Struggling to canter a circle under saddle

[cheekywelshie]

Hi all,

I've been staying out of the school for a bit to give hiim a break and to get fitness up for our beach trip. I still go in the school to lunge and have no problem getting canter on the lunge on both reins. When I try to canter a large circle in the field I find it hard to do a full one and often breaks into trot on both reins...I wondered if it is my balance or something else. I can keep him going if I ride with reins in one hand but obviously that's not great, so for now just keeping to the perimeter of the field. I recently had issues keeping the canter in the school as well, a few weeks after the colic episode, before that he was fine although I did lunge him no problem. Saddle was refitted about 2 months ago. I did wonder if there was any knee lamenes as he has an enlarged knee which has been like that for over a year but no sign of lameness or pain on lunge under saddle or in field so I just kept an eye on it, I wondered if that might relate to arthritis (he is 22 and doing OK on buteless and still loves to pop small fences). He has a fab extended walk and I can't see any shortening of stride in the trot.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Sounds pain related. Especially at his age.
At his age , if he struggles, I just wouldn't do it

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I think your horse is "telling" you loud and clear that he's struggling to do circles anymore. There will be pain or discomfort somewhere.

At his age I personally would avoid doing work with him that is obviously becoming physically difficult for him. Appreciate you want to keep him fit, but I would advise you to get him checked over by a physio and see what's going on.

 

[View]

He's 22 and telling you that he's hurting. Vet, find out what the issue is, have a frank conversation about what is now the best type and level of work for him and make your plans accordingly.

 

[Ceriann]

I would get vet to take a look. My mare told me she was struggling with school work by not being able to maintain the ridden canter on left rein (fine on lunge). X-rays showed mild hock changes, worse in left. We now only light hack. Mine is only 15. I may inject hocks at some point but she’s comfortable light hacking and on very low levels of bute (half a sachet a day).

 

[Barton Bounty]

At that age I wouldnt be doing too much if you want him to last a few years and not break completely, circles are not easy for older horses, much like ourselves they lose their suppleness

 

[cheekywelshie]

I’m just sticking to straight lines now and hacking but he loves to jump and has no problem with low level jumping there so we do that. It’s interesting with people - going off topic slightly- there are ladies in my yoga class that are retired in their 70s and can do yoga poses and bending that I can’t even imagine doing, I can only sit and watch and marvel.

 

[cheekywelshie]

At that age I wouldnt be doing too much if you want him to last a few years and not break completely, circles are not easy for older horses, much like ourselves they lose their suppleness

Interestingly a few weeks ago in my monthly lesson my instructor thought he was getting more supple. But after the colic episode I stayed out of the school I just go in to do in hand work and lunge over poles. We had our annual beach trip planned but I am concerned about that I think this might be the last one if we go

 

[Barton Bounty]

Interestingly a few weeks ago in my monthly lesson my instructor thought he was getting more supple. But after the colic episode I stayed out of the school I just go in to do in hand work and lunge over poles. We had our annual beach trip planned but I am concerned about that I think this might be the last one if we go

Hopefully not his last one, maybe just try hacking him out for a bit with no school work?

P.s hope you’re well

 

[cheekywelshie]

Hopefully not his last one, maybe just try hacking him out for a bit with no school work?

P.s hope you’re well

We’re ok thanks - I just worry about him! Haven’t been in the school since early august apart from just lunge over poles once which he likes. Just hacking though he hates the muggy weather. I’m just thinking about the travelling to the beach it is in my friends box so better than my trailer but is a few hours. Alss see o slightly concerned she may want to canter everywhere and I don’t obviously! Will see how we go this week

 

[Barton Bounty]

We’re ok thanks - I just worry about him! Haven’t been in the school since early august apart from just lunge over poles once which he likes. Just hacking though he hates the muggy weather. I’m just thinking about the travelling to the beach it is in my friends box so better than my trailer but is a few hours. Alss see o slightly concerned she may want to canter everywhere and I don’t obviously! Will see how we go this week

Canter in my eyes is better than trotting

Id just keep him on the supplements and if he is doing ok then keep riding just don’t incorporate smaller circle

 

[bubsqueaks]

What does your physio say?
If you had to have your saddle refitted 2 months ago could well be back related - our vet who came for a full work out recently said the back generally shows up in the canter - he couldnt find anything but our physio found his pelvis/muscles out & very sore in the lumber region.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If he will canter a circle with your reins in one hand, it does sound as if the issue might be yours rather than his but at 22 I'm not sure that I would bother insisting on something he finds at best, uncomfortable.

 

[Bellalily]

At that age I wouldnt be doing too much if you want him to last a few years and not break completely, circles are not easy for older horses, much like ourselves they lose their suppleness

No one has told my soon to be 22 year old tho. 22 on Thursday with PPID and still bouncing around. It must be wonderful to not know you are getting on a bit. We don’t use the O word as we’re about the same age. Almost daily carrot stretches, lunged twice weekly, ridden in school weekly and once we’ve moved somewhere with no roads, back to hacking once a week. I do listen to him, but his enthusiasm for work and jumping is boundless. Age is but a number.

 

[Barton Bounty]

No one has told my soon to be 22 year old tho. 22 on Thursday with PPID and still bouncing around. It must be wonderful to not know you are getting on a bit. We don’t use the O word as we’re about the same age. Almost daily carrot stretches, lunged twice weekly, ridden in school weekly and once we’ve moved somewhere with no roads, back to hacking once a week. I do listen to him, but his enthusiasm for work and jumping is boundless. Age is but a number.

It can be , I totally agree

 

[JBM]

I stopped lunging my 22yo
I’ll free lunge her in an arena and she does her transitions when asked and jumps and has fun! But lunging is hell on the joints
Have you tried any joint supplements?
It’s likely at his age that he could be getting arthritis

 

[cheekywelshie]

Yep he's on buteless which seemed to be great but not sure it is working anymore although he was hooning about but he's always very economical in everything, will canter for a bit then switch off and go back to walk!