I haven't cantered in almost a year :(

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poiuytrewq

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This realisation hit me today! My horse is kept in a bad area, very boggy marsh land or busy tourist village/road work. Obviously being as wet as its been this year the bridle way has been passable at walk. when it was dry big horned cows with a tendancy to chase were on the bridleway so safer to walk. Some friends do canter through but I'd not risk any faster personally with my horse certainly due to his old injury and dislike of softer ground, in fact I've not even walked that way since before Christmas as it was almost to his knees! I did canter up his own field a few times in spring but other than that trot is our fast!
 
Most of our hacking is on the road - there are a couple of fields which can be used for a canter on hacks, but they'd be too slippy anyway at the moment. There are loads of yards which don't have hacking onto canterable areas. The last yard I was at was in the middle of a park and you could canter everywhere and anywhere, at any time of year, but to be honest the novelty wears off after a while....your solution is either just accept it or move....
 
It would have been last August when I last cantered on Jerry. That was when there was a stubble field that was accessible. Since then I have only done roadwork but then Jerry went lame at the beginning of Dec and I haven't ridden him since! I am hoping to ride this week though - if the snow and ice can go away please!
 
I managed about 4 canters last summer due to the wet fields.
Luckily we have an indoor, so have a yee ha round there as often as we can :)
 
Is it really OK to canter on the roads just because your horse is unshod? Surely one would still get a fair bit of concussion regardless of footwear? Mind you, trotting can be pretty rough on the legs on a hard surface.
 
I'm the same! Although its probably been since about October.
No arena and I can't move as I'm at home.
Rolllll on summer :D
 
And a proper school in an arena is the very best way to teach your horse how to better balance and carry himself in canter, especially if you havn't done it in a while, non?
 
I shall definitely 'hire' my neighbour's arena this spring. (I swap the use of arena for the occasional bottle of wine!).
Just need horsey to stay sound and the snow to go so I can actually get there - no gritting lorry comes down our lane!
 
I am eternally grateful for my small arena - it means that all of my horses are able to get out, even just for a roll and a leg stretch, every day. My friend's horse is confined to barracks for most of the week and is a complete loon when she manages to ride him at the weekend. Gawd bless the arena!
 
MrsJingle said:
Is it really OK to canter on the roads just because your horse is unshod? Surely one would still get a fair bit of concussion regardless of footwear? Mind you, trotting can be pretty rough on the legs on a hard surface.
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Well I look at this way... for many thousands of years horses evolved on mountains, deserts etc and are pretty well equipped to deal with the concussion a hard surface may deliver at speed.

I wouldn't do it with a shod horse as the foot does not work in the same way as it does without.

But anyway, this is not a barefoot debate!!!! :D:D:D:D

It's about looking for somewhere to have a decent canter... I like the idea of boxing up and going somewhere. Thing is, most of Britain is a bog at the mo so maybe we should all wait just a teeny bit longer :(
 
I'm sure I have read somewhere that a steady canter causes less concussion to the legs than trotting on the road. Of course there is an increased risk of slipping with a shod horse which is why I wouldn't canter on the road but I know of folk who do.
 
You only have to wait for the hunt to come through my dad's village to see that cantering shod horses on roads is THE done thing. Everyone does it. The noise is unbelievable.

My dad once saw a horse do the splits in his youth when he worked at Brocklesby in the 60's. Horse didn't survive the injuries to it's knees, shoulders and face. He's can't watch them now it's traumatised him that much.
 
Not just me then! He is a non trailer loader! And the only transport I have access to us a trailer so going elsewhere isn't really possible. As for moving him I'd kill to, it's just finding someplace I can put 4 horses for £100 a month. I suppose the cheap rent means its not going to be perfect. There is absolutely no way this summer can be as wet.... ;)
 
It's a little naughty but we canter on the verges. (Roads very quiet round our way!)

Had no idea about the barefoot cantering...surely the concussion is similar to a shod horse it's only the danger of slipping that's reduced, no?
 
The concussion is significantly different cheeryplatypus :) Coupled with reduced danger of slippage, it's blimmin' brilliant.
 
I haven't cantered for nearly a year either! My share horse was on field rest, went back to having riding lessons with an instructor who had very forward going horses and we went back to basics which has meant nothing faster than trot!

I hope I remember how to sit to a canter when I finally get my own horse!
 
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