Odd question I know - about trot to canter transition

[cariadssogreat]

Very odd question I know- but it would really help me if anyone had ideas as to why a horse would struggle with this transition under saddle but not on the lunge with out tack. Odd question I know - but any ideas would help. She just runs on and on and on and then only breaks into canter for a few strides and then back to trot. Admittedly there are a number of options in my head but I would just appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Tierra]

1) Saddle?
2) Rider

 

[cariadssogreat]

This is on the lunge BTW - no rider involved - and saddle has been checked.

 

[mickey]

Probably the horse is finding it hard to balance and take weight on hindquarters, leading to the running trot and haphazard canter. The added weight of the rider is making things more difficult for her. Check that you are truly sitting straight on both your seatbones because if more of your weight is on one side than the other this will not be helping. Suggest getting a good steady trot (use half halts) so horse is balanced on back end before asking for canter.

Your saddle might be pinching/causing issues have you had it checked?

 

[cariadssogreat]

Thank you mickey, it shouldn't really be balance but there is deffinately some reluctance. Its a new horse to the yard so it may smooth its self out in the fullness of time.

 

[Tierra]

Hmmm first you said it struggled with a trot -> transition "under saddle but not on the lunge" but then you replied saying "this is on the lunge no rider involved"

Im confused - is the horse struggling with the transition on the lunge or with the rider?

If its fine on the lunge, then you've got to consider what is being added when the horse is sat on; a saddle and a rider (constituting rider weight and error). I'd be sceptical primarily about the saddle pinching and restricting the movement. I'd also be looking at back problems incase these are only being aggravated by rider weight. If both those are ruled out, you've got to consider that its rider error or a schooling issue.

Anyway, good luck solving it!

 

[cariadssogreat]

Thanks Tierra, sorry if it was confusing, she has only yet been lunged, with and without tack. No rider involved yet,

 

[hayter]

Hi, have you tried with a roller? How old is the horse? Broken or unbroken? Do you use side reins? Sorry about all the questions just trying to understand the whole picture.

 

[TarrSteps]

So she canters well without tack but not wearing it? Is that right?

So it's the tack, obviously. Couple of options:

- The saddle doesn't fit. Even without the weight of a rider an illfitting saddle can impede back/shoulder action and change the horse's movement.

- The horse is nervous about the saddle banging and flapping. Have you tried with the stirrups off and a roller over to limit that? Could also be that she's anxious about the girth, as it's possible for a horse to trot with tension in its diaphragm but very difficult to canter. If this is the case you just have to practice little and often until she feels more comfortable. Some people might free longe with the tack on but I wouldn't unless you have a very contained, controlled area - I've seen some scary wrecks from tacked up horses turned loose in arenas.