Doc has been performing exceptionally well lately, except in one area--the right lead canter. I could really use some fresh perspective and ideas as to how I should address this.
Useful Information
Doc is a 7 year old Saddlebred. He was started at 3, but only as a trail horse, and there wasn't any real training. His owner taught him to stand still for mounting and dismounting, and that was it. Everything else, Doc chose how and when to do it. This includes cantering and which lead he uses. He is most definitely a lefty.
I started his real training last June as a 6 year old. I tried his canter and discovered that the best way to work on it was through walk and trot. He's had lots of opportunity to build muscle in his rear end and has come along very well in the fitness department.
When I first started him, I discovered that he had large muscle knots all over him, but they were mostly centered in his haunches. I assumed this was part of the problem and worked on massaging him after every ride and also coming out specifically for massages. His rear end (and the rest of him) is now much better--soft and supple, able to do the work well.
Within the last few months, I realized that his teeth also were in need of attention. His owner told me that his right wolf tooth had not been extracted because at his last check up it had not erupted. With his bit resistance increasing steadily, I assumed that his teeth were bothering him and gave him a break. That's not to say we stopped working, just that I was more forgiving of his resistance. I tried to ask him in soft ways. I gave up on the right lead canter altogether as it was obviously painful for him to try. His teeth were done on Monday and I'm happy to report that actually, his right wolf tooth was gone, but had been pulled in such a way that it left a bony knob that could be mistaken for a tooth. In the vet's opinion, it was not the source of his discomfort, but the sharp hooks and points were. She fixed them and he seemed much more relaxed.
During last night's lunging session, Doc picked up the right lead canter correctly about 95 percent of the time, without difficulty or hesitation.
His saddle fits well and his back is not sore.
Teeth problems aside, I had also noticed that Doc has taken to crossing his jaw and run through the bit when he's excited about going fast or jumping. While I could get him under control, it was with great effort from us both and with (in my opinion) excessive drilling of the exercise. I decided that while he has been going very well in his double jointed eggbutt snaffle, that perhaps for jumping he needed something different. I tried a pelhem bit with a mullen mouth last night...people, it was like going home. That horse was so relaxed and happy in that bit. Just as soft as could be. I don't just mean that things were easier for me, he genuinely *liked* the bit. (no, I didn't lunge him in the pelhem. He wore his snaffle for that.)
Exhibit A:
Do you see how relaxed he is at the poll in this picture? And soft through the rest of his body? That was Doc, last night in the pelhem, right from the get go. Everything came much easier for him. Except for that darned right lead canter.
Ways I have tried to solve the problem
1. Building up his muscle in the trot and walk and with lots of transitions and figures.
2. Really asking him to overbend to the inside when going right and pushing his haunches and rib cage out.
3. Really asking him to step under himself with his inside (right) hind, at time practically moving into a shoulder in on the circle.
4. Asking from a walk.
5. Turning his nose out a bit, basically asking him to "fall" into the correct lead.
6. Looking over my outside shoulder to ensure that I'm not in the way.
7. Lunging him, both from the ground and with me in the saddle.
8. Going over a small jump. This actually has some success. He's fairly consistent about picking up the correct lead going over jumps, but it doesn't translate to flat work. Consequently, Doc often will pick up the incorrect lead when going right, take about three strides, and then perform a beautiful flying lead change (that I didn't ask for) and switch to the correct lead. ???
I have tried just about everything I can think of. Short of sticking with the jump thing, I don't know what else to do. I need some fresh perspective on this one. I know I could use a lesson, but finding a suitable training around here is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. I have inquiries out right now, but it may be a month or two before I can attend a lesson with anyone. In the mean time, what suggestions can you all offer me?