crazy cantering

I have a 4 year old Quarter Horse gelding named Kiwi. I know this whole thing is my fault for not working with him enough (the stables are 45 minutes away and I'm a full time student so it gets very difficult to get out to see him). Anyways, he's a very foward horse. I lunge him before I ride him and I just bought draw reins. The draw reins really really help (yes, I know that I shouldn't use them every time I ride and I won't).

The thing is, every time I ask for a canter, he like shoots to the middle of the arena and does some weird thing with his hind. It's a big mess. I don't know what to do. I've tried inside leg, outside rein, asking from every gait, stopping and asking several times over. Nothing works. I don't know why he does this. And he has VERY bumpy gaits for being a plump QH.

He was trained for roping but he was a surprise and my hubby picked him out. He's been fine with English, but I don't know why he does this when he canters. He also has trouble staying on the rail at any gait, it's like I have to steer him to stay on the rail and then he bangs my leg against the rail a lot.

Any help would be great!

Welcome to the forum!

We need more information to give you advice.

How old is he? Is he kept in a pasture or a barn? How often is he turned out every day? What's he being fed? Are you sure that his saddle fits correctly? Is it an indoor arena or an outdoor arena? Do you ever trail ride--how does he behave on trails? Can you take any lessons on him and get an instructors help?

He's 4. He's kept in a pasture 24/7, I'm pretty sure the saddle fits correctly, I have a comfy pad that goes underneath it, he does this indoors and outdoors. He's fine on trails if there's another horse, he doesn't like to leave the stable if there isn't. He fights me the whole way. I can't afford lessons right now and I'm the only person at the entire stables that rides English.

It doesn't sound like a "too little turn-out" problem, then. I'm afraid that I'm a trail rider and don't ride in arenas much--giving this a bump and hoping that some others will chime in.

I guess I take back--I'll give a little bit of advice. If he's not staying on the rail at any gait, then I wouldn't be cantering him in the arena. I'd get him set at a walk--pattern, poles, whatever, then at a trot, and only after he's behaving well at a trot, would I be cantering him.

How much do you really see him? I think that you need to ride him consistently--at least 3 times a week if you expect him to behave and learn.

That's true. He needs to be more well-rounded. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm only out there MAYBE once a week. I know that's completely unacceptable and I shouldn't have excuses but this place really is far away and I can't board him anywhere closer because it's so freakin' expensive. I'm a student, and I'm in school literally 60 hours a week. I'll be done soon and my husband will be back from Iraq and then we'll be moving to Texas where there are a ton of great stables and he'll have a big green pasture to play in and I'll be out there to see him every day. The good news is, the owner of the ranch I keep him at right now does ride him once a week for me. I know Kiwi deserves better but as soon as I'm done with this school crap (which will be in 2 months) I'll be out there a lot more. Thanks for the advice.

I hope that your husband comes home safely soon!

I hope the best for your husband and yourself and Kiwi for your move.

Something you can try is putting canter poles along the rail. Keep a tight rein so he doesnt pull in. If he is cantering over the poles it may force him to keep cantering straight. I am not a horse trainer but I have used this exercise to teach my horse how to keep a constant gait.

Good Luck!