Cantering instead of trotting

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Any ideas for this one? My 11 year old rides an older horse, but he’s far lighter than the other rider he has. He’s always been lively but lately he’s acting bored for want of a better description.

Every time my son gives the slightest hint to trot he tanks off into a canter. At the moment my son isn’t fighting him and it becomes a fight, he allows a few strides, then corrects him. After 3/4 steady tries he gives into a trot.

Is this a good approach? Or do others have suggestions.

I wondered about pain, eg the saddle, but when he calms to a trot he seems even and comfortable. He’s less reactive with much heavier riders, so again I thought that’s easier?

My son is generally balanced in his seat. He seems to understand he needs to offer gentle prompts (compared to the school horse he also rides), but of course… he’s a child still and very open to correction.

Does he hollow out? A mare of mine used to do this and turned out to be KS.

I'd check for pain and discomfort, it's sometimes easier for a horse to canter than trot if they're experiencing some pain or discomfort somewhere, but may not show other signs unless it gets worse like scowling, looking uneven etc in trot, or doesn't do it with a more experienced rider because they correct earlier (not criticism of your DS, just a possible explanation to why the horse doesn't do it with his other rider). With him being an older horse it could be the onset of arthritis - my older horse prefers to walk and canter and very rarely trots of his own accord now.
Other things to consider would be has his routine changed with the onset of winter, feed etc?

I think I set of arthritis is something to ask about, his stable friend has and thinking back a year also was like this a little.

Makes sense what you say about ds being lighter, but causing pain as less experienced. I’ll ask the school leader to come and observe and give tips in a 1:1 lesson. I didn’t think of it that way

Thanks

Regarding ks, doesn’t mind girth tightening at all, not hollowing I’ve seen, can groom back without a reaction

He’s 23 years old. Vet checked pretty recently (just asked). It may just be ds in some way, or the saddle? He’s always been hard on less experienced riders, didn’t settle as a school horse really

Obviously at 23 he’s not being jumped, but so far never as much as a tooth issue and he’s clearly eager for a hack and a bit of schooling. He greets you and comes over, is otherwise calm. Faster walk than much younger ones and aside from the cantering I couldn’t knock him.

Teach him (preferably on a different animal) to go from walk to trot without any leg. So you lighten your seat as though rising to the trot and responsive horses will go forward into trot.

Thanks, his sister is actually excellent at that. He is definitely all about the leg… good idea

He may be being too strong in his asking for trot, especially if he's used to riding school horses. A 1 to 1 lessons a great idea. He may only have to just think trot, rather than ask for it!

Yes, thanks for being a sounding board in this. I will book a 1:1.
I think it may be a mix of things. Winter weather, riding school horses etc.
Maybe also even a little boy who likes a canter as much as a horse and isn’t really fussed… he does tend to look happy and alive himself

My mare who ive had a year when riding in the menage will try and pop herself into canter if im asking for extended trot. Its easier for them to go into canter if that makes sense

Since I’ve posted this I thought I’d update that they’ve started riding like they are moving in treacle 😂

Today’s trot was like an exaggerated slow motion trot from the ministry of silly walks.

All seems well; I think they just need time