First time cantering!

[Tiggy]

Hi, I just had a really good fun lesson :D ! It was with another person (1st time I've ridden with another) and we started off doing rising trotting, with short walks in between each of our turns. After a while doing this we moved onto sitting trot - I dont think I did it too well - it was really bumpy, but I'm not too sure if it usually is or not as I've mainly done rising trot so far. After the 1st 30 mins were over we tried walking and trotting without stirrups - this was the 1st time I had ever tried this, and I found it very tiring on my legs :o . After about 15 - 20 minutes working without stirrups we put them on and I had my first ever canter! I really enjoyed it :D ! What really surprised me was that I found it to be a lot more comfortable than trotting (maybe the horse I was riding just has a comfier canter than trot)! This was only my 8th lesson - I don't know if that means I'm progressing quickly or slowly, but I feel like its a good pace.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share that as I had asked here earlier about group lessons, and while there were only 2 of us, I think it still qualifies as one :) . I also found it really good to be able to watch someone else riding, as I've not really seen it before, and it gave me a little time to work on things. The main problem I seem to have is getting an active walk - I always seem to end up "plodding" around the school - does anybody have any tips for fixing this?

Thanks, Tiggy.

[kedwards]

Congratulations! It sounds like you are making excellent progress.

For what it's worth, getting an active walk on some lessons horse is no easy task. Let your hips really relax to go with his movement, and give a little squeeze in rhythm with his gait. You can try giving a squeeze each time your outside hip advances (this is around the time that the horse is bringing his outside hind leg forward). Doing a few walk-trot transitions can also help.

[mikka]

Well done, Tiggy! It sounds like you're enjoying your lessons and are making excellent progress. Cantering is so much smoother than trot! Fun, huh?

[Showjumper]

Wahey!!! :D Well done

[Chantal]

Well done! I find canter much easier than trot as well, and I also have the same problem of plodding. It depends on the horse, but firstly try using your voice to encourage the horse forward. If that doesn't work, try a sharp aid with the leg (not hard, just quick). I normally try three leg aids and if that doesn't work, back it up with the whip. I often don't actually have to touch the horse with the whip. I find slapping it against my boot, holding it out to the side so the horse can see it for a couple of seconds, or making a noise with it in the air is enough. If I do use it, I start with a tickle. Also, start the lesson with lots and lots of transitions, which should get the horse moving off your leg a bit more. Good luck!

[Tiggy]

Hi, thanks for all the replies! Yeah, i really enjoyed my cantering :D ! I'm really looking forward to my next lesson :) ! I hadn't thought of hitting my boot - thanks for the tip. The other thing i forgot to mention is that the horse i have been riding takes me quite a while to get into trot - all i know how to do so far to tell him that that's what i want is to "kick" (not actually kick, but more squeeze / hit his sides with my calves) - he then speeds up and eventually goes into trot, but it takes me quite a long time (around 10 - 15 seconds i think) - can anyone give me any tips for that? i expect the same applies as for the walk. I've not been taught another way to go into trot - is there one? i've not been riding for long, so i dont know if i might just not have learnt it yet, or what not. Another possibility is that as my legs are not that strong just now he isn't getting the message.

Anyway, thanks again, Tiggy.

[quarterhorse11]

think about if someone is poking you over and over. after 15 times you'll probably start ignoring it right? well, what if the person put firm and steady pressure on you. you would be more willing to move, right?
use that idea in your trotting. DRIVE with your legs and heels, not kick, kick, kick. firmly squeeze with your legs and think TROT! it sounds funny but it does work!
also, when you post, after rising, when you're sitting squeeze to remind your horse if nessacary.
congrats on canter!!! lots of fun huh?!

[$@R@H]

The horse I ride now has a really easy canter Which I can apperciate since I lernt t canter on the most bumpist canter horse ever!!