My Norwegian Fjord horse won't canter when I am riding her?

Question

my 4 year old Norwegian Fjord Horse is broke to ride but she won't canter when I am riding her. she wont canter for anyone else either. what can I do to make her canter?

Answer 1

does she canter on the lunge line?  try lunging her and watch her action... see if she looks uncomfortable going either direction.  if you can't tell, get someone with more experience to help you...  if the horse won't pick up the right lead or if it countercanters in back or front or if it constantly switches leads, there could be something seriously bothering her.

If she looks fine on the lunge line, then get someone to help you... you get on and have the other person put your horse on the lunge line.  you ask your horse to canter at the same time your helper asks your horse to canter...  do it repeatedly, and then have your helper cut down on asking and you ask more... do that until your horse will canter off with just your cues.  If you still can't get her to canter, switch with your helper and see if the horse will canter under her.

If you've tried everything and the horse still won't canter, I'd call a vet and a trainer.

Answer 2

Have you ruled out lameness issues? How long have you been riding her? Maybe she isn't balanced enough when you are riding her, and she may feel uncomfortable picking up the canter with a rider... You can work on this by doing flat work at a walk and trot.. do serpentine, practice bending here in both directions and building up her top line,so that she has the muscle to support her canter.

Does she canter on a lunge line? You can work with her lunging too.

I really cant say why she wont canter without seeing her, but that was the first to come to mind.......