Canter Challenges for the Young Warmblood

[JMurray]

I am looking at an unbroken young warmblood gelding. Temperment to die for, great walk, fabulous trot but awfully stilted behind at the canter at liberty in indoor. and will only do 2 -3 strides on a huge lunge circle before breaking. Looks discombobulated. I did not have an opportunity to see him cantering out in a pasture Just immaturity? Should I pass on him?

Edited to say he is 16.1 and 5 yrs old, large frame and heavy bone. An old time Hanoverian type. I know the reasons why he hasn't been backed yet and it is not soundness related, just a time issue for the breeder.

[EqTrainer]

16.1 is not that big. Are you sure you aren't seeing a neurological problem at the canter or a SI problem? Personally I would prefer to buy a good canter so I'd probably pass.

[JMurray]

16.1 is not that big. Are you sure you aren't seeing a neurological problem at the canter or a SI problem? Personally I would prefer to buy a good canter so I'd probably pass.

I did wonder about that. He is well bred. Don Frederico out of an imported Prince Thatch. I would have expected to see a good canter considering the excellent walk and fab trot

[TKR]

I would be concerned about the canter, but I think I would also take a look at him at liberty cantering in a large area. I have a horse that was started by someone else cowboy style, who loved to start a movement and abruptly stop and he has never been happy cantering on the lungeline, but lovely u/s and at liberty. You just never know.
PennyG

[Dressage_Diva333]

I would be concerned, personally. The canter is such an important gait. Don Frederico's have exceptional canters, typically. I don't stress to much about the trot on youngsters. That can be enhanced to a certain degree when ridden properly. The canter however, is more important.


ETA: I had a horse in training recently who would canter fine at liberty, and under saddle. However, it was a real battle to get him to canter on the lunge line at first. Whenever he got nervous or confused he would just slam on the brakes. Same as how TKR mentioned.

[Nootka]

maybe the areas are small for him even at liberty?

I have seen unbalanced youngsters not able to continue cantering in limited areas. Some grew out of it but most I have noticed to be naturally balanced (and if they did have issues they just broke to trot) and were not discombobulated.

That being said.... I had a youngster that couldn't keep his hindend "together" and it was horrible. He was always just kinda "off". I ended up having to give him away and the vets never could figure out what was wrong with him. I had his stifles x-rayed, his hocks x-rayed (then, injected as last move) and even back checked. Nothing:no:

[TKR]

If he's 5 and not been worked, the lunge circle might be tough if he's never learned to balance going in a circle in a relatively tight area. My guy just gets tense and doesn't really want to settle into a nice canter for very long, drops to a trot, switches leads, etc. I guess he's just anticipating something negative. We don't lunge much anyway, he's too much fun to ride, LOL. He is very athletic and balanced, so I'm just offering the benefit of the doubt.

PennyG

[Equilibrium]

Just consider he might not be shod behind and the surface might not have been to his liking. I have woodchip that everyone does fine one except for my warmblood filly. She has bigger movements and power than the other horses and the ground breaks away from her. So when cantering she's a bit "protective". In sand and in the fields, riding and lunging, she's a different mover all together because she has confidence in the surface.

Sounds silly, but it does happen.

Terri

[ne1]

i have often found what penny describes. if you are able to get any kind of 'return agreement' with canter (which would be unusual) you may consider taking him home and work him steadily for a couple of months and see if the canter developed. 5yo with big frame? it should improve considerably if he's had no work.

[JMurray]

Will have to think on it and go see him again but also keep looking. I am looking to replace my 6 year old who has a pasture injury and will not come back to being a dressage horse. I don't want a baby so lightly started 5 - 7 yr old I might be able to afford.

Thanks for all the feedback. It all supports what my gut was saying about the different things that might be causing the cantering problem.