Problems with canter

[*Hannah*]

Hi I have had my pony about a month now he is 12 hands 16 years and will not canter. I know its not a medical problem as he canters in his field but when i ride him he refuses. I ask for canter and he either runs of in trot or just stops! I am worried i am too big for him and so this is why he refuses. I am 5 foot 2 and weigh about 8 1/2 stone. He seems fit and doesn't get tired when we do trotting work but this canter problem has concerned me that i am too big. He is a very stocky welsh. Any help or suggestions?!!

[Megpeg]

Just because he canters in his field doesn't mean the problem isn't medical.
It could be that his saddle is causing problems or that his back causes discomfort once it has pressure put on it.
Get his general health, back, tack, teeth and feet checked before you do anything else. :)

It doesn't sound like you're too heavy for him, but your height could be causing you to ride in an unbalanced fashion. Don't panic - if this is the case, it can be sorted quite easily :) .
Even with your height aside, I'd put money on this problem being down to the clarity of your aids mixed with your pony taking the mickey (out of boredom, laziness or genuine confusion).
Your aids not being clear enough could be down to a variety of reasons (being off-balance is one of them, but there are many others too). ;)

I'd ask a friend to ride him and see how he responds. It'll allow you to see how much of this problem is down to you (and thus, will point you in the right direction to go about fixing it ;) ).
I'd also take him out on a hack and see if he canters happily out of the school (many do).
Ride him (in and out of the school) with other ponies and see if he's happier (but don't make a habit of allowing him to follow for obvious reasons!).
Spice schooling up for him. Keep his mind busy and alert with lots of transitions, changes of rein, circles, serpentines etc.
I'd also suggest you booka lesson. Without seeing you it's impossible to say where you'regoing wrong as far as aids go. Are you preparing for canter correctly? Are you losing your position? Are you flapping about in an attempt to ask for canter? An RI will be ableto pin point what's going on and help you to correct it.

It's possible that he's never been schooled properly (in which case you'll need to go back to basics - whether that be re-breaking, re-schooling or just tweaking (I would hazard a guess that the latter is most likely in this case :) ).

Best of luck
xxx

[Vicki&Milo]

If you rule out any back problems, tack problems etc. try getting someone else to ride him. Not that I'm saying you're the problem but it will help you see how he goes and maybe answer the problems.
Also my horse used to just run on, unless I carried a stick. I never used it, but for some reason he cantered beautifully if it was in my hand.
Vicki xx

[caj]

was your pony driven by his previous owners as driving ponies will often need reschooling as the have often been taught not to canter unless scurry pony just a thought

[julia gulia]

Do you know his history???? What aids are you using to ask for canter???? How was he trained to give canter????
I would agree that just because he canters in the field doesn't mean he doesn't have any medical problems!!!!
I ride English but was asked to ride some Western broke horses. When I gave the cues for canter????? nothing, no response at all!!!!! I was told that the horses had been taught to canter when kissed to!!!!!! Which led to more questions....How do they know which lead to pick up????? Moral of story????? Who knows what cues your pony has been taught? Where did he come from? Have you spoken to these people about his training?
Why don't you try getting your own energy up and really going for it and asking for the canter? If this doesn't work then you really need to rule out tack fit, back problems etc. etc.
Please let us know how everything works out!:)
p.s. Have his teeth checked by someone who is qualified in this field I know from personal experience that a problem in the mouth can cause all sorts of strange things to happen!

[*Hannah*]

Thank you for all the advice!!!
I have booked the vet and the dentist to come and look at him. I contacted his previous owner and she has never driven him but never used to really canter him either. She said that he is probably being naughty but it doesn't seem to be that to me. When i ask for canter (in the school) I sit deep in the corner and touch him slightly behind the girth with my leg. This is the point when he either stops dead or runs off in trot. I tried just applying pressure with my inside leg in its normal postion but it made no difference. I did try carrying a whip but he is whip shy and so he was too busy being scared to pay attention! i cantered him out on a hack (asked for trot and he went into a canter so not sure what the aid was that made him do it) but he is so strong, tried to gallop off, not sure if it was excitement or fear. If the vet and dentist give the all clear i think i will go back to basics and try lunging and teaching the aids to him again. He is very green, i think it is just going to take some time! I am not to worried though because we have lots of fun and is very good at everything else! :o

[bspa05]

It sounds like he does not underdtand th aids for canter, or if he does he is finding it hard to do.

I would suggest lunging him and see how he repsonds to you asking him to canter from a nice relaxed trot. If he rushes off, then he simply doesn't understand what you want from him. You must make sure you get a nice balanced relaxed trot before you ask for canter, this will make it easier for him.

Once he is able to canter on the lunge, balanced, and without rushing, then I would proceed to asking him for canter whilst riding. Again, until you are able to trot relaxed and in balance, then he will not be able to offer the same in canter. Do lots of work in walk and trot suppling him up and getting your transitions sharp. Do not worry about the canter in the school yet, it will come when he is ready.