Falling backwards at the canter

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I have been cantering for about a year now, and thought I was doing pretty good. My dad, however, recently taped me on the camera and I was shocked at what I saw. As the horse was cantering, my legs were forward, and my shoulders were back. I've tried leaning forward, but nothing works. I just lose my seat and the horse comes down to the trot. Any hints or suggestions?

[tarkia]

It helps if there is a mirror or something that you can see yourself in when your riding. I use the window of the office to check my position, if you lean back this makes it easier to be thrown off if the horses bolts off, but if you lean too far forward this encourages the horse to build up speed.
I always think of the "Lines" when riding, you should just be able to see the tip of your toe, if you can see more of your foot then your leg is too far forward, keep your back straight, and there should be a straight line from your elbow, through the reins to the horse's bit. Also the other line is from your head, down your back, to your heel. This may help to get your position better.

[Tootsie4U]

what if you had a lunge lesson while cantering. That way your instructor or someone could tell you what to do while you're doing it so you can get the feel of it. Usually once I feel the way it is supposed to feel, then it is easier for me.

[tarkia]

Try to go riding a bit more and always have a canter when your allowed, the more you do and get corrected the better you will become.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks for the help everyone!! :)

tarkia ---Thanks! Yes, we do have mirrors. I find it hard however to turn my head to look at them when I'm riding. I guess I'm still a little uncomfortable at the canter. I'll try looking to see if I can see my toes. I'm taking a lesson on Friday, so it'll be a good time to put it to the test. :) Thanks for everything! :)

Tootsie4U ---Thats a great idea! I'm going to ask my instructor about that. I noticed last week that there was a girl riding with a longe (sp?) line. I think that might help, since I wouldn't have to worry about the horse breaking to the trot either. Thank you very much!! :)

[virtuallyhorses]

Is this the only gait that you are back in the chair seat? I've found that my position tends to be exaggerated at the canter BUT the basic faults are there in all other gaits - if I correct them in walk\trot then canter comes through also.

Perhaps you could have some lessons where you work solely on your position in walk\trot - making sure that the ear-shoulder-hip-heel line is correct ALL the time and then move onto canter again.

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thank you! That would make sense then. I didn't really get a good look at my posisition at the walk and trot, but I'll check it out again. It would be much easier to fix it at the walk and trot before moving on to the canter. :) Thank you! :)