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Q. “My horse tends to buck and misbehave when cantering. This happens mostly when we are going to the left. Any suggestions?”

This problem rears it’s ugly head frequently with novice riders. The increased pace of the canter and resulting instability of the rider magnifies problems that might not be seen in the walk or trot.

First, it is wise to rule out any physical discomfort that could contribute to your horse’s behaviour. Some ideas:

Teeth: Have your vet check for irregularities that could cause pain, especially when traveling to the left.

Back: Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and medications prescribed by your vet, are some typical approaches to a back pain diagnosis.

An ultrasound may uncover internal problems such as an ovarian cyst.

Saddle: Pressure points caused by an ill-fitting saddle can affect your horse the way uncomfortable shoes affect you. Talk to a reputable saddle maker for some guidelines to determine proper fit. I choose a gel pad to accommodate a horse that’s not custom-made for my saddle!

We always need to look to a physical cause first as the key to any issue, with the realization that a horse with a good education and a relationship of respect and trust with the rider will push through the pain barrier. There is never an excuse for bucking.

As a trainer of a horse with a inclination to buck, I’d make sure these “bricks” are well laid in my training foundation before cantering:

Hip control: Starting with a turn on the forehand, and advancing to haunches in at the canter, control of the hind quarters will prevent your horse from “fishtailing” and serve to strengthen the weaker lead. Bulging to the outside of a circle (usually towards the barn), lack of forward motion and bucking are often related problems.

A system of yes and no: A horse soon learns that by bucking, he can displace his rider’s leg, thereby giving himself a reward! Throughout the buck, say “no” by sending him forward with his hips to the inside, using your outside leg firmly (and spur, if necessary) behind the girth. The second he softens and canters forward calmly say, “yes” by softening your leg and relaxing your body. Timing is the key – with a few repetitions, he’ll get the picture.

Q. How do I go about introducing my horse to flying changes?

A. Mastering straight, rhythmic, effortless flying changes is a real accomplishment and a lot of fun to work towards. Some building blocks should be in place before you teach lead changes.

1. Knowledge of leads. Many horses are taught leads in relation to direction of travel (always picking up the inside lead as you travel around the rail) Instead I want my horses to know their leads in relation to the way I position their bodies. Using my inside leg at the girth, and my outside leg behind the girth, I have independent control of the hips and shoulders. With that in place, I should be able to pick up either lead, on a straight line anywhere in the arena.

2. Counter canter. My horse should stay balanced and comfortable cantering on the outside lead. I don’t want him to relate a change of lead to a change of direction. This is the cause of anticipation. I will change from the counter lead to the true lead and back again at any spot in the arena. The horse never predicts where it’s going to happen.

3. Leg yield at the canter. To prepare for a flying change, initially I leg yield away from the side I want to change to. To avoid anticipation in response to this preparatory step, I may leg yield and not ask for a change at all. For example, on the right lead, I may canter the horse over away from my left leg and then back again. We’re not ready to begin lead changes until he’s calm and organized travelling back and forth on either lead.

With these steps in place you are ready to introduce a flying change.

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