Canter Problems????

[friskyfilly14]

I have bein Riding English for 7 monthes now, and yesterday I just started the canter My teacher put me on the lunge line and when the horse started to canter I flipped out my legs were all wabbely and I couldn't use my legs very much?Does anyone on have any tips for cantering or help for my question
THANKS

[ojoisland]

I'm not an expert still learning as well...I still canter on a lunge line as I am not ready to canter alone. When I first cantered on a lunge line, a couple of months a go, my instructor told me what to do and expect. I was told to put one leg forward and the other a little more back (left or right it depends which way your going, though I don't quite remember which is which:( ). Anyhow, just relax and go with the flow of the horse (i know it's hard to relax as we tend to tense up) but it makes it easier when you do. Think of hugging your horse with your leg and stay balance...hope that helps a little...goodluck!:)

[whoa]

I have only cantered on the lunge a couple of times and they were both a disaster and just made me more scared. However off the lunge I dont really have a problem. My own personal theory is that it doesn't help that you are going round in fairly small circles and I dont like the feeling that I'm not in control (though whether I am off the lunge is a matter of opinion!!). So is there a chance your instructor will let you have a go on your own? If not then what I found helped was to ask to just canter a few strides so you know it's not going to be going on too long!!

[Piaffe]

I would suggest that you got tense and stiffened up, therefore not going with the horses movement, but against it.

Whoa is quite right about small circles - the horse will lean slightly inwards and probably make you feel as though you will come off at any moment.

Next time you're cantering on the lunge, hold on to the front of the saddle with two fingers of your outside hand and pull yourself deep into the saddle - and relax. Hold the reins with your inside hand and just try to get the feel of the horses movement. Don't tense your lower back or shoulders - just go with it.

It would be an idea to have a few strides of canter off the lunge - along the long straight side of the school. Again, if you feel uncomfortable or unbalanced, you can either slow the horse down, or hold onto the saddle again, pulling yourself deep.

Most of all don't worry - practice makes perfect! :D

[whoa]

piaffe - i tried the holding onto the saddle idea but found that was making me lean foward and consequently putting me more off balance.

frisky - the real answer as piaffe said is to relax! Trouble is it's easier said than down and only comes after a lot of practise. I've done quite a lot of cantering now but I still get the jitters sometimes (especially when i'm riding a new horse - or worse still a pony!!).

[Piaffe]

I would also suggest cantering without stirrups on the lunge - holding on and sitting back. Without reins or stirrups, you will find that you'll naturally sit in the correct position - i.e. you find the natural centre of balance and should neither tip forward or sit back.

It sounds horrendous, I know, to those of you who have only just started riding, but it really helps - even if you can only get a couple of strides in, you will feel the difference.

Whoa - have you tried 'forcing' yourself to sit back? - it feels really weird and unnatural, but it does work. Another thing - if your stirrups are the wrong length, this can interfere with the security of your seat as well.

[whoa]

Well so far as lunging goes I just found I was so scared I was gripping the saddle too hard (I must have left imprints of my fingers in it!!) - when I just held onto the reins I didnt lean so far foward (maybe my arms are too short!!).

Off the lunge my problem is leaning forward when I ask for canter - I really have to put all my concentration into not doing it. It's probably my biggest problem at the moment.:rolleyes:

[friskyfilly14]

Thanks guys I'll be sure to try those tips on Friday.And buy the way at my lesson on cantering I was on a horse I normally would never ride!

[whoa]

Let us know how you get on - and if you pick up any tips tell me!!

I always am worse when I'm riding a pony, I always seem to have trouble with those little 'uns!! trouble is I think it's becoming a mental block and I start off with the wrong attitude:(

[scout4361]

I always trot in 2 point position and then trot without stirrups just to relax my hips and get a good deep seat. It always seems to help before cantering. I have never cantered on the lunge before- i would think it would be harder in a way- always on a turn. Anyway I find that if I lean back slightly I am actually sitting straight (even though it honestly doesn't feel that way at all) and that does me loads of good in terms of keeping contact with the saddle. I bounce alot less that way.

Anyway try doing riding exercises beforehand that will help deepen your seat and lengthen your leg without you actually realizing it. It makes for a much smoother, balanced canter.

[makebelieve]

Move with the horse :) Push your body forward.

I keep my outside leg forward, inside leg back, and outside rein tighter. I have been cantering since my 6th lesson, and I think its the best gait, not meaning to brag.

[scout4361]

I'm finally getting used to the canter and what I find is that I sit tilted slightly back- actually it just feels that way but I look as though I'm sitting straight. I also kinda tuck my pelvis under but still try to sit tall with my upper body. As soon as I do that I find it easy to sit to the horses movements.

I think if your legs are coming off of the horses sides you are maybe leaning too far forward and maybe losing your balance a bit??? bouncing more????

Anyway I am definitely no expert, just a beginner but I can't believe what a difference a slight adjustment in body position can make. When I feel more in synch with the horse I don't have to rely on reins for balance which was a big problem before.

How are you at sitting trot? I found as soon as I could get my sitting trot better with less bounce and better contact with the saddle, I pretty much copied that same position with canter, just to a different beat and it helped enormously.

[friskyfilly14]

Thanks everyone your tips worked well. I had another cantering lesson yesterday and holding on to the front of the saddle worked alot better! Because with mane I lean forward to much. My instuctor said I did WAY better.