One thing we all know is that PSSM and MFM causes a whole range of canter problems.
But why is this?
The Canter is a 3 beat gait that requires the most engagement from a horse, and if we are asking our horses to work into a contact or a certain frame we are making the canter an even more demanding task as we are asking our horses to engage to the utmost of their ability.
In the canter sequence the inside hind leg must reach underneath the horse in order for them to engage.
"Colormore What For- Kandy'" showing canter engagement while at play
In order for a horse to make this inside hind leg reach their back must be free of any tightness as the horse has to more or less sit, but it is this reaching underneath and rounding of the back that causes so many canter issues for PSSM & MFM horses especially if they are symptomatic.
When asked to canter a PSSM or MFM horse simply wont be able to as they become tight, for some its instant, for some they get worse the more they canter, thus leading to a whole range of canter issues.
We have listed below all the common canter problems associated with PSSM & MFM (PSSM2) along with video clips to help you spot them!
TRANSITIONS
The trot to canter transition is one that alot of horses find challenging, but for a PSSM or MFM horse canter transitions can be a real big problem. No matter how much you set the horse up or prepare them, affected horses will really struggle with the trot to canter transition especially if they are symptomatic or tight, this may present itself by:
1) Stumbling or ambling into the transition 2) Showing resistance by lashing out (bucking, kicking out, plunging), or throwing their heads up going into the transition
3) Getting disunited behind
4) Falling out of the canter almost as soon as you've asked for it
5) Feeling strung out into the transition, this is the feeling that the front legs canter but the back legs are still trotting and lagging behind
Tex N/P1 N/P3 American Paint Horse showing difficulty in the canter transitions
CROSSFIRING
Crossfiring is where the horse will keep switching legs in the canter, they will often switch behind, but can also switch in front. Crossfiring can sometimes look like a horse is trotting on its back legs, but they will still be cantering on the front, dependent on how symptomatic a horse is depends on the amount that they crossfire.
Crossfiring as shown here by Ditsy (Bay) cob cross N/P1, & Peaches (Grey) N/P1 New forest cross
BOUNDING
Bounding is where a symptomatic horse will canter bringing both hind legs underneath them at the exact same time, almost like they are bouncing on their back legs.
Stratus N/P2 Quarter Horse Gelding showing bounding at the canter, and gallop where its even more noticeable
RESISTANCE TO CONTACT
You have the contact in walk and trot, but come canter you lose it- sound familiar? This is nothing to do with you, PSSM & MFM horses often struggle to keep the contact in the canter they will show resistance by:
1) Gnashing/gnawing the bit
2) Head flicking/tossing
3) Not responding to half halts no matter how many you use
4) Head tilting
5) Feeling stiff or locked in the neck
Tex N/P1, N/P3 American Paint Horse showing resistance to contact in the dressage ring. Comments I regularly used to get on test sheets would read "Tight over back, resistant to contact"
NOT GOING FORWARDS
Often mistaken for laziness, some PSSM & MFM horses get extremely tight in the canter some straight away, others get worse the more canter work that they do in some cases pushing a PSSM or MFM horse who is not going forwards can lead to a full tying up episode, a PSSM or MFM horse who's not going forwards will appear:
1) Bunched or curled up
2) Tight over the back
3) Appear to be sucking back
4) Canter slowly looking as if they are going nowhere
5) The canter seems laboured and alot of effort
6) The horse looks and seems tight
7) The horse can sometimes be breathing heavily and sweating profusely
Tex N/P1 N/P3 American Paint Horse showing not going forwards enough, he would often feel lazy and suck back it was a real effort to get him to canter like my other horses and he would tire easily
EXPLOSIVE BEHAVIOUR OR NAUGHTINESS
Some PSSM & MFM horses will try for you despite being in pain but others will simply refuse and tell you no, when asked to canter some PSSM & MFM horses will:
1) Buck
2) Bronc
3) Rear
4) Lash or kick out
5) Plunge forwards
6) Tank off or behave erratically trying to escape from the pain
Two Kop Town N/P8 QH (Chestnut), Ditsy N/P1 cob cross, Tex N/P1 & N/P1 American Paint Horse, and Bluebell (Bay white face) a warmblood mare who behaved erratically at canter and carried MFM suspect lines including nimmerdor.
And there you have it PSSM & MFM symptoms at canter we will be following up this blog this week with an in depth voiced over video featuring more video clips of PSSM & MFM horses at the canter.
Comments