Horse 'scrunching' up (I have invented a new technical term!)

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scotsmare

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My stressage horse was off work for 6 months through injury. She came back to work 12 weeks ago now. We have walked for 8 weeks (v. tedious!), started trotting and last week I tried canter.

Trouble is she kind of scrunches herself up, drops right back behind the bridle and almost canters on the spot for about 10 or so strides. You can put your leg on without her exploding so I don't think it's excitement
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She does eventually reach forward again and take on a 'normal' canter stride but I'm a bit bemused as to why this has started (never used to do it before injury).

Her back, saddle, teeth etc have all been checked and are fine. Was a tendon injury if that helps!

Any suggestions??
 
After 6 months off shes probably lacking in suppleness and backs off to save using herself. Just takes a long time to regain former level, its early days yet!
 
It sounds like classic excitement plus a way to avoid using herself harder, it takes minimal effort to sit back and bounce behind the bridle rather than using herself more powering forward and working.
When this happens we ride them forward first on a loose rein at a strong trot even if it feels a bit unbalanced and running, then we canter the same way, virtually no contact just making them get off your leg and move along.
A good session of this usually sorts it.
I think she's just found a new way of going she finds appealing!
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Her muscles are probably just feeling a bit weird if she hasn't done any canter work for a while. Just do little and often, and build up, hopefully she'll stop doing it with time!
 
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