Maintaining a balanced, consistent, and controlled canter on the correct lead presents enough challenges. But what if your horse has trouble holding his canter? If your horse starts off fine but repeatedly breaks to the trot, then you need to consider what’s causing the problem before you can fix it. Here are three primary reasons why a horse falls apart at the canter.
Once you’ve considered the reasons behind your horse’s broken canter, you can determine the best strategy to get back in stride. That could mean investing in some training sessions, clinics or lessons for both you and your horse. Or you could need to spend more time in an arena focusing on the basics.
Always keep in mind that a horse has to be taught to canter (or lope) by building on fundamentals. Teach your horse to become supple through his head and neck so he’s soft and flexible in the mouth. School him to move laterally, away from leg pressure. Also, work on collecting and shortening his stride by walking and trotting in large circles before asking him to collect and slow at the canter. With patience and consistency, your horse’s broken canter can be fixed.
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What also could be a problem is the saddle. if the saddle doesn't fit correctly, it makes it uncomfortable for the horse to canter, or do any gait.
I think that occasionally these are the problem but I think usually the horse is just disrespectful and doesnt want to canter. You should try going back and doing more groundwork exercises that get your horses feet moving. After that you just have to practice lots and lots of cantering and doing stuff like the cruising lesson in the Downunder Horsemanship Fundamentals series to get your horse cantering.
Thank you for these tips:)
And, yes, tack and saddle fit is always a nessecity to check, and it also could be lack of correct training that causes this problem.
Thanks!
Thanks for the tips! My horse constantly breaks to the trot, and these may help. I'll be defenatly checking when I ride. :) Although, it could be because she's a tad lazy...
Thanks for the tips!!I will totally use these tips when i ride. My horse always breaks down to a trot.
And then there are some horses that are just out of shape! I can certainly tell if my favorite mount at the stable hasn't been ridden all week because he gets out of breath after just one lap.
Good advice. But I agree with Dalal, your horse also has to be in shape! And not lazy!
Horses are naturally a little lazy, but it's not their fault. They don't (naturally) see the point in wasting their energy all at once. What if they had to run from something later? It's just normal for them to not run if they don't need to.
MAKES SENSE, BASICS