Standardbreds + Cantering

[concise]

Okie dokes, so. My horse was a pacer on the track for about two years, where they forebode cantering. Now that he's my little pleasure horse, we need to work on that. I have some idea of where to start...but not much. What we've done so far: Having his land in a canter from a small crossrail jump, or simply asking for the canter in corners, where

Comments

[fishwithfeet]

I would use the corner to ask for the canter and if he didn't pick up, or picked up the incorrect lead we'd slow down, circle back to the corner and I'd ask again. I'd say "can-TER", use the leg aid, but keep him (sort of) collected so he wouldn't just stretch out into a ground pounding trot or pace

[concise]

When I put my leg on him to encourage to keep the canter, he TURBOs his hind legs and takes off into a hand gallop. I barely even squeeze to encourage, because he is so sensitive to leg, but he still takes off.

[fishwithfeet]

Maybe use the hand gallop to your advantage then. Squeeze and release on the reins and sit up to encourage him to slow down. Half halts are your friend. How much contact do you have with his mouth?

[concise]

Steady contact, if I was to have minimal contact...he takes advantage and takes off. We were working on collection about two weeks before we began canter work, and he's a pro. He just becomes really stubborn at the canter with collection.

[whitearab]

I did this with my boy. I tried everything, and still ended up with a "four beat canter" (ie, the two legs that are supposed to come down together came down slightly seperated, so it was more like a gallop or trot movement). You will notice that when they do this they bring down the legs on the same side at the same time, so basically they suppliment the canter beat (where the opposite legs come down at the same time) for the pace beat (where legs on the same side come down at the same time). It's a mental difference between lateral and diagonal thinking and muscle training. STB's are trained to move laterally

[whitearab]

Oh yeah, and I should add that my horse canters like a pro now. :)

[concise]

No panter on his left side, just the right. We've been working on the right exclusively, ending with the left, so he knows he did good. I'll try some canter poles, haha, he usually just launches them instead of cantering over them.

[icarus_abides]

I don't really have anything to add, just wanted to say that I think this is a great idea :)

Definitely something that I will try for my QH as well. Thanks!

[nattie_dino]

omg you have an animal backpack! I collect them! :) I know that sounds odd but i love them so much, i have about ten now :P

[concise]

LOL That's not me... Just a friend of another boarder who loved horses who wanted to come.

[nattie_dino]

haha ok then :P

[harnessphoto]

hi!!! i've worked with standardbreds for seven years now, so i'm hoping i can help you out a bit. i worked with them at the track, and i work at a breeding farm now. in the process i've broken a bunch to saddle, and i have one of my own (in training to be an endurance horse), so i've sort of seen a LOT of ends of the spectrum. hehe

[concise]

I was waiting for you to comment! ;) The inspiration picture isn't working though.

I bought him last august, so... today is actually our eight month monthiversary. We worked on getting his trot, calm and collected and we recently mastered that two months ago. He only raced for two years (hurt himself on that track repeatedly). I'll definitely try your tips! He's a very quick learner, so he should have it soon!

[harnessphoto]

it sounds like you're making fast progress then. i wouldn't worry about it too much. from what you've described, i think you're well on your way. don't expect a pretty canter the first few times. my boy's been cantering for eight months now and i STILL can't get him to flex (or bend correctly for that matter) at it. that and he's AWFUL at balancing himself in the turns, so i feel like he's going to fall on his face. but that sort of finesse only comes with time. i read the suggestion above, with the poles, and i think it may be a good idea. i don't have that option by me, so i hadn't thought of it. the other thing that might encourage a canter is hillwork. horses build more muscle walking up and down hills, but they're eager to RUN because it's easier. if you find a big, steep hill and just let him out, it might just do the trick.

[dressagedreams]

Hey, the only thing I would add to making sure the horse is trimmed correctly and balanced and comfortable in the other gaits would be to make sure he's well muscled and use things like hills and serpintines to keep him fluid and working well. Hill work was the only thing that ever got my guy to canter properly. Good luck, they really are great horses.