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View Full Version : Cantering on a circle - any suggestions


xxxkristinaxxx
1st Jun 2008, 06:56 PM
Have been schooling Ronnie regularly the past two weeks or so and having regular tuition from my good friend who is basically like a riding instructor she is great.
Anyway walk is super, trot is not bad. We do a bit of everything as I try to vary the routine as much as possible. Usually do a lot of circles, serpentines, figures of eight, transition work, pole work, the odd jump, lunging over jumps etc.
So today I decided to work on her canter I no it needs a lot of work. Basically transition from trot to canter was very good, however when I got to the corner she would not turn it was as if she was napping as there was another horse in the other field so she may have wanted to keep going forward, but she kept doing this repeatedly.
So tried cantering her in a different place and she was fine and did a nice corner.
Then to end with I made her canter all the way round she cut the corners but I got her round.
I don't know whether she just cant control herself and turn the corners and is a bit stiff or if she is just playing up?
I have been working on collecting the canter as well and she did improve a lot today.
So what other suggestions can you think of to make her canter in the corners?

I was thinking about cantering her on the lunge, would this help.
I really think she just can't canter on circles.
There is no physical problems as I have had the vet out to check her over when she had her jabs. Her saddle does fit but she is getting treated to a new one in a month or so lucky her. Teeth have also been checked.

xloopylozzax
1st Jun 2008, 07:11 PM
she is probably stiff.

you need to do loads of small circles, leg-yielding serpentines and time to get them supple again- i am doing this at the moment with my mare after just hacking so canters on straight lines only which hasnt helped.

if she is going fast really slow her down to the point where she is wanting to break into trot as you go round corners then keep your leg on for the canter.

lunging would be a good idea, in side reins or the like so she builds muscles in the right places to be able to canter.

xxxkristinaxxx
1st Jun 2008, 07:34 PM
so canters on straight lines only which hasnt helped.
Ditto I have been doing a lot of this! So obviously hasn't helped

xloopylozzax thanks for your suggestions, everything you have said makes sense I will start from tomorrow I really think at the moment she isnt supple enough to do canter circle work/turning corners so I will work on the lunge with this as well as walking and trotting on circles and lots of leg yeilding

Thanks :D