Legs Tangled

[Lindi]

Can anyone give some advice about how to teach a horse to place its feet in the correct order at walk, trot and canter. The horse in question literally gets its legs tangled up at all paces. Use of the leg or whip, only as a back up aid, is answered by lots of bucking. It seems to me as if she hasn't been taught how to move away from the leg at all and generally lacks impulsion all together. The only problem is the horse is used at a trekking centre which is only open during the summer months, leaving not much time to do schooling.

Any ideas???

[carlos]

Hi Lindi

I'm a little confused by the question

Can she walk, trot and canter in the field when she's on her own?
Or is it just when you are riding her?

How old is she?
I am certainly no expert on this subject by no means - but have you tried working her from the ground instead of riding her?

The only other thing i can suggest is to get the vet out

I did know of a wonderful 16hh Thoroughbred gelding who had trouble with cantering he always felt disunited but he got better with correct schooling, learning to balance and age he was  4 years old and owned by a riding school and unfortunately used in the riding school by kids, people learning to ride - so many different people kicking and hitting him he didn't know what he was supposed to do, i rode him only occasionally but the rest of the time i'd ask him to turn in the stable, pop his lunging 'stuff' on - not on a tight circle but ask with my hand to gently move away from me gradually taking him out further eachtime but the walk and trot are such natural gaits.

Anyway i hope you find out what the problem is - let us know.

Good luck.

Big hugs

Kerry and Carlos.xx

Sorry if i'm a little vague on the situation but  

[Lindi]

Sorry I didn't make that very clear.  

I havn't observed her enough to know whether she is like this in the field or not. I assume it's only when she is being ridden and that she hasn't had enough schooling and may also have difficulty finding her balance with the extra hassle of a rider.

Its mainly at walk and canter i suppose, she just seems to put her feet in any order, in any place. She is only young, not sure of the exact age poss 5-6, and she gets terribly confused. She can canter a few strides then she just gets her legs wrong and either stumbles or throws in a few bucks. I personally think for her she is asked to do too much for her maturity. But if I can help her to understand a little more about what she's being asked to do life would be easier for her.

Working her from the ground is a good idea. Will be a while till I can put all this into practise but I will definitely update when I find out the problem. Thanks very much.