canter transitions

[Tammy]

Last week my mare just wanted to run. Today I could not get a good transition into canter....go figure!! I have read many suggestions about not allowing the horse to "run" trot and then fall into the canter. Today that is all I could get my mare to do and she would only canter a few strides, then fall back into running trot. I tried both leads, loose reins, firmer rein contact, voice commands, trot to canter and walk to canter. No good results from anything!

My question is: when the horse run/trots instead of canter, do you bring the horse back to walk? Or what? Maybe someone can refresh me on the proper canter signal, although I have used the same cues for 2 summers, maybe I am confusing the mare?!? HELP

[Maci]

I, personally, need a crop to help me with my canter transition, so here's my suggestion:

Carry a crop with you. When my horse goes into a running-trot instead of a canter, I usually give him the canter aids (outside foot behind girth, inside where it is and sqeeze)while he's doing his 'run-trot', but I also use my crop (at the same time I'm giving him canter signals) to give him little taps on the shoulder to encourage his canter transition.

I know it's hard to do anything with your legs while your horse is 'running', so to speak, but I try to sit to it, and keep giving him the signals.

Wish You The Best!
Hope That Helped!
Maci :)

[Tammy]

Yesterday I rode bareback in the field and got beautiful walk to canter transitions. This mare is driving me nuts!!

I have always been told the correct canter aids are: outside leg slightly back, inside leg regular position, inside rein slightly raised and "tip" the nose inside. I have seen suggestions on this board to tip the nose outside....which is correct?

Again, when dealing with a response of running trot instead of canter, should I bring her back to walk or let her fall into canter?

My mare hates cantering in the arena and always falls back to trot if I attempt to do a large circle. She does a beautiful cantering circle on the lunge, though. (heavy sigh) I suppose it's something that I am doing wrong...

I appreciate your input, thanks!

[Wally]

Is her saddle hurting he? She seems happier without!

Don't let her run into canter.

[Tammy]

Wally, I thought of that possibility also, but her saddle fits beautifully. I just got in from a two hour trail ride (with saddle) and she was excellent...obedient, walk/canter transition 90% of the time. It was so much fun!! A couple times she went off on the wrong lead...the majority of the time it was perfect! At least, the mare was, I need to get rid of my nasty habit of leaning forward at canter...most of the time I do okay.

Still would like to know if tipping the nose would help get the correct lead...

By the way, once we did a flying lead change....I have no idea how it happened, but it was cool!

I love riding!