Level of horse’s back on circle

[LilyandBaron]

I tried to search, but hard to figure out how to phrase what I’m feeling precisely. I have an OTSTB, and playing with improving his ability to canter (lovely canter in first few strides, doesn’t sustain it).

I ride multiple horses, so I don’t believe this is my issue. He’s also had saddle fitting, and does this in both his jump and dressage saddles.

When bending to the left, on a circle, not super noticeable just tracking left, I feel like my outside “side” drops lower than the inside. If his back had a flat board on it, the outside of his back drops lower. It doesn’t happen going right.

Just curious on thoughts for what might cause the weirdly notable “tilt” of his back? I’ve never felt anything quite as distinct as this, and I’ve ridden lots of horses. TIA!

Thanks!

[Scribbler]

Bend, fitness, etc

[GraceLikeRain]

I would think a weaker outside hind going that direction that isn’t pushing evenly so he’s short striding and creating an unbalanced dip. Whether it’s something ouchy or simply strength would be a separate question. It might be helpful to have someone video and also do some videoing trotting straight at and away from the camera to see if there’s a more subtle hip dip at the trot as well.

[sheltona01]

I see it when I am saddle fitting. It is usually related to how uneven they move. If it is significant I would involve a vet to help identify the weakness and address so it does progess into further issues.

[RedHorses]

I find that sort of thing can happen when the horse isn’t stepping under with their inside hind leg.

[VodkaRedbullx2]

It sounds like he doesn’t know how to lift his right shoulder yet. I would do a few things. 1. Make sure he can easily move it over In hand. If he can’t cross it when you ask then he doesn’t understand to lift it yet. 2. I would lunge in the canter and use the wall or corner of the arena when I ask for the depart so he figures out how to lift it and the wall helps hold it.
3. I would ride it undersaddle with a counter flexion and the whip in my right hand and would gently tap it over until the horse can canter a d lift move it over.

[Demerara_Stables]

He’s not bending enough, or correctly, to the left. His inside hip should drop more than the outside when he’s bending in order to reach under himself, resulting in your seat dropping more to the inside on a bend.

Now whether that’s a result of training, soundness, or fitness, is another question. Can you get him to bend off of your inside leg at the walk without using your inside hand to pull him around? If he can do it at the walk, then progress to the trot. You’re better off than a lot of people that can’t feel this difference, so focus on how it feels when you’re asking him to bend. Some horses just don’t know how to bend correctly so they throw you to the outside on the bend. If he looks/feels sound otherwise, spend some time teaching him to bend off of your left leg starting at the walk and see if that helps. When he’s bending correctly you’ll feel your left hip drop instead of your right.

[merrygoround]

I would suspect a strength issue. You need a lot of time on trot circles, making sure that the circles are correct with the inside hind reaching under, hill work if available and canter transitions on the longe. There is also a straightness component that will need a lot of attention.

[sheltona01]

I agree that it could be a strength, straightness, and training issue. However, there could also be some physical limitations that we need to consider. If the horse isn’t able to address the issue with attention to detail for even a brief moment, I think it would be worth looking into it further.

[beowulf]

This seems textbook for STBs on a circle at a canter. They are not bred for a fluid canter, tend to be more four-beat in that gait and sometimes have race baggage making it difficult. I find most have a flatter pelvis/coup with a hind end fundament that makes true collected canter challenging. Most STBs bend just fine (and are almost a little too lateral) but they lack the natural push of their hinds to keep a canter a pure 3 beat on a circle. They are not bred for collected work and circles @ canter can be difficult without lots of strength training.

Try canter-walk transitions on a straight line to start. You want to keep them as straight as possible - inside bend will actually make it worse (if my own STB projects have taught me anything). Hold the outside rein almost think of outside bend. Don’t canter too long to start either. Half a circle is plenty. You break it down into bite sized tidbits because another part of the STB puzzle is their brains are in overdrive as they scramble to keep a gait they are not naturally suited for.

Play around with leg yields at the trot too. You can leg yield from the quarterline to the wall, then ask for a canter transition. It will help put their inside hind under them and help keep them straight.

Good luck!

[STaR2]

Do OTSTB ever canter until they leave the track? I don’t think they do. How long has he been off the track? Seems like he has to develop the muscles to jump in the canter - muscles he hasn’t used before? I can’t imagine what you are talking about but I haven’t ridden a OTSTB. Good luck in your endeavor and as beowulf said, take your time with this guy. I hope you give updates.

[LilyandBaron]

I’ve had this guy almost 10 years, and it took some time to trot. And he does canter, just not that far before breaking to pace. I’ve done lots to develop him so more thinking of injury/physical issue causing it than just needing time/training. I also haven’t wanted to push a square peg into a round hole:). He was purchased as the third wheel for my other two when I bought a farm and as a possible husband horse. He’s got a home for life, just curious if others had felt this significant lateral height difference in a horse’s back - I’ve ridden loads and have never felt anything like it.

Here’s a photo from a show - he’s a bit downhill, but a good guy:). My newest horse was diagnosed as a head shaker this year, so working through that and circled back to this guy in the meantime:).

[lorilu]

You can also try leg yielding out at the canter (AKA plie). ALso some SF at canter, and HI… everything to improve strength. My PRE has a “hole” on his right side when cantering left; it is improving as he gets stronger at the canter. WOrk at the trot and walk will also strengthen him…