Is this unfair?

tabithakat64

tabithakat64

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Is it unfair to keep a horse if it will only be worked in walk and trot? Even if the work is varied (hacking, schooling, ground work, in-hand showing)
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Each to their own I guess. It wont be so bad if the horse does get to go in the field. I know a lot of ppl and they only walk and trot theirs, ranging from lead rein ponies to the adults they just dont like to canter so I say its fine.

Can I ask why you dont canter if it is you?
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I dont overdo it with mine though when I hack he does get to canter and gallop sometimes but rarely I like to keep our brakes in tact lol.
 
My first thought is NO. I don't see a problem with that at all.....esp if the work is varied.
Just wonder how you can contain the pace when you turn the horse out thow??
 
No, it will be fine. You are not obligated to keep it, nothing wrong with putting it down, but you can not say you did it 'for the horse'.
 
i think its fine
to start with i was unable to canter or do anything more than a walk and a trot which suited my ned down to the ground. Ans now shes just as happy with my a big sack of potatos cantering her jumping her ect.

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I think some of you have misunderstood me
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After falling off at the weekend I'm concerned that my balance is not good enough to canter my horse (he canters like a beach ball), I have had his saddle, back etc checked and am fairly sure that it's my balance thats the problem
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(we hadn't cantered for a while as we've been working on some of his other issues)
Have been thinking of things that may or may not help my balance, a breastplate, chaps, seat savers, sticky bum jodhpurs, cantering up hill, lunge lessons on a school master etc
Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
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My horse is turned out 24/7, fed a forage based diet and I plan on having someone else ride him to see if they have similiar problems.
I really want to be able to canter, but am not sure if my ME has affected my balance so much that it's no longer possible for me to do so safely and if so is it really fair to keep my horse as he's only ten?
Am devestated that I may not be able to ride properly any more and that the things I was working towards with my horse may never happen now
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Why should it be unfair? Many driving ponies only walk and trot when worked and virtually all of that is done on the road!

Our oldest horse has been retired but I'm now going to bring him back into work and we will be walking and trotting only, despite the fact that he is a fast and excellent jumper both XC and SJ. He's had two unexplained falls at canter where his front end just stopped working and his back end powered on and I'm not prepared to take the risk he does it with me on board.

Even if yours is kept in provided he's taken out every day and given a variety of tasks to do I'm sure he'll be fine.
 
If you are up to it, try something like Pilates that strengthens your core muscles. I broke my back and do Pilates now - It is helping with my riding and balance...
Also check your saddle....
 
Right - we cross posted.

Your horse will have a ball - he can go like a loony if he wants to when he's out, you riding him will give him plenty else to think about.

As your condition changes you may feel confident and balanced enough to try another canter. How about sidesaddle? can that help one feel / stay more balanced. I love all your suggestions to help your balance and think you should definitely give them ago.

This sounds horrid but isn't meant to be - is it your ME that's making you lack confidence in yourself? Might the fall have happened to "the man in the street"?

Get an instructor whom you trust totally to make sure that you do nothing that he/she considers will dent your confidence whilst at the same time stretching you.

Good luck, best wishes, and get out there and enjoy your horse!
 
Unfortunately it was definitely me, Fudge does spring into canter and he bounces along
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but it's nothing that should have made me fall off, funnily enough I'm the most confident I've ever been
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Have you tried standing in your stirrups in canter when you are out hacking, its much easier and you don't bounce about, it kinder to your horses back too
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I dont consider it unfair on a ridden horse, a happy hack. If the horse has turn out and can have a buck and kick around that should be enough. A lot of people dont get access to hacking where they can have a good safe gallop.
 
nope no problems just doing walk and trot, infact i have a pony who wont do canter!

horsey will be plenty happy enough mucking round in the field and doing walk and trot with you.
I'm about to lend a county show pony to a disabled lady to do RDA dressage on, its only walk and trot but they seem to get on fine and the pony certainly doesnt seem to be unhappy in anyway!
 
i would go at the pace that suits you but prehaps ask some-one else to canter you pony? that way he will become more balanced and smoother.

also cantering uphill (in a slightly forward seat) can be good.
prehaps try 2 point posision for a while - keep you bum out of the saddle and bounce off tha balls of you feet /down the back of your calves to absorb movement?

maybe focussing on shoulder back, boobs out will help keep you chin up and centre of gravity over his.

neck strap to slip a finger through (or hunter breastplate?)

also dont worry about it!
the more i worry the more i grip with my legs/knees so the more i bounce etc! and when your on 17hh of racehorse going pretty fast bouncing is NOT a good thing!!

is it just on your horse?

although after all that babble my answer to your actual question is no - i dont think your boy will mind not cantering! i should think the less energy he has to use the happier he is!!!
 
Have some lessons on him, an instructor may be able to tell you why your finding it so unbalancing and uncomfortable, it could be something simple like if your not relaxing and tensing up or something.
 
Of course he'll be fine - infact he'll most probably love it. Less work = often a very happy horse!! Dont push yourself til you're ready. x
 
Thanks for all of your advice and support everyone, am going to try out your suggestions
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I really feel like this is something I can conquer after reading all of your comments and that he wont mind working at a slower pace until I work out how to be more balanced whilst he canters
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Of course it's not unfair, and you can always lunge or loose school
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Hope you find a solution to help your balance in the mean time!
 
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