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Post by tonicsmum on Feb 29, 2012 23:03:59 GMT -1
Hi, I am new to Dales and currently borrow one that I plan to buy as soon as his owner is ready to sell. We have lessons together-he is nearly 6yo and has been ridden for about 18months. He's only had about 3 lessons with me. We are struggling to get a canter strike off-worse on the right rein and he is definately stiffer on that side. Obviously we are trying various suppling excercises and spiraling and so on. he has had his back checked just in case and that is fine. I am aware that dales were bred mainly for their trot initially and wonder if this is a typical dales problem or whether he just hasnt got the hang of it yet! Any info or advice would be welcome.  |
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Post by valerie n scout on Mar 1, 2012 6:06:28 GMT -1
my old Dales was never too keen on cantering tho he was broken to drive...am sure one of the girls will be along soon with some help X yoohoo by the way X
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Post by SuzieP on Mar 1, 2012 7:19:00 GMT -1
Please could you clarify a bit? Do you mean you're struggling to get the correct canter lead, or are you just struggling to get canter full-stop?
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Post by harleydales on Mar 1, 2012 12:11:53 GMT -1
Harley struggled to get canter until he was 8 on either leg! He found it easier to go into canter if I lifted out of the saddle and leant slightly forward.
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Post by jaycee on Mar 1, 2012 18:10:14 GMT -1
I can identify with this problem. I really struggle to get Jaycee to canter in the school. More experienced riders manage it though but I have been told he can be hard work! I don't really mind too much though as I feel 'safe' on a pony who isn't too whizzy ;D
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Mar 1, 2012 19:26:42 GMT -1
I think we've all been thru this - Dales are more natural 'Trotters' than canters
Usual things apply, keep rythm steady, don't let him just trot faster. Pole across the corner can help with correct strike off. Keep your head up and Smile ;D
other advice will come soon......
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Post by Fi on Mar 1, 2012 21:18:27 GMT -1
I'm just reading Omar Rabia's book, Cobs Can, at the moment. He suggests doing quite a bit of canter out hacking first so as to get it established before bringing it into the school, as cobs are more natural trotters. Not sure if that helps, tho??
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Post by harveydales on Mar 2, 2012 6:27:47 GMT -1
6 is still very young for a Dales and I don't think it is unusual to have canter problems at that early stage. They develop slower than many other breeds and, as others have said, physically they are not built for canter as they are so heavy on the shoulder. Lots of our Dales Ponies are like yours and starting canter out hacking is often the way to go. Do you hack much? When we first got Dolly, Ali hacked her lots and lots and introduced canter that way when she was feeling more forward. Harvey also used to be very hard to canter in the school but now I just have to whisper canter to him and he is off. I seem to remember in the early days it did help to "get off his back" when asking for canter. Having trouble with one particular lead is also quite normal. All horses are one sided to some degree, just like we are. Rather than worry about the strike of lead, I would spend time on suppling exersises in the school in walk and trot and even halt. Basically, don't worry. It will come. Just enjoy your pony. |
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Post by AliandDolly on Mar 2, 2012 17:56:21 GMT -1
I had a long hard struggle trying to get canter! when we first got Dolly she would trot like crazy in a stubble field rather than canter, it came in time and we still dont always get it straight away, It is a typoical dales thing xxx
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Post by tonicsmum on Mar 5, 2012 15:43:34 GMT -1
Hi, Sorry I've been a bit slow replying. Thank you all so much for the feedback. It sounds like he is just a normal Dales! Funnily umy instructor did the pole across the corner of the school this week! It's canter generally that he is struggling with altho he does tend to strike off on the wrong lead on the right rein. Unfortunaltely at the mo I dont get much time to hack him out(still have my two old boys coming in at night so lots of mucking out in the mornings!) Other people do take him out so he dosnt just get to do schooling-bless him! I fetched him in for a nice groom the other day-I dont want him to only associate me with hard work. He does canter when he is out altho a lack of fitness means it isnt for very long. Once I start taking him out more regularly I intend to give a verbal command when we canter as well as the other aids so hopefully he will start to associate the word with the action. He is young-he will learn!! Thanks again-I feel much happier now. Oh and I've just bought "Cobs can" from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it and sharing all the info from the forum with my instructor who loves my boy-even tho he is more used to warmbloods!!
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Post by cassey1988 on Apr 6, 2012 5:50:23 GMT -1
When I got Cassey when she was nearly 12, she hadn't really learned to ride properly. I used to rush her into a gallop, and then rewarded her for listening to my instruction. I just let her find her own comfortable pace, which was off course way to fast. From there I slowly got her back to a nice canter, taking it a step at a time because everytime she lost her balance she also seemed to lose confidence. Within a short time, she would just flow into a nice canter. On the left it took longer, cause that's her bad side. Took her a long time to find her balance there. At our best, we would canter slowly, cross the riding pen on the short side, go from canter to walk, and then instantly canter again and switch lead as well. She always tried her best and made me proud lots of times!
If I were to give you any advice, it would be to let him getting used to cantering in his own pace first, let him get comfortable doing that. He will then be relaxed and easier for you to mold, if you understand what I mean.
I wish you lots of luck, but the most important thing is that you two have fun together!
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Post by tonicsmum on Apr 11, 2012 19:25:17 GMT -1
Update!! I had a good schooling session this morning as my instructor had to cancel. I suspect I was more relaxed nt being under scrutiny! Anyway Digger seems to be starting to get the hang of things. We did a lot of transition changes from wlak to trot to halt and also had a couple of trotting poles on a roughly 20m circle. As he was doing so well and was listening I just put in a request for canter and he went almost straight away-we didnt go far but I was really chuffed. That was on his good left side. So I tried on his stiffer right and also got a few strides-MIGHT have been on the wrong leg-I was so surprised he did it I was still telling him what a clever boy he was when he went back to trot!! He is doing better out hacking as well. His other Mum said he went like s**t off a shovel when she rode him the other day! I can live without that!!! So all in all we are making progress and I'm really pleased with him.
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Post by harveydales on Apr 11, 2012 19:28:29 GMT -1
That's excellent news. Well done.  |
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Post by Fi on Apr 11, 2012 19:33:47 GMT -1
that's excellent news, sounds like it's starting to come together. Good that he's learning so quickly.
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Post by cassey1988 on Apr 12, 2012 5:17:14 GMT -1
That's certainly a big step forward! Keep up the good work!
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