How does one correct a running horse, when you want canter?

[Mike S]

Recently, after a ten year absence, I returned to riding. To kick start I thought it best to start the adjustment in a controlled environment, ie, a BHS Approved riding school. I'm coming on fine.

However... :eek:

The school horse, instead of a transition from trot to canter, strikes from trot to running! I have learned that the horse has a driving background. The school ought to work on this problem, yes, but meanwhile, I would like to assist doing so when on this mount - to gain experience, if nothing more.

Any ideas please? It's the first time in years that I've come across this running gait business. Annoying ... :mad: ... A good horse, except for the habit ... :(

Mike

[coss]

lots of half halts, half halt- ask for canter, if you get running, half halt and re-ask canter. that normally helps to break the habit as the horse finds out you aren't asking them to run. make sure you aid is very clear.
once in canter let it happen no matter how fast, you've asked for the canter, the refinement of the canter will come once the horse understands canter more.

if half halts don't help then a pole on the ground and ask for canter as you go over it might give the horse more lift to encourage the canter.

[Skyhuntress]

Be really, really precise in your aids. Overexxagerate them if necessary. And also make sure that you give a half halt during the transition. It'll also help if you ask in corners or in a circle, as it gives him less time to run. And if he DOES run, don't keep asking him top canter. Bring him back to a trot and then ask again when eh's balanced again

[Mike S]

Thanks both... Appreciated. Actually, I as if instinctively applied half halts to bring the horse to bear on a few occasions, and then applied the aids for canter. At one point I thought I'd achieved the transition to canter, only then for the horse to fall back into a damn run! I then applied half halt, trot, and half halt again before resuming the canter aids. Awkward, but at least what you say implies that I am close to what's recommended, except to motion things in corners or in a circle, as StormArion suggested. And yes... I have overeeasgerated the aids... It was needed!! :-)

Thanks, Mike

[Mike S]

Thanks both... Appreciated. Actually, I as if instinctively applied half halts to bring the horse to bear on a few occasions, and then applied the aids for canter. At one point I thought I'd achieved the transition to canter, only then for the horse to fall back into a damn run! I then applied half halt, trot, and half halt again before resuming the canter aids. Awkward, but at least what you say implies that I am close to what's recommended, except to motion things in corners or in a circle, as StormArion suggested. And yes... I have overexxagerated the aids... It was needed!! :-)

Thanks, Mike

[Mike S]

Damn... posted twice... Sorry!!! ...:p ... :D ...

Mike

[coss]

another thing is would recommend is doing some spirals in trot, leg yield out to a big circle and as you hit the big circle, half halt and ask canter, the inside hind will be extra under the horse which should help :)

[Cheeky]

Honey has this habbit too .. trying to break it.

If you ask for the canter and they begin to 'run' (what do you mean by this? is it a large trot ..?), half halt, rebalance, steady to a nice, working trot, and ask again. Try to ask for the canter out of a corner, over exxagerate (as previously said), and I've heard that if you raise the inside rein a little it helps give a better cue.

Good luck!

[Joyscarer]

Just to add what the others have said, make sure to really reward by voice, a pat, a click or whatever method you use for positive reinforcement when he does break into a canter so that is have no doubt that he has got it right :)

[Mike S]

Seems everyone is much of the same opinion, and I'm grateful for the input ... :) ... In a number if ways I was in fact applying what's been suggested, so I'm pleased that I'm on the right track. I'll try from a corner and apply one or two other ideas that's been suggested. The horse in question is nifty, tentative, so together we should connect somewhere along the line - hopefully! However, it's a school horse, and hell, I shouldn't be 'training' a school horse, now should I? ... :rolleyes:... What a clat! But hey, after a lapse of ten years out of the saddle and now back again, it makes me work, which is good. No room to fuss over trivia or worry about jod seams splitting under the strain! ... :D

Mike

[Pink's lady]

Once you've got it, you'll get it most times. It's more about feel, which is near impossible to describe on here.:o

As other said, don't just keep asking. A horse that is 'running' is flat and on the forehand. To be able to canter they need to lift their weight off the faorehand (hence the 'hop' some horses do into canter).

You will need to be very organised. Get him balance and settled in trot (i.e cirlces) but going forwards and ask whilst the bend is right and at the right moment (impossible to describe - it's a feeling you will eventually develop (not much help I know:o).

Make sure you don't drop your contact (a very common fault) nor sock him in the mouth. Sit it trot fludily for a couple of strids (so you're not bouncing) and when the foot fall feels right, as firmly and clearly but without flustering the horse. If he's not on the forehard taking your weight slightly forwards and onto the inside shoulder to free up the outside back leg but it's a very bad habit (and very hard to correct:o ) to get into and doesn't work if the horse is flat. It can be very effective otherwise though.

Good luck:D I can be so frustarating. Everytime he gets it wrong settle him again and yourself then re-ask. It could 10 trys but if you do get it, think about what you/he did differently

[myhorseisginger]

My 4 y/o acheived her first canter in the school yesterday (she's only been broken a short while and is very quick to learn) She was running and never actually breaking into canter no matter how exagerrated my aids were (it was funny to walk i'm told!) so i gave her a lead from another horse and it worked perfectly! She only managed about 5 strides but gave her masses of praise and pats and left it at that. Is there ever other horses in the school when you ride? If so get them to canter while you follow whilst still applying exaggerated aids, your horse will soon get the hang of it! x