1st thread, cantering steering problems

[alanuk]

Hi there, I have been having lessons riding for a few weeks now and have took to it very quickly, however I am having a few problems cantering, mainly steering the horse, I can canter in straight line fine but can't seem to get the horse to turn, I turn my head and body round the direction I want to go but the horse doesnt seem to move and goes straight making me have to stop him.

Also a couple of times at one corner of the arena I did stop him and now he keeps doing it, my RI says to now gently pat him on the shoulder because he is taking the mickey now and trying to get away with it, any advice?

[~*sugarlump*~]

welcome to NR :)

sounds like you're going quick enough for cantering within a few weeks of learning.
i dont think patting the horse is going to do much as this will just re inforce the behaviour which is not what you want, unless your RI means a tap with a crop.
it sounds like your horse isnt bending and is just bringing his head around and escaping through the shoulder.
keep your outside leg strong on him until he turns,

i think it would be a good idea to perfect it in trot. do some no reins work so you rely on your legs and seat aids abit more for stearing and controling the horse.
but dont feel too badly it took me a few months to canter:p

[tack2hack]

I agree with previous reply! I too have been having lessons for the last 6 weeks after a break from riding for 20 years. I too cannot canter round corners, infact not doing a good job in a straight line LOL. Decided to concentrate on my trotting as my instructor feels if I gain a better seat with increased balance I should overcome this issue.
Next lesson we are going to do more work without stirrups!! I must admit I feel abit of a plonker when I watch everyone else cantering round without any problems......but hey, we will do it eventually.
Good luck

[Bubbles1989]

I know a lot of people may not agree with this but the horse i ride always tries to cut across the middle of the school when he canters, no idea why especially seeing as he loves it so much you'd think he'd want more room to do it in! But what i do is when i'm trotting just before i go into canter ive got the outside rein held tight so that he doesn't even try to come away from the wall and keep it quite tight until hes in canter then once hes cantering i'll put my hands forward (loose) and im just strong with my inside leg and he keeps to the corners.

By the way by keeping the rein tight im not pulling on his mouth, he understands what it means and doesn't pull against it! If his head and neck aren't straight its not going to be comfortable so he does what feels best!!

Sorry if im no real help!! :rolleyes:

Just read your post again if you're actually turning are you bringing your outside leg back and keeping strong with the inside leg? Its supposed to make the horse bend around you're leg and i'm yet to find one this doesn't work on! (Sorry if this is a 'well duh of course i do that' kinda thing!!)

[alanuk]

I actually just realised, its riding trot not canter!! ha and here I was thinking I was cantering after only a few lessons!!

Well today we went out a hack and it was lovely, to be honest I think he was at it at the corner and got used to it or wanted to try his luck again but I do think its most likley the way I am holding the reins and my legs, this is just going to take time I think!

[gangle_creature]

Hi there, I have been having lessons riding for a few weeks now and have took to it very quickly, however I am having a few problems cantering, mainly steering the horse, I can canter in straight line fine but can't seem to get the horse to turn, I turn my head and body round the direction I want to go but the horse doesnt seem to move and goes straight making me have to stop him.



If i just turn my body and look where im going my horse would go straight on too, sounds like you need to steer slightly........

[alanuk]

YEs, I think so, I am just confused with moving legs and reins and body!!

So If you are turning right you look right as well as move your right leg out a bit and pull the right rein then?

I also find it hard to give the horse a kick to get it moving, I either miss, or end up giving him a tap? Any tips there?

[gangle_creature]

YEs, I think so, I am just confused with moving legs and reins and body!!

So If you are turning right you look right as well as move your right leg out a bit and pull the right rein then?

I also find it hard to give the horse a kick to get it moving, I either miss, or end up giving him a tap? Any tips there?

Whatever direction you turn the horses head is the direction he should go. Dont worry about doing anything much with your legs other than keeping them kicking on to keep the horse moving, you can worry about where your legs are when you have more control. For now just kick and steer and look where your going, your body should naturally turn slightly when your head turns. So just kick on, steer and look where your going.