Identifying a disunited canter while riding

[melbournesunrise]

Was riding earlier, and canter felt a bit funny - it was the weaker rein, so I wasn't too worried. Then it occurred to me that it could have been funny if he'd been disunited in his canter.

How would you tell if that was the case? If I were on the ground, or watching a video, I'd be able to tell, but what about when I'm riding and there's no one there to look and see? Is there a way to know if a horse is disunited without having to stick your head round and unbalance yourself and the horse (possibly more than it is already)?

 

[paddi22]

you just get a feel for it.. chances are if you think its disunited it it..

 

[Wheels]

It feels like riding a washing machine lol

As paddi says you will get a feel for it and once you do you will recognise it every time

 

[blitznbobs]

It just feels horrible ... get someone on the ground to look for you - after a few times you can’t mistake the feeling

 

[Cortez]

It feels like riding a washing machine lol

Ha ha! That's exactly what I was going to say.....

 

[[69117]]

I tell people I teach that it feels like sitting in a washing machine with a bag of rocks. Blegh.

You'll learn to feel it. Chances are if it feels wrong, it probably is.

 

[melbournesunrise]

Thanks guys. Good to know there's a general consensus. I wouldn't say it felt like a washing machine at all... so maybe it was just the fact that it was the weaker leg. Which is good in a way, because the only way to strengthen it is to use it!

 

[Cortez]

Thanks guys. Good to know there's a general consensus. I wouldn't say it felt like a washing machine at all... so maybe it was just the fact that it was the weaker leg. Which is good in a way, because the only way to strengthen it is to use it!

Ah, but have you ever ridden a washing machine? How would you know?

 

[JFTDWS]

Ah, but have you ever ridden a washing machine? How would you know?

I was going to say that I know what a disunited canter feels like, but I've no idea what a washing machine would actually feel like - would it be different on different settings, for example? Are some more expressive than others?

 

[Cortez]

I was going to say that I know what a disunited canter feels like, but I've no idea what a washing machine would actually feel like - would it be different on different settings, for example? Are some more expressive than others?

Well, there's always the spin cycle.....

 

[JFTDWS]

Well, there's always the spin cycle.....

Is that for practicing your sitting trot, or is it only for getting dizzy on western washing machines?

 

[Cortez]

Is that for practicing your sitting trot, or is it only for getting dizzy on western washing machines?

I'd have thought it was more of an extended movement

 

[Wheels]

Ah, but have you ever ridden a washing machine? How would you know?

Yeah but it bucked me off

 

[Cortez]

Yeah but it bucked me off

You'll have to get it's top checked now....

 

[Sail_away]

You will start to get a feel for when the horse is disunited, but if you’re not sure it can help to push the canter on a bit more and if you are disunited it should feel more obvious, normally if you put your leg back and ask for canter again they’ll switch their legs to sort themselves out

 

[Pinkvboots]

It almost feels like they have an extra leg lol!

 

[Chippers1]

It's horribly uncomfortable! Mine does it around jump courses occasionally..great for when i'm trying to concentrate!

 

[ester]

I was going to say that I know what a disunited canter feels like, but I've no idea what a washing machine would actually feel like - would it be different on different settings, for example? Are some more expressive than others?

having ridden a few yes some are more expressive than others. Glad I could clear that up for you 🤣

 

[albeg]

I was going to say that I know what a disunited canter feels like, but I've no idea what a washing machine would actually feel like - would it be different on different settings, for example? Are some more expressive than others?

Sounds like a time-waster for this evening. Have to put a wash on anyway so might as well kill two birds with one stone.

To answer the question, I'd say it feels twisted (and exaggerates my wonky-ness).

 

[eggs]

I find it feels a bit rock and roll - as you tend to be rocked sideways as well as forwards and backwards.

 

[D66]

More like a bicycle with wonky wheels, or like a cross between canter and trot.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Sounds like a time-waster for this evening. Have to put a wash on anyway so might as well kill two birds with one stone.

To answer the question, I'd say it feels twisted (and exaggerates my wonky-ness).

I can't join in as mine sits under a worktop

 

[9tails]

It's so obvious usually, the rear quarters going down when it should be coming up. Mine feels really odd and there's no way I can stay in the saddle while she's doing it, so I stand in my stirrups until she's put herself right. We hack mostly so when we're cantering along a track, it sometimes happens when she spooks.

JTFD - you need an old washing machine preferably one where the block of concrete has moved and it walks itself across the kitchen floor in spin. The new washing machines barely wobble at all.

 

[albeg]

I can't join in as mine sits under a worktop

What about a local laundrette? For science?

 

[albeg]

It's so obvious usually, the rear quarters going down when it should be coming up. Mine feels really odd and there's no way I can stay in the saddle while she's doing it, so I stand in my stirrups until she's put herself right. We hack mostly so when we're cantering along a track, it sometimes happens when she spooks.

JTFD - you need an old washing machine preferably one where the block of concrete has moved and it walks itself across the kitchen floor in spin. The new washing machines barely wobble at all.

I found a rambo dry rug does a good job of turning the machine into a bit of a bronco when I forgot to reduce the spin. Thought it was going to come through the wall that day... 😱

 

[Pinkvboots]

What about a local laundrette? For science?

Now that would be a sight for the locals!

 

[melbournesunrise]

Ah, but have you ever ridden a washing machine? How would you know?

Oh bother, now everyone knows what I get up to on a quiet night

All joking aside, I actually don't know what a washing machine feels like... but after all of you giving an extended discourse on it, I have to think now that he was actually disunited - I wasn't sitting the canter, we were hacking and I like to be off his back for that. Next time it feels weird, I'll either bring him back and try again, or I'll put my leg on again and try to get him to change and see what happens!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I find if you just keep going they sort there legs out themselves after a few strides.

 

[blitznbobs]

Just make sure you wear your headscarf whilst mounted... #safetyfirst

 

[9tails]

Oh bother, now everyone knows what I get up to on a quiet night

All joking aside, I actually don't know what a washing machine feels like... but after all of you giving an extended discourse on it, I have to think now that he was actually disunited - I wasn't sitting the canter, we were hacking and I like to be off his back for that. Next time it feels weird, I'll either bring him back and try again, or I'll put my leg on again and try to get him to change and see what happens!

He'll most likely put himself right with a skip, I don't think it's comfortable for them either.