Why Does My Horse
Toss Her Head When I Ask For Canter?
Here's why, and how to stop it
A reader asks, Whenever I ask my horse to canter, he shoves his face forward and yanks me out of the saddle. What should I do?
I’ve seen this problem in dozens of times. The riders inevitably thinks there is something wrong with the horse. But it usually turns out that there is something wrong with the rider’s hands.
A horse needs to use his head to balance in walk and canter. Riders who have unstable seats often try to stay in the saddle by holding the reins firmly and balancing themselves on the horse’s mouth. That means the horse can’t stretch her neck forward when she needs to in each canter stride.
I’ve seen this problem in dozens of times. The riders inevitably thinks there is something wrong with the horse. But it usually turns out that there is something wrong with the rider’s hands.
A horse needs to use his head to balance in walk and canter. Riders who have unstable seats often try to stay in the saddle by holding the reins firmly and balancing themselves on the horse’s mouth. That means the horse can’t stretch her neck forward when she needs to in each canter stride.
Some horses (particularly those with strong personalities and a keen sense of self-preservation) will try to circumvent this problem by firmly yanking on the rider’s hands when the rider asks for canter. That solves the problem, as far as the horse is concerned. The rider is pulled forward because their seat is so unstable, and the rider’s vice-like grip on the reins is broken so the horse can finally move his neck freely.
To fix this problem, the rider needs to work on developing a secure seat and an elastic, stretchy feel on the reins. When you ask for walk or canter, try to maintain that stretchy rein contact, which means that your hands must move forward and back slightly and your elbows must open and close slightly with each step. If you don’t do that, the reins will go slack when the horse brings his head back and will jam hard on the horse mouth when the horse’s neck stretches forward.
This video from Wiki Creative Commons clearly demonstrates what I'm talking about. Notice first how the horse's head and neck stretch forward and back slightly at each stride. Notice how the rider's soft and giving rein contact allows this to happen. Her elbows open and close slightly, and her hand move forward and back slightly. What she is feeling in her hands is a steady, constant, stretchy contact. And her horse is very comfortable, even with the double bridle.
To fix this problem, the rider needs to work on developing a secure seat and an elastic, stretchy feel on the reins. When you ask for walk or canter, try to maintain that stretchy rein contact, which means that your hands must move forward and back slightly and your elbows must open and close slightly with each step. If you don’t do that, the reins will go slack when the horse brings his head back and will jam hard on the horse mouth when the horse’s neck stretches forward.
This video from Wiki Creative Commons clearly demonstrates what I'm talking about. Notice first how the horse's head and neck stretch forward and back slightly at each stride. Notice how the rider's soft and giving rein contact allows this to happen. Her elbows open and close slightly, and her hand move forward and back slightly. What she is feeling in her hands is a steady, constant, stretchy contact. And her horse is very comfortable, even with the double bridle.
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
Three Secrets To A Secure Seat
Elastic-Contact: How to develop elastic rein contact
How to Get Stronger To Ride Better
How To Get Your Horse to Stretch Down
How to Improve Your Riding By Riding Bareback
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
Three Secrets To A Secure Seat
Elastic-Contact: How to develop elastic rein contact
How to Get Stronger To Ride Better
How To Get Your Horse to Stretch Down
How to Improve Your Riding By Riding Bareback
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins Jan 25 2020; Update June 27, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
Opening photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lostinfog/7728871528
Creative commons gif by User:Waugsberg, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63847127
Copyright Denise Cummins Jan 25 2020; Update June 27, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
Opening photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lostinfog/7728871528
Creative commons gif by User:Waugsberg, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63847127
