horse wont take off?

Question

she wont take off at a canter she slowly moves into a canter after a trot. She wont even start off in a trot have to kick her about 4 to 5 times to get her into a trot.

Answer 1

Relatively simple schooling would be:
first off squeeze gently -> squeeze harder -> bump with ur heel
ok the next step might seem odd, but when a horse doesnt want to do what you want them to, you do what they want in an over exagerated form. so they wont canter and they're trotting along you halt. as soon as you can and i hate to sound mean, but as rough as necissary.
so after the bump with your heel your going to halt your horse. the next step is just a little wake up call like a "HELLO!". when your horse is standing, most likely they will be fussing quite a bit because of the fact you just halted them so harshly. now hit them once with a crop but not hard, a little tap. then wack him hard eenough for your horse to HOP forward a stride or two. You horse should then "take off". now calmly bring them down to a well mannered walk and give them a long rein as soon as you can. walk maybe two laps around the arena praising them. pick up your trot (this should be easy now) and trot a lap before giving them a light tap (about as hard as the first one from before). and then ask for the canter. if they dont pick it up halt and repeat the previous steps.

Answer 2

Don't just sit there kicking and kicking and kicking. You may be doing something wrong. Talk with a trainer or instructor. Did the horse used to be ridden in spurs. Don't kick with them just nudge. Try riding with a crop. Don't wack on her if she doesnt respond just give her a tap and see. Maybe even seeing the crop will make her know. Does all the tack fit ok? What is the footing like where you are riding.? Look at the situation from the horses view. Are you over working her to be too tired to get up and go?

Answer 3

start to work her back on her ground do some ground work with her at the canter and the trot. also when u are riding her start to bring a crop along with u. itll usualy get the message to the horse pritty quick on what u whant and after using that thing a couple of times she'll relize that thats not to fun being wiped on the but so shell start 2 listen to ur comands. hope this helps. good luck with ur horse!

Answer 4

You need a riding crop, hold it in the right hand with the bu*t of the handle coming out by your thumb, use wrist action to pop horse behind your calf, on his side the instant AFTER you apply leg pressure and keep the pressure on untill he jumps out into the canter then just maintain contact. Remember the leg aid first -no immediate jump out,follow immediatly with the crop. Once hes moving out at the squeeze and fixed pressure lay off the crop, just ride with it for "tune ups". If he continues to be dull you need blunt spurs, do not "kick" just turn the blunts into his side with adequet pressure to move him out quick, once there is a responce keep the blunt out of his side and just keep him on the leg aids.

Answer 5

ok she is fine.......some horses just take a little while to do things!!! NO TWO HORSES ARE THE SAME!!!! and spurs wont hurt your horse and actually might help!! you just have to be easy and if you have never rode in spurs you have to be careful on how you use them!!! everybody here seems to say use a crop or bat!! i myself have never used a crop and so i really dont know how that would work!! try clucking to her or clicking macking some kind of little noise that cues her to speed up/slow down!!!! making the kissing noise to speed up and say whoa to slow down has always worked for me with all horses!!! and also give her slack on the reins she might feel that you are pulling on her and that is why yoiu are having to kick her so much!!!!!


hope i was help!!!

Answer 6

Try carrying a crop or bat and carry it in your inside hand, when changing directions change the crop hand.
If the crop doesn't improve this "habit" of your horses,
try using a dressage whip and engage her hind end.
You shouldn't have to drum on your horses sides to get her to canter freely and in a forward moving rhythm

Answer 7

She needs more training. The cue for canter is heel touch behind the girth, opposite side of the lead you want to take. (Right heel, left lead...)

A good way of teaching this on the ground is to use your hand to simulate your foot, push the "cue" area, she should move her rear away from you. When mounted you should be able to give the cue and have her yield her rear, front feet stationary, pivot in a complete circle, both directions.

Answer 8

for one don't listen to these people about the crops and bats and spurs WILL GET YOU HURT get a long set of good heavy split reins and when she wont move tap her with then if you ware chaps slap the chaps if not slap the saddle if that don't work lace her butt as hard as you can with the reins but be ready for her to jump,run,buck and other tricks. she might and might not do any tricks. i will explain to you why them thing will get you hurt,crops and bats are just one more thing to hang on to and the spurs let some one spur you and see what you do jk but the horse will not like it and is most likely o do some tricks and hurt you

Answer 9

You will need to go right the way back and maybe start again. Is she an ex riding school pony? If you hit her you'll just scare her. Maybe ask a trainer for help?

Answer 10

is she an older horse or a younger horse? Are her feet properly trimmed and/or shod? Are you riding right after you feed? There could be a lot of reasons for your mares' behavior, it all depends on your situation. You can contact me at [e-mail] if you want to discuss it