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Discussion on Stopping Short at the Canter
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Member:
njen
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Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2011 - 2:42 pm:
My horse seems to have come up with a new bad habit. At the canter, he will stop short and dump his rider. He's dumped two of us now, and my friend is a much better rider than me. He gives no warning and does some sort of thing where you can't stay on. He stops, puts his head way up, maybe backs up, we're not really sure because it happens so fast. He's not scared of anything so I think he's being naughty. Afterwards he just stands quietly (maybe he's proud of himself!) How do we address this behavior?
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New Member:
sherylkn
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Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2011 - 3:18 pm:
Oh boy. I would start with having your vet come out and check him over to make certain he is not hurting anywhere. Check the saddle fit and saddle pad condition. Make really certain he is infront of your leg at walk and trot before cantering too. That's a new one. Will look forward to hearing how this one is resolved.
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2011 - 4:44 pm:
I don't think horses know how to be "naughty" mischievous yes, but it sounds like either a pain issue and/or training issue.
Does he canter fine on a lunge line or at liberty in a round pen? With the saddle on vs off without a rider?
Check all your tack over carefully.
Gently touch his back while keeping contact as you slowly move your hand along the muscles beside his spine. Watch his eyes, and breathing. Blinking, heavy breathing will tell you there is pain in that area.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2011 - 7:03 pm:
Hello Jennifer,
First you need to establish the nature of the behavior: is this truly a learned (mis)behavior or is this a response to a painful. Some of the clues are the age of the horse, history of how this developed, and the results of a good lameness exam including evaluation under saddle. If it is true this is learned behavior I would go back to the training point where this is not happening and then move forward more slowly.
DrO
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