please help me with youngster

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native eventer

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Right I have a rising 4 year old connemara who I broke in in Sept he was pretty much a saint, 2 weeks in I got a qulaified saddler out to fit a new saddle and it all went wrong!! Got bucked off twice and found saddle was such a bad fit!! Got another saddle and has pretty much been fine. Hes had time off etc over winter, has come back in tried to canter him today and he seriously bronked to get me off and carried on bronking till I had to stop him and he calmed down, got straight back on walked and trotted was an angel.
I think its just the memory of the saddle hurting when we go into canter, but now not sure what to do, should I send him away to a professional?? As I am now stumped for ideas??!!! Please help me. :( am really down about it.
 
native eventer said:
Right I have a rising 4 year old connemara who I broke in in Sept he was pretty much a saint, 2 weeks in I got a qulaified saddler out to fit a new saddle and it all went wrong!! Got bucked off twice and found saddle was such a bad fit!! Got another saddle and has pretty much been fine. Hes had time off etc over winter, has come back in tried to canter him today and he seriously bronked to get me off and carried on bronking till I had to stop him and he calmed down, got straight back on walked and trotted was an angel.
I think its just the memory of the saddle hurting when we go into canter, but now not sure what to do, should I send him away to a professional?? As I am now stumped for ideas??!!! Please help me. :( am really down about it.
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A couple of questions:

1. Did you get saddle checked again after winter - before bringing back into work?

2. How long has he been back in work after 'time off'?

Your horse may have filled out over his break and the saddle is pinching; he may be reacting to 'remembered pain'; or you might have been doing too much too soon. With a bit more info, I could advise better on next step.
 
Sounds like this has unnerved you a bit - maybe you tensed up (understandably) when you asked for canter as well? Don't know what to suggest other than having his back checked for soreness, then maybe asking someone fearless to ride him through this stage? Whatever you decide, all the best with it!
 
Thank you for your comments- His saddle has been re-checked, reflocked about 2 weeks ago to make sure it fits him. he had a month off over xmas then 2 weeks off from riding whilst his saddle was redone recently. Hes not been in loads of work just pottering around!! Yea I probably do tense up tbf I thought he would be fine now after his saddle has been sorted etc, as he was fine on the lunge in canter, obviously my weight!! He was fine for 2 strides in canter but then the saddle obviously shifted slightly!! Thought I might get a physio out too??
 
Have you tried lunging him with just a roller as opposed to the saddle and asking for canter? If so, what, if any, reaction?? Lunging/long-reining may be the way to go for now to re-establish his confidence in the pace/you whilst you get your saddle checked out as he is bound to have changed shape after his winter hols.
 
I have tried lunging long reining in saddle in roller etc absolutely no reaction in canter, I had no saddle for 2 weeks as it was being re-flocked so did lots with roller in canter etc absolutely nothing apart from perfect canter!!
 
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