Problems with canter - ears flat back, reluctant

[deoni]

I have asked this before, but I have given her time off and just about to bring her back into work.

Basically, in the school if she anticipates I want her to canter, or ask her her ears go flat back (she used turn her head like a girthy horse would) and she takes a while to go into canter, especially on one rein. But if there is a jump up she won't trot to it and canters out of choice then and the first few times I took her in the school all she did was take off in canter, but after being made to trot the next few times, she suddenly reverted back to the canter issues. She is only 5 so seems to be getting better as she used to change legs but this stopped and has only recently been going in the school one a week for a lesson, so I did wonder if it was a balance issue as she seems to be slightly better. I did try her on the lunge, she didnt put her ears back but on the bad rein was a lot harder to get to canter then she shot into it suddenly but I had no lunge whip so she was freely doing it. Also on hacks if we are going for a trot in a canter spot, she will take off in canter again was unsure if this ruled anything out? She is also fine to walk and trot and is usually fine to tack up. Though she hates me touching her rug to adjust it?

She has done this since i got her early last year, but have had a physio, chiro, new saddle from fitter and teeth done - nothing helped. The last thing is the vet but waiting until i have transport again (soon!) but for now she is off work. Planning to bring her back into work in the next few weeks, but wary of her being the same so looking for suggestions

 

[Izzwizz]

If everything such as physio, tack, teeth etc are checked and found to be ok then I would get the Vet to check her out before you start. Some of the things you are talking about sound a little like symptoms of kissing spines. Perhaps mention this to the Vet so he/she can rule it out.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If all the checks have been done, I'd get a recommended instructor to watch what happens when you ride her.

 

[deoni]

If all the checks have been done, I'd get a recommended instructor to watch what happens when you ride her.

I had lessons on her everyweek and they rode her, she did the same with them and they didnt know why either.

 

[JoClark]

Id say she needs schooling for balance, a lot of circles, poles etc. My horse is 7 now but when I got him he couldn't even trot in a straight line and one rein he would rush into canter. Put a jump in front of him and you would canter/gallop to it. I have a very good instructor and we have worked from last march on his balance, now its pretty good. We have him working from behind and up hill, in downward transitions he will drop onto the forehand but we are now working on that. He also listens to you when jumping instead of rushing it.

It could also be part balance and part I know what im doing, anticipating what she has to do and doing it, again this is schooling and making her listen to you for directions.

My friends horse not to long ago just started bucking in trot and she checked everything, was fine on the lunge and in the end our instructor got on, sat the bucks and she realised she couldn't get away with it and is now going very nicely. Sometimes they are just taking the piss but again it comes back to training and starting from basics again.

 

[deoni]

Id say she needs schooling for balance, a lot of circles, poles etc. My horse is 7 now but when I got him he couldn't even trot in a straight line and one rein he would rush into canter. Put a jump in front of him and you would canter/gallop to it. I have a very good instructor and we have worked from last march on his balance, now its pretty good. We have him working from behind and up hill, in downward transitions he will drop onto the forehand but we are now working on that. He also listens to you when jumping instead of rushing it.

It could also be part balance and part I know what im doing, anticipating what she has to do and doing it, again this is schooling and making her listen to you for directions.

My friends horse not to long ago just started bucking in trot and she checked everything, was fine on the lunge and in the end our instructor got on, sat the bucks and she realised she couldn't get away with it and is now going very nicely. Sometimes they are just taking the piss but again it comes back to training and starting from basics again.

Thank you, I have been thinking balance as she has been getting better and better in the school. I think before I ride her again, I'll lunge her in the school and if still not right I'll get the vet.

 

[leflynn]

Id say she needs schooling for balance, a lot of circles, poles etc. My horse is 7 now but when I got him he couldn't even trot in a straight line and one rein he would rush into canter. Put a jump in front of him and you would canter/gallop to it. I have a very good instructor and we have worked from last march on his balance, now its pretty good. We have him working from behind and up hill, in downward transitions he will drop onto the forehand but we are now working on that. He also listens to you when jumping instead of rushing it.

It could also be part balance and part I know what im doing, anticipating what she has to do and doing it, again this is schooling and making her listen to you for directions.

My friends horse not to long ago just started bucking in trot and she checked everything, was fine on the lunge and in the end our instructor got on, sat the bucks and she realised she couldn't get away with it and is now going very nicely. Sometimes they are just taking the piss but again it comes back to training and starting from basics again.

I had similar problems with my 5/6yo, he anticpiated canter and got stressed about it, ears back etc. I worked more on the other paces ridden till his fitness and balance had improved and he was much better and happier to canter

 

[deoni]

I had similar problems with my 5/6yo, he anticpiated canter and got stressed about it, ears back etc. I worked more on the other paces ridden till his fitness and balance had improved and he was much better and happier to canter

Thank you, I am hoping it is just balance with her taking off in canter with me out hacking etc and her ad said she wasn't schooled. she had being doing a lot at a young age so my instructor thought it could be that, though ive just mainly hacked out with her since i got her, so she's had a lot of time off.