behind the bit

[yarna]

my mare doesnt seem to want to go forward in canter if you put your leg on she just backs of it,ive tried giving her a loose rein and pushing her but she is still reluctent.took her to the beach to see if she would go forward but no,anybody got any ideas

[bexj]

Have you had her back, tack and teeth checked for starters?

[cvb]

what is the trot like before the canter ? what is she like generally in terms of accepting the aids and going off the leg ? is this the same once you are in canter ? it gets better ? it gets worse ? is it the same on both reins ?

[helenhorse]

it seems like shes afraid of something, try changing her bit to a much kinder bit like a happy mouth eggbut snaffle or a copper snaffle.
have you ckecked that your saddle is not giving any pressure points??
have you checked your position and aids when your asking for a transition/movement??
just a few questions to think a bout!x
hope i cud help xxx

[Bay Mare]

If she's not even going for it on the beach I'd definitely check the physical stuff and the saddle, bridle and bit.

How are you asking for canter? Have you tried doing walk to canter as some horses find this easier.

[yarna]

shes had her back checked that was fine ,we have just had a new dressage saddle fitted ideal jessica and i have her in a sprenger kk with the rubber lozenge in the middle,she does back of in trot aswell but worse in canter,i had my instructer ride her today and she found the same problem ,but shes not very forward on the lunge either.

[cvb]

could it be a hock issue ?

[Jane.A]

Beat me to it, CVB, either that or a foot issue, friend's horse stopped going forwards long before he showed other signs of developing laminitis.