Quarters in at canter?

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

My mare carries her quarters in on a straight line to the right on the right lead and the left on the left lead.
When I try and straighten her she just moves off the leg almost laterally instead of just straightening. I do try and keep the front end straight to counteract this but it doesnt seem to help.

She has had the usual back and saddle checks.

Is there any schooling exercises or has anybody got any ideas to help me with this (It is probably my dodgy riding!)

 

[teddyt]

Anything to engage the hindquarters, such as transitions, lateral work, raised poles, etc. Shallow loops building up to counter canter also helps

 

[mik]

shoulder fore/in cures this. Its very common.

 

[sar1]

Mine does this if he's not forward properly (and sometimes just if he feels like it!). Loads of transitions etc to make sure she's forward and off your leg. Counter canter also worked for my boy.

 

[Bossanova]

Think of bringing the forehand in line with the 1/4s and be very strictly consistant about the straightness- it has to bve straight on the turns as well as the straight lines. Be careful you arent initiating it by being crooked yourself or blocking the inside hindleg

 

[pinktiger]

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shoulder fore/in cures this. Its very common.

[/ QUOTE ]


ditto^^^^

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

Oh thanks everybody, you are all very kind and helpful.
I will try those things and let you know the results!
Thanks again

 

[gemmaweir]

Shoulder in and renvers will be fab for this. Also make sure that the horse is moving forwards enough........
Do a few position checks on yourself as well just to check that you are not sitting crooked and make sure that your inside shoulder is not creeping forwards infront of your outside shoulder and you are not puttng yourself in a travers position as this is what i do!

 

[jenh166]

Yup i echo the above - shoulder in, shallow loops (and if she starts to anticipate, you can ride the first half of the loop i.e. up to the quarter line, then go straight rather than going back to the track - that catches them out sometimes!)

And yes, maybe get yourself checked - i used to ride with one hip lower than the other without even knowing - saw an osteopath/sports massge person who sorted it out for me.

 

[neverlate]

trot shoulder in then pick up canter. think canter shoulder in. my mare does this too. loads of horses do

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

Thanks for that, I think I am sat level hopefully. Had the saddle fitter out today and he said I was level as I mentioned it to him too and her saddles are level as well.
Will try all the ideas people have kindly suggested, definately sounds like a plan!
She can be a bit lazy sometimes and it doesn't help as she is on a diet so isn't as in front of my leg as I would like her sometimes. Her counter canter is awful though

I am quite pleased that it is quite common and it's not just me and my horse!
Again, thanks everybody, most appreciated.

 

[happy_talk]

yes it is common (you'd be surprised how many warming up for a dressage comp will do this uncorrected!) and i think i'm right in saying it's an evasion due to strength.
Mine will do it with increasing degrees of collection, but she has now learnt that inside leg on (from repeated canter shoulder in/fore) will straighten her.