Why doesn't my horse trot?

Question

When I first got him, when he was six, he refused to canter, and would trot really fast before finally breaking into a canter if you kicked him enough. A couple years later, when I was mostly trail riding, I noticed that he was doing a funny gait. Since I don't know his breed I assumed he was gaited. It stopped for awhile, but now that I have been working him in dressage I notice that his "gait" is really a mix of trot and canter, and it usually happens when he's excited.

At the beginning of our rides he trots fine, but after our first canter transition he finds it more and more difficult to stay at a trot. At every corner, where I used to ask for a canter (I no longer do this because of his anticipation), he breaks into a canter. Do you think this is a medical issue, or a behavioral one? If it's the latter, do you have any tips to alleviate this problem? On the days this doesn't come up he actually performs quite well and I would like to eventually show him, if possible.

Answer 1

Guess he was never trained to run really. Try to get him out of that habit by working with him alot more in a roundpen and out.

Answer 2

okay.. first of all yes.. its not a bad idea to see a vet.. but also be very spesific with your cues... let him no what means what. praise him every time he does the trot/canter how you want it.. when he bucks at the canter.. you emediatly stop back him up and do 5 circles. after that put him right back at a canter.keep the reins tight ) but not too tight) when you trot.. dont let him break out in that canter.. if he does.. stop back up.. circles.. ask to trot again. same thing for canter.. it might take awhile.. but it shudl do the trick

Answer 3

At a guess, without actually seeing or working with this horse, he sounds to be in pain. Does he hollow his back and/or raise his head? If so that's usually a sure sign of back pain.

Bucking when asked for a specific gait is usually the result of something causing pain. So yes, I'd say it is probably medical but sounds like it's leading into a behavorial problem just from his being resistant to the pain and/or discomfort. The bucking issue should resolve itself when the discomfort leaves.

After riding him run two fingers firmly down his back, from withers past the loins, if he flinches at all his back is sore.

First off I'd have him seen by a vet to remove the worry of any lameness issues. If the vet can't find anything wrong I'd move on to an Equine chiropractor. If they have sprung ribs or a vertabrae out of alignment it can result in problems like you describe with him as well.

Also check into the fit of your saddle, if it doesn't properly fit him it can cause severe pain in his shoulders or back, though shoulder pain usually shows up on the front end as 'phantom lameness" ie there then gone for no reason.

If all that checks out it could be as simple as never learning how to carry himself properly and developing the correct muscleing to carry himself correctly without causeing stress or discomfort. If that is the problem you need to get a good trainer in there to work with you working him from the ground. Once he learns to carry himself correctly without a rider and builds the proper muscles to do so you can then resume working him from the saddle being sure to keep him in proper frame.

One thing you do not need to do, is move to a harsher bit. That is only going to escalate your problems and teach him to resent you. Very, very rarely does a horse need a harsher bit just more training or better understanding.

Answer 4

When he was younger, he most likely didn't canter because he didn't have the back or leg strength to. To 'kick' him was the wrong thing to do.

Anyways, he can now just be excited and want to canter. This may result in him trotting in the front, or cantering in the back, or vice-versa.

I would get him checked thoroughly by a Vet, and if he passes, start working on his training.

I would get an experienced Dressage trainer to help you. I would work on just walking and trotting until he becomes better at dressage, and learns to listen to you more. After, you may be able to canter correctly.

Answer 5

Well, I know lazy horses are prone to doing a 'cantrot' where the front feet canter and the back feet trot. So if that's the case, a bit of training will do the trick.

Otherwise it sound like the classic behaviour of a standardbred!!

Answer 6

it sounds like your horse has a behavioral issue. he just gets excited. it's like a barrel horse or a speed event horse. their fine until they start running and once they do it's hard to get them calmed down. i have a horse like this. LOTS OF TRANSITIONS.  if you have an arena or a large flat surface to work him it would help. ask him to canter and do a few circles. now ask him to walk. miss trot for now and make sure he understands that when you ask him to stop cantering it means when you say. if he starts canter/jogging, make him stop and back like 5-7 steps and then ask for a whoa. he doesn't move till you say. if he takes a step forward, he backs again. now once he has this, now i would do transitions like: walk, canter, walk, trot, walk canter, trot, .... and so on, but if he ever doesn't do the gate you want, he stops and backs. he'll learn to wait for you and not run on his schedule. since your in dressage, you should understand what i say next. some people don't. when you work him at a long posting trot, you can control his stride with the speed of your posting and how much pressure you apply with your thighs. work on transitions using your seat and legs, by doing half halts. stop going with the motion to slow him down and make transitions from canter to a trot. don't use your hands as much as you use your body. two tracking will make him slow his pace and have to use his body, so he shouldn't get as excited. hope this helps, it's kinda brief.

Answer 7

he could need a bigger bit that helps you control him better hes probably needed for a more exitable like barrel racing.

Answer 8

I dont want to bash, but Amandas solution is the wrong answer. A harsher bit is never the right solution, a more comfortable one may be, but a harsher bit only hurts your horse into behaving, and in the long run will give him a hard mouth. Also, doing barrel racing with him would only make him more excitable and wanting to run even more. I have an Anglo-arab that did the same thing when i got her, it took months and months of "slow work". The first day I worked her, I let her break into the canter when ever she wanted, and I wouldnt let her out of it. She constantly tried to slow down when she started getting tired and I wouldnt let her. After she was worked pretty good, I released my legs and sat deep in the saddle and she came to a stop instantly. I asked her for the trot and she did the sowest trot Ive ever ridden. I went two laps and then rewarded her HEAVILY. then i cooled her out thoroughly and put her away. I worked her every day for about 3 months after that, and whenever she got realy excitable Id stop her and back her up and ask her again, if she tried to break into canter I would make her keep cantering.  Dont stop cantering just because your horse wants to, let him get it out of his system, and he'll relize in time that it is easier to save his energy for when you want him to canter. hope this helps!!!!