Head in the air on canter transition!

[SNORKEY]

I've brought my boy back into work after 5 months off and just started canter work. When ever I ask for canter he shoots his head up before settling down into an outline.
I'm very light with my hands and use my seat to ride, I've never had this problem before with him and I can't seem to get him to stop it!
He's also rushing, do you think its just because of lack of muscle and a bit out of practice? Any ideas?

 

[Clippy]

I knew one which behaved very similar to your description going into canter and it turned out she had a sore back

 

[Ginger Bear]

Could be a number of things, could be unbalanced, could have a sore back, could be a physical issue elsewhere in the body. one of ours was doing it in the trot transition & he was very tetchy around the pole. My mums mare does it due to back issues she's had and now they are sorted its a bit of a confidence issue.

 

[YorksG]

A vote for saddle fit here, if he is coming back into work, it is possible that his shape is not quite what it was before the lay off and so is causing some interference with his back on the transition.

 

[tallyho!]

Not just saddle fit, but I would get a physio to check if there is another issue e.g. pelvis, poll, etc.

How long has he been back in work? Did you do any canter on the lunge?