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Why won't my horse canter?

I have just got a new horse (wide cob), and he is lovely. He does what I ask when in trot, but I am finding it really hard to put him into canter. I don’t like smacking him because every time I have done and he goes into canter, it feels like he is bucking, although I have been told that is just him getting his stride in. Are there any other useful tips, for getting a horse motivated when I want him to canter, obviously lots of leg, and sit in the corner, but any tips I could do with my legs, or reins or something like that, but not so much of the whip. Thanks

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Answer #1

well I would try spurs because it sounds like he is numb to your legs, maybe trying a high energy food to boost his motivation and use the voice like grrr and clickin, with spurs you may think its cruel but you only need to squeeze and not very often x

Answer #2

You don’t say how old he is…he might not have it quite down on how to balance with a rider on top, at a canter. You know if he were truly bucking, so I don’t think that he is…crow hopping maybe (kinda feels like a bump in road when he’s moving), but a buck would certainly send you two feet out of the saddle.

I’d start out with a pair of English spurs, they are nothing more than a little knob on the heel piece…use lightly at first, since it’ll goose him…do it in a round pen, also, so you are contained in a small area.

Also, have you had him Vet checked…he might be experiencing pain when he canters…you never know.

p

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