left rein canter - hopefully got it sussed!

[Sarah]

hello!

Tango and I have never been able to consistantly get left lead catner - on the right rein she canters very nicely, but the left rein usually starts off on the right lead then she goes disunited. This is annoying for me as i know she can do it fine as she canters on teh left absolutely fine with Stewart so i know it is me going wrong.

I suddenly had a 'lightbulb' moment last ngiht when schooling. Mike and Nicola in my lessons have been telling me off for collapsing a hip and not sitting straight on Tango. I decided to really concentrate on having a bit more weight in my left seatbone and moving it slightly forward to emphasise the bend and bingo, we had a lovely sensible left canter everytime (with Tango sighing in relief that finally mummy had sorted herself out).

Lets hope that last night wasn't a one off, but it makes sense to me that my poor seat was throwing her off balance so that the sensible option for her was to go disunited.

I'll report back on whether I can get the left canter ever again!

bye!

[Kerry's Partner]

Whilst this may be of absolutely NO importance to anyone else, I AM interested in it. That is to say: this sigh of relief - was it audible (I think this is really important stuff)????????????

btw It takes a lot of courage imo to report as you have done............. because you are telling a real life story ......... i.e. what actually happened and this involves revealing something about yourself and what you have learned as a person who is NOT a beginner, and imo, I think you are (and Tango is) a role model and fit with the (imo) majestic minority.

Gosh, I've probably embarrassed you again - I'm sorry.

Sandra

[nix]

Well done Sarah :D.

Hopefully now it's "clicked" you shouldn't have any more probs <fingers crossed>. Harve and I have the opposite problem, we have real difficulties with right lead canter. He'll canter wonderfully balanced on the incorrect lead ... so much so that it takes someone on the ground half the time to call the lead for me! :rolleyes:

We want more pics!! ;)

[Kerry's Partner]

I second Nix's request for more pics - they are truly a learning experience.

btw you'll have to wait a while longer for Kerry pics - unless you will accept one showing absolute adoration between Sue and Kerry (Kerry in stable, Sue standing outside and in which case you'll have to ask Sue to post it) - because my horse is lame.....................................again................................different symptoms and causes alas!!!!!!!!!!

Sandra

[nix]

Aw, Sandra ... poor Kerry :(. Hope she's better soon. Cyber hugs to you both. :)

[Kerry's Partner]

For the sake of others - you need to describe what else you do/did!!!!!!!!!

If you JUST did the hip thing for example you might not get a change in pace (but I'm sure you'd get a change in direction - well anyway you would if you rode Kerry). SO what else is involved in all of this - this being the transition from (what) into canter??

imo it's really quite a minefield of things (which as a simple coward I can't describe) so can you explain?

[Sarah]

hello!

Sandra, i'm really sorry to hear about poor Kerry, I hope she gets better very quickly. Do post some piccies of her though (or bully Sue to!).

The transition worked from both walk and trot into canter. i was using my hip to get Tagno to bend in the correct direction rather than to get her to turn off the track as usually I have a lot more weight going through my right hip whcih doesn't help when trying to get a left bend prior to a left canter transition.

Nix, I'm glad i'm not the only one who often needs someone of teh ground to tell me if I am on the wrong lead or even disunited as Tango is really well balanced in disunited canter! She even fooled Mike A a few times when he was watching her as she is so settled disunited, because I mess everything up!

bye!

[Kerry's Partner]

Nix and Sarah a big thank you from Kerry and myself for all of your good wishes.

Sue, if you read this could I bully you to post that pic of you with Kerry ................ PLEASE.

Sandra