Teaching a young horse to canter

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Rachel93

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I'm sharing a really lovely 3 y/old new forest gelding who's very sweet, and tries his best. He's been cantered when he was just backed, but only in a small enclosed pen, and that was a good few months ago, then I got him and did a bit of lunge work and so far he's been fab, works on a lovely contact and is just green and a bit wobbly, so cantering, I tried him once and did it towards home (I only have a field to school in) and he was okay, he has got quite a bit canter and it's a bit out of control which is suspected for such a young horse, but often when I've asked him to canter in the traditional way, he just rushes sideways at the feel of my leg, which is strange and he's used my leg being on him when he gets wobbly round a corner, but the other day I asked for canter and he bolted and broncoed me off! I literally flew, and landing on grass bloody hurts!! It was on his bad rein but I was so shocked at such an outburst, it would be different in a school as he hasn't got fat to go, plus it's softer landing! Walk and trot and transitions and pole work he's a star, popped a small jumped put a teeny filler under it didnt even look, but canter has just thrown him, and I really don't want to risk that happening again, as I don't want to have a serious injury, I've always had youngsters but not this green, and I am stuck on what to do, does anyone have any advice? I was personally going to keep schooling him till mid November and once the winter ally kicked in, I was going to give him December till jan/ feb time off to fill out a bit and chill, I'd like to get this resolved before then ideally. Thanks Rachel :)
 
From what you have said it sounds like your pony is still unbalanced and I would almost say not ready for cantering yet.he is probably getting unbalanced and then panicking, hence the bucking and bolting.For a 3yr old I would be pleased with a walk and trot out hacking, then turn away for him to mature physically and mentally.
I backed our 3yr old this summer-this consited of long reining-sitting on him-walk out with another horse-and a little trot out hacking.this took around 2 months.He is now turned away for the winter.
I would not rush him at the moment, take things slow and allow him to mature.
 
I wouldn't be trying to sort it out he is still very young and probably struggling to get other things right, he will forget what he did before when he bucked and you came off so no reason to try to get him over it, you will need to put it behind you also.
If he is happy to pop a small jump that is the ideal opportunity to let him canter, rather than asking in the usual way, if he lands in canter let him carry on for a short while then bring back to trot and praise him, by using the jump it will become easier, there is less pressure and no sense of failure if he just jumps then trots, he has achieved the required jump so all is well.
I often start youngsters this way, it really makes less of an issue of the transition, they are less likely to overreact to the aids and for the rider there is less worry about which leg they are on it is just a case of riding forward and letting the pony find it's balance, new forests love jumping and being busy, they have active minds and are generally fantastic ponies to work with but can be a bit late to mature mentally, give him time to grow up it will be worth it.
 
Thanks for your replies, I do strongly feel he is unbalanced. It was on his bad rein stupidly me asking to much and he did canter on his good rein. I think I got carried away at how grown up he's been so far, and I think I probably did push him a bit. I was planning on giving 3 months off over winter anyways, I don't want to spoil him as he's awesome and will be fab for summer, he has for amazing paces. I've given him a couple of days off and will have a sit on him and wonder round the field and leave it at that, I don't think he'll mind we'll just have cuddles over the winter, he's one of the most affectionate ponies I've known!
 
I also think it's too much too young, sorry. My 4 1/2 year old is only just starting to feel balanced in canter and we are taking it very slowly. As she's my first youngster it was a bit of a surprise to realise how hard canter is for them, especially on a circle. We're doing nice straight canters out hacking now and I think she's enjoying it. Good luck :)
 
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