Cantering

[Max]

I'm training my horse Timira right now.I'm not into competition but I still try my best with my mare and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for my horse?You see when she lopes she does more of a crow hop than actually loping.I got her last June and I think that she has been trotting most of her life because it took quite a bit to get her to lope and she would rather trot than do anything else (she has givin me other signs of this but it would take to long to go into).Ive been trying to figure what is causing it for a couple of months.
What do you think?

[alliekk]

Your mare may be in pain, or she may just not know what you are asking. My suggestion, though it may take some time, would be to teach her to properly lunge. Teach her walk, trot, canter, whoa, and reverse. Everything except the canter part shouldn't be too hard to teach her, it's that darn cantering that always gets the goat. After each SUCCESSFUL session of cantering on the lunge line, give her a treat to let her know that that's what you wanted. Once you are teaching her to canter on the line, use a distinctive command, one that you don't use for any other cues. Something like a loud and firm kiss. When she has learned that, hop on board and do your regular workout at the walk and trot. When you feel like you and her are both ready, ask her with that very same command, flex her head slightly to the outside with the outside rein to bring her hind end to the middle and hold a strong and steady heel on her for about ten strides. If she doesn't pick it up within that amount of time, stop her abruptly with a sharp "WHOA" so she knows to pay attention because she didn't do something right and back her up 5 steps. Then repeat this until she does pick it up within that time. Over time, she will learn that it's just easier to do as you say and you will both be happy.
As far as her being in pain, have someone come out to check her out, it could just be that her back is tweaked and needs realigning. Some stretches that really help to relax the muscles are to start with the front legs and bend them to put the fetlock (back of the ankle where the hair grows) up as high as it will go toward the elbow. Then bring it down to a 90 degree angle at the knee and push it inward toward the other knee and hold for 5 seconds. After that, pull the foot forward so that the toe is pointed and the knee is locked and raise it as high as her comfort will allow, make sure her knee stays locked.
For her hind end, pick the foot up and pull the hoof straight up into the flanks (try not to pull it toward you or into her, keep it going UP) and hold for 5 seconds, then relax and pull it forward; a relaxed horse should be able to pull it at least 2 inches passed the back of the front knee. After stretching it forward, pull it back and stretch it backward and hold it until she feels like she takes a sigh of relief.
Hope this novel helps!!!
P.S. I did this to the T and it has worked wonders for my horse!!! have fun and good luck!!!
~ALLIE~

[Casper2002]

Try teaching her to canter out on the trail first. Horses seem to have a harder time cantering in the arena for the first time then on a straight stretch. Dont worry about leads yet just get her to lope when you ask her to then move her to the arena again. Good Luck.

[DixieGirl]

She might maybe off balence if she hasn't cantered a lot in her life.

[Fells_4_ever]

Have your tack checked and see a chiropractor, is she bad on a specific rein or just in general. A lot of the horses i deal with wont do anything cos there off balance on the left rein. have her teeth checked too.

[Haley]

Shouldn't this be posted on the Western board? ;)

[Max]

yeah it should be but it was my first thread and I screwed up but anyway I got the problem with my horse fixed thanks all :D