canter seems soooo fast

[rezbeck]

it probably isnt but jack has a very bouncy trot which i dont mind too much and the more i do it the more i like it but when he is cantering, it seems very fast and i get scared that i wont be able to stop him. please any help or suggestions gratefully received, thanks!

[Scarlett 001]

Hey, I also get this feeling even though I don't think the horses I ride really canter any faster than other horses. It does not help things that my downward transitions from canter to trot are not that smooth - I can get them from the canter into the trot but the trot feels sooo out of control such that it is all a bit intense still.

Since I am struggling with this issue too, I may not the best person to offer advice. But I am trying to practice half-halts at the canter to increase my confidence that I have the ability to slow the horse down if the canter gets too fast for my liking (Galadriel had once provided me with a great description of how to half-halt in response to one of my earlier threads in Training of the Rider so you can look up that thread if you want). Also, I assume that once my confidence in my downward transitions improves, I will then feel more confident that I have control over the canter etc.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

your horse may just have longs strides, or very quick short strides making it feel faster then what it is.

for confedince what about getting someone to lounge while you ride and you can practice your cantering. really it just comes in time, with practice.

[Ryoko]

go against all instincts and try to be heavier in the saddle..it may encourage him to go steadier and give u more control :D hope u figure him out soon :)

[virtuallyhorses]

If in doubt return to the things that you feel comfortable with and go slowly with those that make you a little scared. There's usually a good reason for fear - like not being in control or not being secure - there's no medals for heroism in riding and you don't usually learn a lot when frightened so I always think its better to take a step back and work on things that you can improve in safety.

It doesn't mean you won't improve your canter at the same time as everything you learn in riding is related to everything else - the better your foundation of walk and trot the better everything else gets too.

Don't worry it'll come. I used to think that canter was tremendously fast now that my seat has improved I spend my time asking for bigger\longer\faster! ;) its all relative :)

[*HoRsEtArD*]

i have only just learnt how to canter and i find it quite hard to keep in time with the horses movement, i also find keeping her in canter difficult aswell can any1 help me? thanx :)

[kedwards]

Have you tried frequent transitions with only short period of canter? Maybe if you asked for a few strides of canter, halt, walk 5 strides, canter 6 strides, halt, etc. That may help you feel more confident about your ability to bring him back and it will also encourage him to keep himself well balanced and paying attention.

[snoopy20]

Hi rezbck and horsetard,

when i first learnt to canter i was taught to keep to the rythm of the horse. At first i use to hold on to the front of the sadle and pull myself in tight and move with the horse. Once i understood the rythm, of it being a three beatt movment, i started to count in my head the three beats. From this on every third beat when the horse is in sespension i pushed myself in to the saddle, and done thios over a period of time until it came naturally. It will taske practise.

rezback
i either advice you try riding a few othwer horses and compare the pace, or try riding on the lunge. Iu se to have a horse simulair to yours. And working on what i said earlier on the third beat give a gentle half haltr to remind the horse to keep steady. If all else fails hav3e a word with your instructour.

good luck

all the best

snoopy20 x x

[kyanya]

If you can, try and do plenty of transitions, so trot and then canter for maybe a side of the school, then trot again, and repeat. This should help to keep your horse listening to you, so you should feel morein control. Concentrate on keeping a steady rhythm too, as he should feel more safe then, and not like he won't stop.

If he does feel like he is running under you, this will probably be due to your legs not 'draping' around his sides, as then he has space to run under you, and leaving you behind the movement. SO don't squeeze, but make sure your legs are by his sides.