Oaksflight
Well-Known Member
Horse has a very odd canter, not unbalanced, but not very rhythmic and quite 'stuffy'. Anyone know of any good schooling exercises to help other than polework and leg yielding to canter? x
'Stuffy' canter - schooling ideas?
- Thread starter Oaksflight
- Start date
dianchi
Well-Known Member
is it just in the school??? Have you tried going out hacking and schooling canter work in a nice big open field?
As for schooling exercises ride a 10m circle in each corner then really push on down the long side, they soon learn to push on and also to come back.
As for schooling exercises ride a 10m circle in each corner then really push on down the long side, they soon learn to push on and also to come back.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
If it is stuffy in the canter, I'd try going in a field/track and alternating between canter speeds - three quarter speed, gallop, etc.
In the school, push him or her on down the long sides and collect him at the ends.
Leg yields and shoulder in should help as should turn on the haunches.
S
In the school, push him or her on down the long sides and collect him at the ends.
Leg yields and shoulder in should help as should turn on the haunches.
S
Oaksflight
Well-Known Member
It's in a field as well, however not really on gallops, I think it's mainly when on a bend though. Have already been doing extension on long sides and collection round the corners, shall persist with that and try your other ideas, thanks
viola
Well-Known Member
I would take him on the lunge and observe where the exact problem is. Is it just one rein (one hindleg being lazy), is the canter four beat, how much is the horse on his forehand etc. Once you know visually what the problem is it would be easier to plan suitable exercises.
You say that it is not a balance issue but the fact it happens more in turs would indicate that it is a balance problem.
If it is plain laziness you could try to work on responsivness off the leg and concentrate on your body position; ride every step of the canter as if it was a canter-strike off and concentrate on impulsion.
You say that it is not a balance issue but the fact it happens more in turs would indicate that it is a balance problem.
If it is plain laziness you could try to work on responsivness off the leg and concentrate on your body position; ride every step of the canter as if it was a canter-strike off and concentrate on impulsion.
Oaksflight
Well-Known Member
Very true, but I wonder whether it's because the school is 20x40 so he doesn't open up his paces and 'let himself go'. He's very uphill in canter, however I think lazyness does play a part, since he's a lot better when out on hacks, etc, as he's suddenly got a lot more energy. Thankyou, shall give it a go
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Do you jump him? Might help to do some gridwork to open up his canter and also give him some excitement!