keeping canter going

[xRach21x]

hi all

supose the question is in the tiltle really, how do you keep the horse going when you get into canter what are the right aids?
i havnt been learning very long and have had no problems with trot, rising trot ect this seems to be the first thng that has thrown me. i can get the RS horse to canter but not keep it going so am not relaxing and feeling the movement. next lesson my RI said we will have a lesson on the lunge and im abit nervous as i havnt been on the lunge before!!
thanks
rach xxx :)

[spannah91]

hey, im probs not guna be any help lol but i thought i would try!

my canter transitions are a bit poo as my heels do not stay down and sometimes i end up losing them ... i dont concentrate on my feet bcause im trying so hard to keep tha horse going soooo i dont bother lol ... to keep tha horse going i just keep nudgin every time tha horse moves forward in tha canter (i.e the 'rocking feeling' ?) and nudge harder in every corner so it doesnt fall out of tha canter ... there are exercises that you can do to maintain canter and make tha horse generally fitter n so on ... i reckon a regular exercise of upwards n downwards transitions, making sure tat they are correct and clear, will help your horse stay in that darned canter! lol

the idea of going on tha lunge ... i havent been on tha lunge before either, but i've heard that it definitely helps and i reckon will be a big thumbs up

i hope i have helped u somehow! tell me how u get on with yur mission!

Spannah xx

[horseygirl123]

Yes you need to keep 'nudging' the horse to keep it in canter
I put my husband on the lunge today for the first time to try and help him sit to the canter instead of bouncing !!
He was quite nervous at first but then found reassurance in the fact that he didnt have to worry about steering or the horse falling back into trot and could just concentrate solely on his position and his seat.
Half an hour on the lunge did wonders for him, he was so much more relaxed and even managed to take both hands off the saddle for a while :p

I'd definately say being on the lunge is invaluable, as long as you have a well schooled horse ofcourse ;)

[sockonmyhead]

i always get told by my RI to give little squeezes and nudges to keep the canter going!
and don't be afraid of the lunge! it's fantastic because you can concentrate wholly on yourself and your position while your RI deals with the horse!
which reminds me i need another lunge lesson!

[doolally_tap]

My RI has always taught me to only squeeze/nudge with my inside leg. The outside leg is in close contact always, and the nudging happens with the inside leg.

[Marmite]

A lesson on the lunge should be great, it measn you can concentrate on relaxing yourself and flowing with the horse without worrying about steering and keeping going. You might find that being on the lunge helps you rela to the canter, which means relaxed legs dropping into the right place, which mean you'll find it easier to squeeze them to keep the canter going :)

Have fun!

[Joyscarer]

It maybe that you are a bit nervous so not very relaxed.

Some horses are sensitive to the rider so they tend to stop with nervous riders. The riders aids say canter but the rider themself is nervous and not too sure they really want to canter. Of this mixed messages the horse tends to go for the body language one as it tells the horse more. So it could be the horse is only trying to look after you rather than being lazy.

Going on the lunge takes the control away from the nervous rider who can then concentrate on getting some cantering experience under his belt and then be more confident that cantering is really what the want to do which changes the body language. :)

[Mistertron]

I echo everyone else - dont be afriad of the lunge! its safer because your RI will be in control of the steering and the speed. You just worry about your position.

[xRach21x]

thanks every1 i fell more at ease now i have more of an idea what to expect. i supose its a good thing i havnt needed a lunge lesson up to now but i am looking forward to another new thing to grasp.
rach xxx

[Jeni_92]

i have same problem, im tryin soo hard to stay in canter once i get the transistion my heels go up and my hands rise soo i'm pullin on the breaks and soo she slows to trot! My RI says if u keep your hands down, keep your heels down and keep your leg ON then you should keep the canter.