Hindquarters too powerful?!

[Bounty]

Has anyone ever found/felt that their youngsters hindquarters are just too powerful?!

I can just about channel the power and help her to balance in trot, but in canter the hind end is just so powerful that it feels as though it is driving her onto her forehand?

Usually with youngsters I try and stay light on their backs in canter, but in her case should I be sitting in to her more and helping her lift the front end?

 

[Horsemad12]

Try asking her to lift the front end (Sit but but still with a light seat if poss) for a few strides and then soften and left her stretch again. Repeat for a few strides at a time.

I would also try spiralling in and out on circles.

Assuming she is young take your time and it will come,

 

[kerilli]

i'd keep the canters short, do lots of transitions, lots of lateral work, lots of half-halts and changes within the pace. you can't really help her to lift the front end, she's got to learn how to do that herself. it's a nice problem to have!

 

[Bounty]

Thank you both

Am doing all of the above as a matter of course anyway, in a rough and ready baby kind of way, but thought I had better check! It really isn't a problem I've ever had before and certainly not one I expected to have with a little bog standard TB!
My saddle fitter (who is also a dressage diva) is literally jumping up and down with the excitement of seeing what she will mature into as she is just SO powerful already

She is doing a couple more weeks and then being turned away for the winter, so hopefully next year the shoulders will be strong enough to match the backend better

 

[chatter1]

I've got exactly the same problem with my big young mare, its like the back end almost overtakes the front!! Trouble is she thinks that to go faster will help but of course it just makes it worse! let me know if you find any good excercises that help!

 

[Bossanova]

I've ridden a few like this and it does just take time.

We've got a fab thoroughbred who has the most awesome back end ever but has really struggled to be off the forehand and control his own energy. Lots and lots of spiral circles, shoulder-fore and walk-canter/canter-walk has helped him no end.

Dont try to contain the actual canter, you'll merely stilt the hindleg and you want to keep that lovely natural step

 

[TableDancer]

[ QUOTE ]
Dont try to contain the actual canter, you'll merely stilt the hindleg and you want to keep that lovely natural step

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with this - it's easy to try and slow the canter too much - you need to keep back end energy at the same time as helping with balance. I have one who was just the same. Also agree with Boss's exercises - but also with your comment that best not to worry too much this year, she vould feel very different when you get on her next spring.

 

[Bounty]

Thank you again people

I am in no danger of stilting the canter, don't worry

I am so paranoid about quashing a forward attitude out of the babies that I almost probably go too far the other way, which leaves me with forward paces but sometimes not enough 'lift' in the stride

One day I will get the balance right!!!
I have been doing a lot of 'squares' in walk and trot, so that she is turning on the haunches at every corner which has helped me lighten the shoulders no end, but I have a feeling this would be too much to ask for in canter at the moment?

I really need to wait for next year, but we are having so much FUN that I am really struggling not to get carried away. She is just so easy to work with!