Talesofthehorse
1st Jun 2007, 06:33 PM
Hi guys and girls,
Just thought I would post about my recent learning to canter experiences as they may help others!
Previously when trying to get a canter in the school i took a massive deep breath, tensed, kicked hard and got nowhere!!!!
However in the last 1-1.5 months I have had lessons on the lunge, done lots of sitting trot(ouch), lots of sitting and rising trot without stirrups. Thanks to all this my position and trot is a million times better and the horse I ride is a lot more forward going as well due to my improved riding on top!
Thus my confidence has built without the stirrups as I have been focusing on relaxing, i was told to think of my favourite food to relax whilst doing it! So I have been bouncing around saying fajitias over and over to myself! (madness but works!)
My last lesson but one I got a few steps of canter but my last lesson was fab! We did lots of trotting and circles etc then my RI calmly says ask for canter after sitting at A for a few strides, she asked this half way down the long side of the school, so I sit, give the leg aids and canter down the school! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! trotting when I get to the next corner!
No puffing myself up, no big kick, didn't have time to over think it so relaxed!
It probably wasn't perfect but felt good! We did it once more, then focused on trotting again and tried again later in the lesson (so as not to get focused on one thing!). Not only have my no stirrups lessons helped massively, I also went on a hack inbetween times on a more responsive horse and got a canter from him easily which gave me the confidence to do it in the school!
So my beginners top tips would be
practise riding circles etc in sitting trot
rise and sit in trot with no stirrups
relax and think of food
go for a hack to try to canter in a more relaxed setting which will give you confidence in the school
SORRY guys that is a mammoth post but I hope it helps and I just had to share it, it was sooo fun! :)
Just thought I would post about my recent learning to canter experiences as they may help others!
Previously when trying to get a canter in the school i took a massive deep breath, tensed, kicked hard and got nowhere!!!!
However in the last 1-1.5 months I have had lessons on the lunge, done lots of sitting trot(ouch), lots of sitting and rising trot without stirrups. Thanks to all this my position and trot is a million times better and the horse I ride is a lot more forward going as well due to my improved riding on top!
Thus my confidence has built without the stirrups as I have been focusing on relaxing, i was told to think of my favourite food to relax whilst doing it! So I have been bouncing around saying fajitias over and over to myself! (madness but works!)
My last lesson but one I got a few steps of canter but my last lesson was fab! We did lots of trotting and circles etc then my RI calmly says ask for canter after sitting at A for a few strides, she asked this half way down the long side of the school, so I sit, give the leg aids and canter down the school! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! trotting when I get to the next corner!
No puffing myself up, no big kick, didn't have time to over think it so relaxed!
It probably wasn't perfect but felt good! We did it once more, then focused on trotting again and tried again later in the lesson (so as not to get focused on one thing!). Not only have my no stirrups lessons helped massively, I also went on a hack inbetween times on a more responsive horse and got a canter from him easily which gave me the confidence to do it in the school!
So my beginners top tips would be
practise riding circles etc in sitting trot
rise and sit in trot with no stirrups
relax and think of food
go for a hack to try to canter in a more relaxed setting which will give you confidence in the school
SORRY guys that is a mammoth post but I hope it helps and I just had to share it, it was sooo fun! :)