RE: [RC] Horse canters when asked to Trot - Jerry & Susan Milam
I have
a horse that loves to canter, but only until recently, when I had a custom
saddle made for him would he stay in an extended trot. Since he has his
new saddle he loves to stay in a nice smooth extended trot for minutes now
vs.seconds. I'm sure the other saddle was pinching his shoulders as he moved. He
cantered to avoid the pinching.
Susan
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Truman
Prevatt Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2004 8:01 PM To: Ride
Camp Subject: Re: [RC] Horse canters when asked to
Trot
If he/she is avoiding something they will only be
willing to canter on one lead. I've seen horses that didn't like to trot -
because they were born to canter and could do it for 100 miles and not miss a
beat. In fact one of the best horses I've ever had the pleasure to see rocked
along at a 10 to 11 mph rolling canter for 100 miles only stopping at the vet
gate where they were down in 30 seconds. But they did it on both leads.
> [...] > "We left the vet check and I asked
for a trot and he took to the canter. > [...] > Then we trotted out. He was off on the right hind. Not
bad but consistent. > [...]
Ed,
What I have found is if my horse is not
willing to trot freely, but instead picks up a canter when I ask for a
trot, he's probably cramping in the rear. This is, I think, more
common than we think. Could also be caused by a bit of gassy colic or
something.
When on the trail, no matter how fast your horse is
willing to go, I'd suggest periodically making sure he's willing to trot
AND walk freely. If not, there's probably something going
on.
Kathy Myers in Santa Fe, NM
--
"It is necessary to
be noble, and yet take humility as a basis.
It is necessary to be
exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
