Show pony wrong canter lead

S

Sirus

Member
Joined
16 March 2009
Messages
14
Visit site
My friend wants me to show her show pony this year as her daughter is too young. Very nice little show pony with nice paces, works in an outline, straightforward etc BUT on the right rein he always strikes off on the wrong lead. He has had his back checked and is fine, tack is fine etc. I have only ridden him once but couldn't get him to strike off correctly. I tried lateral work (which he does fine), decreasing circle in trot before asking for canter, picking up more contact on outside rein, bringing his head to the outside before asking, riding a tight circle, putting more weight in inside stirrup - I even tried the opposite leg aids but nothing worked? I know it will take some working on but has anyone any ideas how to get him doing it under saddle? I usually ride over 17hh horses so not used to 14hh ponies and wonder if there may be an easier way to do it? Thanks :)
 
You sound like you are doing all the right schooling techniques for this and don't know if this is of any help..........but I know you say his back has been checked, but when my horse wouldn't canter on the right leg, it turned out to be a strain at the front of her chest and also a ligament pull down her back right leg - probably due to hoolying about in the field....rest and treatment and she is now fine...(back man probably wouldn't have found these issues)
Has he always done it or is it just recently?
 
They have only has him for 6 months and I believe he has done it since then. The back man we use is very good and would have picked up on something like that but he could maybe get it checked out again. Would feel a bit uncomfortable taking him into a M&M class if he is not sorted but then. I'm at a bit of a loss? :(
 
Sounds like pure and simple habit. Try lots of spiraling 20m circles,in and out to encourage bending(down to 10m). A simple trick for correct canter lead is to put a raised pole on each corner(inside raised up).As you go into the corner,ask for canter over the pole,it ususally does the trick.

Also,lots and lots of lunging. Spiral in on right rein to 10m circle,then push out to 20m cirlcle and as you're pushing out,ask for canter....it gives ponio something else to think about rather than correct canter lead. Hope this helps.
 
My friend asked me for help with her happy hacker because she wanted to show him and do some basic dressage - he would only canter on the left lead. And I mean ONLY! Even on the lunge he just wouldn't strike off on the right, no matter how small the circle, we tried landing him over jumps, but no. So I took things right back to the beginning and for her first 6 weeks of lessons, we worked on walk and trot mostly on the right rein to muscle him up. Eventually, over a jump he did land on the right leg and you wouldn't believe how hard he tried to go back to trot and not have to canter on the right lead. Once he'd done it once though, it was as though his brain realised that actually, he could do it and ironically, he ended up cantering much more in balance on that leg than on his original favourite left leg. There is more to the story than I've given, so pm me if you want to know more.
 
Thanks guys - was supposed to be lungeing him tonight but the truck broke down so they didn't make it.

Was planning to continue with the spiralling circles but I didn't think of the cavaletti's - thanks :) I will try that. ;)

Other than that I will just persevere and work more on the right rein. Thanks everyone :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top