Emmaa
14th Sep 2000, 08:59 PM
Hi Rozejewelz!
I have recently begun to canter in my lessons as well, so I can relate to you. When I first began to canter, my legs flopped about, as well as my arms, and I bounced around like a "drunk on that saddle," as my instructor said (jokingly of course). In my last few lessons it has slowly began to look and feel better. Instead of forcing your heels down, and consequently tensing up, try smoothly and evenly dropping the weight into your heels. Keeping your back straight, and without collapsing in your stomache, let your pelvis move with the horse. Also you may want to ask your instructor to put you onto the lunge line. This way you don't have to worry about keeping the horse going in a certain direction, the lunge will.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Emmaa
p.s.- congrats on getting your horse moving!
I have recently begun to canter in my lessons as well, so I can relate to you. When I first began to canter, my legs flopped about, as well as my arms, and I bounced around like a "drunk on that saddle," as my instructor said (jokingly of course). In my last few lessons it has slowly began to look and feel better. Instead of forcing your heels down, and consequently tensing up, try smoothly and evenly dropping the weight into your heels. Keeping your back straight, and without collapsing in your stomache, let your pelvis move with the horse. Also you may want to ask your instructor to put you onto the lunge line. This way you don't have to worry about keeping the horse going in a certain direction, the lunge will.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Emmaa
p.s.- congrats on getting your horse moving!