left lead canter help- OTTB

[Meany]

[QUOTE=scrbear11;7662141]
Horse’s biggest problem is his lack of a work ethic… which in my experience will change with more work.[/QUOTE]

My opinion, worth what you’re paying me for it of course, is that it’s very rare for a TB off the track to have an out and out “work ethic” issue.

They are fit animals typically spending a vast majority of their lives in stalls. Going out to train is by far the most interesting part of their day.

Issues like refusing, propping, getting out are usually rooted in a physical cause. I’m not saying your horse’s trainer didn’t resolve the physical problem before resorting to “tricks,” but it’s worth examining. Particularly if the horse was not exceptionally talented, you would be disheartened by how little many TB connections are willing or able to invest in chasing discomfort in their horses. This is most visible at less prosperous tracks.

So the history from the previous trainer would be of far more concern to me in this case than the issue itself, if that makes sense. JMHO.

[scrbear11]

Absolutely, makes perfect sense.

I think I need to get a chiropractor out for this guy…

My sister came out this morning to help me with him. I usually ride by myself, so I can’t see what I’m doing and what he’s doing from the ground. First comment, “you do realize he goes around with his head cocked to the side. I would get the chiropractor out to adjust him.” Next comment, “Shorten your reins about a foot!”

So with shorter reins I was able to straighten, lift, and there it is- left lead canter. He was able to step right into it.

[QUOTE=Meany;7662185]
My opinion, worth what you’re paying me for it of course, is that it’s very rare for a TB off the track to have an out and out “work ethic” issue.

They are fit animals typically spending a vast majority of their lives in stalls. Going out to train is by far the most interesting part of their day.

Issues like refusing, propping, getting out are usually rooted in a physical cause. I’m not saying your horse’s trainer didn’t resolve the physical problem before resorting to “tricks,” but it’s worth examining. Particularly if the horse was not exceptionally talented, you would be disheartened by how little many TB connections are willing or able to invest in chasing discomfort in their horses. This is most visible at less prosperous tracks.

So the history from the previous trainer would be of far more concern to me in this case than the issue itself, if that makes sense. JMHO.[/QUOTE]

[Tnavas]

Well done - amazing what eyes on the ground can do. OTTB are rather good at pulling back when they feel like it, maybe your boy has done so at some time and put his poll out, that could explain the head tilt, also could be a blind wolf tooth or the remains of one. My boy was like that, slight head tilt until the new dentist found the remains of a wolf tooth just under the skin. Got rid of that and got a straight horse.

[Meany]

[QUOTE=scrbear11;7662651]

My sister came out this morning to help me with him. I usually ride by myself, so I can’t see what I’m doing and what he’s doing from the ground. First comment, “you do realize he goes around with his head cocked to the side. I would get the chiropractor out to adjust him.” Next comment, “Shorten your reins about a foot!”

So with shorter reins I was able to straighten, lift, and there it is- left lead canter. He was able to step right into it.[/QUOTE]

Congrats! That sounds really promising.

[Resilient]

My thoroughbred had problems with his left lead when I got him (right off the track). He would land on his left lead after a jump but otherwise would not pick it up (aside from the day I tried him, picked it up on the first try!). Anyway, I worked him a lot to the left at the walk and trot. He was just very underdeveloped on his left side. He had a lot of issue pushing off with his right hind leg to get himself into the canter. We did a lot of hill work as well as a lot of trot poles to strengthen his hind end. We basically focused on working to the right and getting him to use himself well and once he was more in shape, it wasn’t an issue.

There have been a few times that he’s had several months off due to health reasons and he always struggles with the left lead when we start cantering again. Once he’s been worked a bit and built his muscles back up, we have no issue with it.

[Sunflower]

I am no expert-- only offering some observations from my own work with a project OTTB, Mr Project. Your post says you started working this horse in March. I am wondering if it is too soon to expect him to be doing canter work, from the stand point of building up a topline and the strength to do the work you want him to do in a balanced and comfortable way.

Of course so much of the timing depends on the horse as to how they progress.

I spent my first several months with Mr Project simply working at the walk, and then the trot, encouraging Mr Project to stretch down, take contact, and work over his back. He had the typical race horse upside physique, and no topline to speak of. His topline is now starting to change, but it is a work in progress, bearing in mind that to correctly build up his topline is a 2 year timeline.

I have ONLY just started his canter work, and then only little bits of it. He is starting to relax into the work, and starting to stretch down for the contact, although not consistently. To be honest, he really would benefit from work on the lunge at the canter to help him stretch down-- far more beneficial at this point for him than ridden work-- and I am going to look at incorporating that into what we are doing. When we have cantered, Mr Project has picked up the correct leads, but again, to be honest, that was not my focus-- not yet, first I want him to stretch into the contact and work over his back. This will all take time.

My motto is: I have a lovely work in progress- and next summer, I will be well on my way to a lovely riding horse. In the meantime, he is still in transition from a race horse and while coming on in leaps and bounds-- it is all going to take time, but it is worth taking the time for this lovely guy.

I am addicted to the Art2ride videos-- www.art2ride.com
Have a look at those-- marvellous education about working with horses, especially at the early stages of development.