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View Full Version : Ahhhh!!Cantering nightmare!


Rozejewelz
14th Sep 2000, 12:55 AM
Hey ,I am Michelle and i am 11 years old.I have taken about 6 horseback lessons ,and i was not half bad!I really loved the posting trot and western was fun to.I got really nervous when my instructor told me to go out and CANTER on my 6th lesson!I panicked and Royale acted like she felt it becuase she absolutely REFUSED to canter for me (she tortted me to death).Yesterday i went in that ring at showed her whos boss (although i never use a crop on Royale ,i only have to do that with the lazybones ,Storm!)I set my jaw and trotted in a tight circle ,i posted agressively so she knew i wasn't messing around with her today .Finally i kicked her side with my outside leg and shouted *Get up Roy!Get up!Com'on canter!*she responded REALLY fast ,and kind of sped around the ring ,i boggled all over the place on the saddle nervously as my instructor told me to sit tight and try to balance.Finally ,afetr calming Roy down and trying again ,i became relaxed and everything connected ,i thought i was doing okay,but my instructor really jumped on my back about my legs swinging around to much.I don't get it ,i press my heels down good and tight but it seems like my legs just get all floppity!But when i take my feet out of the stirrups i canter perfectly cuz i can hug the horse's body,but i cant do the same thing when i have stirrups on!I was riding western ,is it easier english?how do i stop the flubbery legs?HELP!

Wally
14th Sep 2000, 07:50 AM
Forcing your heels down is making you tense and you will find that you will flap all over the place. Allow only the weight of your legs to go into your heels, don't force it. You may also find that the horse will find it easier to go into canter from a sitting trot.
Cantering in a tight circle is hell on wheels. The easiest way to learn to canter is in a straight line. After you have got the idea of the gait itself then you can learn the more delicate art of tight circles.
Don't worry it's only the 6th lesson. It'll come.

Personally I find English easier than Western, only because I have done very little Western riding. I have heard from those that ride Western that English is more difficult.