ridding problems

Question
I have just started to take my 3 year old out for light hacks he is a plodder by nature but when we go into a canter he tucks his head right under and trys to get me off. Its not my saddle as i have had one fitted by a saddle fitter recently. I was just wondering if this was normal behaviour for a youngster who has not been worked much.

Answer
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for writing in with your question.
When you state your 3 year old is a "plodder" by nature this tells me your horse is "lazy" by nature. There are two types of horses. Hot blooded (always wanting to move), and cold horses (lazy horses who do not want to move out). For a lazy horse to drop it's head low, he is showing his reluctance to move out when asked. This is pretty much normal behavior for this type of horse. I suggest when he does this to put him to work by moving his feet. Horses are terrible at multitasking. They can only think of one thing at a time. So if you put him to work by moving his feet he can only think about what he is doing at that time. Does that make sense? I would make his feet move in tight circle at a trot when he does this. Do serpentines and circles. Not large circles...just small, tight circles. Make him back up. Back up quickly. Not like a slug. Then move on to larger circles and serpentines at a canter.
I hope this has helped you. Please stay safe and have fun riding. Being with your horse should be fun.