Someone pleaaase help me with canter!

[ForeverBroke_]

I'm in a pickle!

I've got dressage this weekend where I'm doing P10 and P4. Think its P10 you have to canter across the diagonal and trot when you hit the track.

However, I've been seeing a chiropractor this week and I've managed to fuse my pelvis over the last year and twist it so that its constantly turned to the 'inside,' of what would be the school.

This in turn knocks my poor horse off the circle and when I ask him to canter we end up being on a 5m circle in a matter of strides and I cannot get him back out, no matter how much inside leg/ bend I have.

Having been straightened out a bit, (I've got another session tomorrow) I can feel now that my outside knee is pushing him in also and I think this is the main problem.

So - how can I release it?! No stirrups? Amputation of the leg?

I dont really care if it all goes to pot this weekend at stressage because its more an outing for Darcy, but if I can help it I'd like to give it a good shot!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bowen4Horses]

yes. leg amputation is the answer.

actually, no, scrap that. that would make you wonky... you need to amputate both legs...

how has your pelvis fused? that sounds a bit scary... i presume it's the muscles surrounding your pelvis that have sort of 'locked' rather than bone fusing? in which case, keep seeing your chiro/anyone else who can help (physio?), and try lots of exercises to release it.

how come it only happens in canter? do you grip more with your knees in canter maybe? could you practise releasing your knee? physically lifting it away from the saddle when you feel it start to tense?

hmmm, it's a toughy... all i can suggest really is that you go along and don't worry about your random circles... or you postpone things until you're a bit more fixed. x

p.s. do you think darcy is wonky because you've been wonky? does he looks wonky at all when naked? in which case it might be worth having him seen? xx

 

[aimeetb]

Hi!!

I have the same problem, not quite as bad as you by the sounds but my right hip is always more forward than the left!

I wonder could you try cantering on a straight long side and keep the horse dead straight, no inside bend at all then at the corner use your outside aids like lots of demi-pirhouettes to take the corner/circles? This way you would be using you "problem" to your advantage until you can sort it without making the horse over compensate too much as you would just be keeping him very straight. I appreciate you will most probably lose some marks for lack of flexion/bend but if it mean you complete the correct movement I'd give it a go!

Not sure if it will work, just an idea.

Let us know how you do at the dressage! x

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Ah yes CCP - thats what I meant. All of the little muscles have locked. One side is higher than the other and then twisted to the other side. From a fall I pressume!

It used to be a problem in walk and trot - but since I've been seeing the chiro thats gone so I'm hoping its just a case of one step at a time!

Darce and saddle are booked into be straightened after this weekend

Just trying to think of ways to lessen the issue for the weekend.

Will try all of the above tonight! Thanks