Finally Got It Right!!

[Maci]

I've posted a few questions about cantering throughout the month, and last night when I went to go ride my horse, i finally got it. I COULD CANTER! RIGHT, TOO! It finally clicked with me! I'm so proud! I also felt my riding has improved too!
So, I posted this to basically say, for those of you who have a problem in a certain area of riding, don't give up! One day everything will just put itself together, and it'll click with you.
I'm So Happy!
Maci :)

[Wally]

This is the beauty of riding horses, you never ever loose that triumphant feeling when something goes right. Even when you have had horses for ages and riden for years there is always something to strive for. When at last you master something whether it be rising trot or pirouettes it is a fantastic feeling.

I suddenly realised today that my so called problem horse is becoming less of a problem day by day. It has taken me over a year to be able to say that I now trust him in most situations. It's great when it all comes together. It's what it's all about.

[fionahogg]

I know and love that feeling also! Thats really great that your cantering has improved so much. Well done!!

Fiona.

[Silvia]

Well done!!! Keep up the good work. Silvia

[ZoeEnglish]

Maci, that's great. I have the same problem you did about going too high off the saddle. I watched a video of myself riding yesterday, and I sit nice and straight and deep on the saddle when my horse is in the down phase (her leading forefoot on the ground), but when she goes up, I end up going up too, as if I am rising over a small jump. Then I thump down on her back when her hind end comes up again. Is there anything you did that made it right that you can think of? Hints to pass on? Thanks!

[Maci]

Well, all I can suggest is to allow your pelvis to freely sway with the horse's movement. I pretended that all my weight was down in my butt (not physically ofcourse!), which helped me stay close to the saddle.

I was reading another post on cantering awhile ago, about an instructor talking to the 'canterer' as she was cantering, to get her mind off concentrating so hard on how to do it. I think this is a good idea, as it takes your mind off the canter, and puts it somewhere else. And in the end, in most cases, you end up moving with the canter flow, and it ends up being right.
Don't Give Up, As You'll Get It In End!!
All The Best!
Maci :)

[showjumper13]

Here's a sure-fire way to get you to stop posting too high! Try posting without stirrups! It's reeeaaally difficult at first but it does wonders for your balance, your leg position, etc. Try it! And don't give up. It's really easy to give up with this exercise. Make a goal for yourself, promise yourself that you're going do 5 minutes of continuous posting w/o stirrups, or whatever you can handle.

[intouch]

Get your horse going at a nice steady canter then put your reins in one hand and start swinging the other in a big circle, backwards (like Backstroke)in rhythm with the canter. This should bring your weight down and back as you would otherwise be coming off the saddle and gradually you will get the feel of sitting into the saddle. Mind you don't sit back on your tail bone, and keep your legs down and back - imagine your heels are attached to the horse's hind feet. And don't be afraid of holding on to a neckstrap till you get the feel - better than tensing up so you get it all wrong.