Suggestions for a horse that drops shoulder in canter?

[Nojacketrequired]

When my horse canters to the right, he “shifts” me to the left. At first, we thought the saddle wasn’t fitting correctly, but now I’ve got a saddle that doesn’t shift and it’s still happening. When other people ride him they can feel it as well.

It’s as if I am no longer sitting in the middle of the saddle, no matter how hard I try, but am off to the left, which is a very uncomfortable and unsafe feeling. It feels like I’m sliding off to the outside.

Suggestion?

I have the chiropractor coming a week Tuesday as well.

NJR

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

This is one of those things that’s impossible to comment on intelligently without being able to see you ride/see your horse move. Are you working with a trainer? If not, at least one lesson with a good professional could be very useful to you. Or take some video and let us see.

[MysticOakRanch]

Agree with Melissa - but that is the case with most riding/training problems.

You could try a bit of leg yield in the canter - either on a large circle, ask him to LY out a step or two, then go straight until you feel that shift to dropped shoulder, and ask for another LY step or two. If not out of a circle, use a corner to set up initial balance, then ask for a couple of sideways steps (away from the right leg), then let him go straight, and if you feel the shoulder drop, ask for a few more sideways steps. I use canter LY a lot when helping younger horses develop balance in the canter. It isn’t the same as trot LY - you don’t expect the hind legs to cross so much as just catch up - and you don’t do it half-way across the ring, just a few steps, but it really lifts the shoulders nicely!

[merrygoround]

I have felt the feeling. It takes a lot of inside leg, and determination, to get that shoulder back where it belongs. A strong upper inside leg, and a physical determination not to get tossed to the outside helps. If you have progressed to S/I with this horse, you will find it helps to get him straight.

If you pay attention, you will find it is there at the trot, and it is easier to first get him straight at the trot. I can remember one horse that required a tap on the shoulder initially to remind him that that shoulder did not belong there. I know you are told that the whip should only used behind the leg, but there are times in training, when a reminder is needed.

[Nojacketrequired]

Merrygoround, it makes me feel better knowing other have BTDT and were able to work out of it.

I will try the leg yield idea and the idea of standing him up more in the trot before we even ask for the canter, as well.

NJR

[lorilu]

Get his shoulders back in front of his haunches. In addition to the strong inside leg “lifting” him not just pushing him over, try an inside rein upwards half halts.

[tbchick84]

He is most likely not as straight as you think he is. Are you working with a trainer? My horse used to toss me over to the right every stride on the right lead. Once I got his left shoulder under control and adjusted my position to get him to keep his hind end aligned better, we eventually found “straight”. I wish I had identified it and fixed it much sooner, since the canter is now so much easier for him on that lead now.

[J-Lu]

I wonder if he’s just weaker to that side.

If you are comfortable, can you flex him to the right and left gently on both leads? Can you do counter canter to help him balance? Does his counter-canter on that lead also put you over to that side or is he more balanced in the counter canter? I think counter canter is an excellent exercise to help straighten a horse at the canter.

[Color_of_Light]

Turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand both directions is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It can reveal where the challenge/weak point is, as well as help strengthen, loosen, and sharpen response to being able to pick up shoulder or move haunches.

Can he do shoulder fore, shoulder in, haunches in equally both directions? Half pass walk, trot, and/or canter? These movements help supple and strengthen.

I second counter canter for improving balance and strength. If he doesn’t currently do CC, start with shallow loops at the correct canter to quarterline, CC back to the rail. Eventually deepen loop to centerline, CC back to rail. Build to half 20 m circle or around arena, eventually 20 m circle.

[sid]

Haven’t read all the replies, in depth, but did catch TB Chicks. Likely this.

Just PICK UP the shoulder, create a wall that just not allow him to “drop it”. Be sure you pick up that shoulder BEFORE he drops it. You know it’s going to come, so just anticipate and pick up that shoulder just prior before he does it.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Old habits die hard, so it’s up to you to break that habit. Ride the shoulders all the time,but you have to place a wall(and a firm one, without grabbing the mouth) for that falling shoulder before it happens.

Not sure if I’m articulating this very well.

[Nestor]

I’m not sure I’m getting what you’re describing, exactly, but it sounds like you may have lost control that outside shoulder? I have a harder time with this cantering left, and it helps me to ride the inside track or quarter line to check that I have my horse in shoulder fore. I find that I get a bit “dead” in my right arm (thanks to my trainer’s great eye) so I’m not active enough to keep him supple on the outside and in shoulder fore.

I’m not sure if I’m explaining that well enough, or if that’s even close to what you’re asking about, so forgive me! If it sounds like it may be helpful, feel free to PM me (since I don’t always check up on threads) and I’ll do my best to explain more! Though it sounds like others have explained a similar method.