It has been an incredibly long time since I've been on the forum! WoW!
My mare and I are doing much more riding and I am noticing she has horrific balance. Her balance is so impossible I do not feel safe cantering her in saddle. When we go to canter she drops her shoulder which causes a melee of issues. She is gaited, but I do not think this has to do with her issue, as she has cantered in the past beautifully.
My big question is what kinds of exercises could I do to increase her balance and lateral flexion to allow her to canter and carry herself better?
My ungaited morab is having the same problem after having being ridden very infrequently for the past several years before I bought him this June. Transitions, spiraling in and out of circles at the walk and trot and trot poles will help gain balance. Try longing at the canter so she can gain confidence w/o a rider as well.
The traditional exercises for developing strength, balance, and flexibility are the shoulder-fore, demi-shoulder-in, shoulder-in, haunches-in, haunches-out, and half-pass.
First rule out pain since she cantered previously by having your vet give her a physical. If she's an older mare, she may be developing arthritis which makes cantering difficult.
Once pain has been ruled out or corrected, then start her on a good conditioning program to build up her muscle and help her find her balance----hill work, spirals, serpentines, pole work, backing, transitions, etc. Gradually increase time, distance, and intensity as her condition improves, but only one at a time.
Also check YOUR balance---are you leaning, putting more weight on one seat bone, wobbling in the saddle, pulling on her mouth for balance. Check you saddle fit and position---are there any dry spots when you pull tack? Is the saddle interfering with her shoulder movement?
If the horse in your avatar is the horse your post refers to, that looks like a Tennessee Walker.
While they can be lunged, they cannot be lunged in small circles like a walk/trot horse. If you've been doing that, it may have cause some shoulder issues.
I second having a vet rule out any sort of pain
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