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Horse Behavior and Training

Transition from trot to canter

By:

Angela

Date:

2014-Sep-05 at 01:12PM

Hello!
When transitioning from the trot to the canter my horse drops his head and does a twisting movement with it. At first I thought it was excitement, as if he was saying "yay, we're going to canter" but I'm getting frustrated because when he does this movement, it makes me off balance.

I have tried stopping him to immediately correct the behavior and the dropping of the head has gotten better. But now I'm getting nervous to canter in anticipation of his dropping/shaking movement.

I'm considering going back to the two-line lunging to work the trot/canter transition on the ground.

I feel that this is a behavior related because his teeth have been checked and his bit and saddle are the same for the past 3 years.

Anybody else have this issue?

Thank you!

JoHewittVINTA 2014-Sep-05 at 02:22PM

Hi Angela. How old is your horse? I've not had this problem but certainly if it is only occurring when ridden & not when saddle empty it might suggest saddle needs re flocking (stuffed). Also, this could be a habit that started when, for example, horse had slight muscle pull somewhere & the habit remains despite the "problem" having gone. Your idea of more ground work is sound - can never be a bad thing when done right! I would also try the opposite reaction of asking for more rather than stopping him. Sounds as though his mindset might be ' Err. Go/stop - what? ' Perhaps he shakes his head because he can't work out what you're asking for. That would account for the nervous canter - he's unsure what you want. Good luck. Jo

Angela 2014-Sep-05 at 03:32PM

Hi Jo,

Thank you for the advice. My gelding is a 12 yr old quarterhorse. I remember the dropping and twisting of the head really increased when I discovered he had ulcers over the winter. He was treated with gastrogard without success. So, we put him on Succeed and for the past 5 months his overall attitude has improved. It now makes sense that this habit was formed from pain and now he does it as a matter of routine. We'll work on ground work this week with a hopes of a break through to stop the dropping and have a smooth transition from trot to canter. I'll post back to the forum on our progress.
Thank you so much!!

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2014-Sep-05 at 09:54PM

Does he also do this with his saddle on when you are lunging or long lining him? If not then it does sound as if it could be a pain or pressure problem associated with added weight in the saddle. If so I would be getting him checked out - perhaps his ulcers have returned? Even though his saddle has been the same for 3 years they can change shape with the change of season and age so it is possible it could be pinching him.

JoHewittVINTA 2014-Sep-05 at 10:03PM

Angela 2014-Sep-06 at 01:19AM

Thank you Maggie and Jo! I will read the posts and try your ideas. My life and that of our horses was changed when we found the Monty Roberts methods. I know its me missing something that our boy is trying to communicate.

Tiggy, Tears 2014-Sep-06 at 07:42PM

Hi, cam I suggest, after you've eliminated any physical problems, try putting a single pole in the corner and ask for canter over that! Use this with babies sometimes, it might help it might not!

Tiggy, Tears 2014-Sep-08 at 07:33PM

In addition, I was chatting to my instructor while she was riding a friends 4y.o. She said DO NOT let your hands cross to the other side of the horses neck, as it will cause the head to twist!!