if possible.. No bombing just steady canters. When we felt she was balanced and steady doing this we then progressed to canter in a more in enclosed area.

The key is transition transitions transitions! We taught her to respect the riders seat very well, where literally if you squeezed your thighs she would stop, this was very useful as whenever she bucked going into canter we would stop her instantly using the seat (no yanking in the mouth) she sooned learned it was easier to just letmthe rider help her! Lots and lots of trotting to canter a few strides then back to collected trot. The same on the lunge, lots and lots of transitions.

We ended up with a very responsive balanced and collected mare who previously was a bit of a cow! Bit wise I would maybe suggest a French link? And maybe a full cheek or hanging cheek snaffle (:

Good luck x
 
At that age, the best training should be done out on hacks as he will learn how to balance himself far better on straight lines. He has to learn to balance himself with a rider's weight and movement on him; that's a very big ask and should never be underestimated at whatever age they go under saddle for the first time.
Good straight work, always forward will make it much easier for him to learn that balance and then you can fairly ask him for school work.
 
Hi!
Well you could kill two birds with one stone. With my first suggestion. I will try to explain with out sounding patronizing.
You can loose school him over some fences, if he is getting his legs in a pickle a bit, place some trotting poles down in front of the fences ( around three long stides apart) so he has to sort himself out. Then start with a cross pole and go from there. Perhaps place a three stride double. That should really help him to focus on what his feet are doing. And help him to balance himself a bit more ready for when you ride him.
Would suggest wooden poles yes.
For flatwork you can practice using your seat to push him forwards and come back.
Along the long side push him forwards and back into differant rhythms of walk, trot and canter. If your doing it in canter and he hasnt mastered it, take the corner in trot. Make sure you give him lots of love when he try's. Once he has mastered it along the long side you can put him on a 20m circle. This will require him to realy think and be balanced especially in the slower rhythms.

Once he has got it you can then make sure when you aproach the corner you are moving at a controlled balanced speed by you not him. If he does play up let him know you are not happy. For me normally a growl will service.
By getting him going forwards and coming back from your seat it will help you and him to be much more balanced. The horse will find the work interesting and so will be concentraing better too.
Hope this has helped!! Good luck. X
 
Has already been said but hacking and lots of cantering in straight lines. Then introduce corners, a variety of pole work building up to small cross poles then grid work.
 
As for respecting the poles my boy knows the difference between plastic and wooden and will take the mick with the first. Wooden is much better also I put a white plank as a trot pole or under the fence to make him focus more.
 
Brilliant thanks everyone very helpfull! Think I will have to find some wooden poles, anyone out there know much about snaffles with copper rollers? Do you think he'd prefur one or not?
 
Dizzyblonde99 said:
Brilliant thanks everyone very helpfull! Think I will have to find some wooden poles, anyone out there know much about snaffles with copper rollers? Do you think he'd prefur one or not?
Click to expand...
Hi.
Yes copper rollers, or sweet irons, i tend to all ways start my youngsters with a sweet iron french link, so they mouth lots and lots, like to take the bit because its tastes nice, and its very soft on the mouth wich helps to keep them relaxed.
Maybe experiment a little. I normally flit between the sweet iron and then go for the copper roller a bit further down the line. But it depends on the gg.
Good luck! X
 
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