Loosening up canter ?

[HuntingMadImmy]

Currently my horse is very stiff, and in canter he almost feels sticky and struggles to strike off even around corners. I think this is down to not doing a lot, as he has had a bit of a holiday. He feels unbalanced aswell as I try to bring him in to canter. The equine massager has been out, though albeit a bit stiff, I don't understand how he can go from striking off easily, to now struggling or maybe just being stubborn and not wanting to canter? Everything else has been checked, so I presume it's a schooling issue ! Can anyone recommend any schooling ways or things to combat this issue ? I also think he has got rather lazy at home, because even trotting he has become a bit lazy, meaning I have to kick a lot more than before, could this add to the problem ?

Thanks Immy

 

[Cortez]

Checked, how? Previously supple horses don't generally just go stiff all of a sudden unless there is a clinical reason (of which there are many, everything from a sore back to a pulled muscle to tying up, and so on....

 

[Notimetoride]

I do harp on about ulcers, but I have ongoing issues with ulcers with my pony and have been surprised as what I have learnt this past 12 months. Dont forget think outside the box, beyond the usual saddle, teeth, back etc etc. The cause might be something you hadnt even considered. Once youve ruled out absolutely everything physical (and you may have to throw some money at your investigations), then lots of time, patience and effort will improve his schooling. If hes bored, make things more interesting for him.

 

[AFB]

Assuming you've done ALL of the checks, and the holiday was long enough for him to have lost fitness (without an underlying cause), then you need to build up canter work outside of the school. Straight lines and open spaces.

 

[blitznbobs]

Currently my horse is very stiff, and in canter he almost feels sticky and struggles to strike off even around corners. I think this is down to not doing a lot, as he has had a bit of a holiday. He feels unbalanced aswell as I try to bring him in to canter. The equine massager has been out, though albeit a bit stiff, I don't understand how he can go from striking off easily, to now struggling or maybe just being stubborn and not wanting to canter? Everything else has been checked, so I presume it's a schooling issue ! Can anyone recommend any schooling ways or things to combat this issue ? I also think he has got rather lazy at home, because even trotting he has become a bit lazy, meaning I have to kick a lot more than before, could this add to the problem ?

Thanks Immy

This happened with my mare, turned out she'd muscled up so much her saddle was pinching... and it had been checked 8 weeks before - new saddle, new horse!