getting into canter

[*MiRi*]

hi there
this thread is about getting into canter!!

I find it really hard to get the pony i rider into canter! I am on the right diagonal when i am trotting but when i try and get her into canter at the corners everything falls apart.I try and sit down but instead i bounce along and i also try and kick ellie on but she just goes at a run or a really unbalanced trot. She only goes into canter when there is someone far infront of her or the person in front is cantering or trotting. I cant sometimes do it but it does take me a while. Ive seen others in my lesson and they jst seem to have a nice transition. How can i do that?

Any help would be nice :)

xox

[jovi_y2k2]

some ponies just like taking the mick!!!
Before going into canter ensure that the trot is balanced and full of impulsion or the pony will just run on into a faster trot, make your aids for canter very clear and strong, before you reach the corner do a half halt to get her attention then feel with the inside rein and put inside leg on and outside leg behind the girth. Ensure u sit tall and practice sitting trot too if you find it difficult. if the pony is really lazy or ignores you give a little tap with the whip

[*MiRi*]

o right kl! i think i will practise sitting trot as i just bounce when i try!
thank
xox
any more help would be nice

[jovi_y2k2]

with sitting trot too try to sit tall and relax your legs and go with the horses movement like you would in walk or canter. Lunge lessons without stirrups are fantastic to help with position and getting a deeper seat

[*MiRi*]

kl my instuctor did suggest a lunging lesson to imorove my seat. Maybe i should book one?
xox

[CatherineJP]

I had this same problem when I started cantering (about 2mths ago). After a few not very sucessful lessons my instructor stopped trying to get me to canter and we worked on balance instead. I did several whole lessons with no stirups in sitting trot(1/2hour each, ouch!). Then some more lessons with stirups but still in sitting trot. We went back to cantering a couple of weeks ago and the difference is amazing! I can now get into canter ok and keep going, even doing 20m circles and I don't feel like I'm going to be thrown off any more! Balance was definitely the key for me.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Catherine.

[gingerbreadman]

I have the same problem on and off with canter my horse is a lazy sod anyway and loves to take the pee out of me. Sometimes by the time I get into canter I am that knackered he does 2/3 strides and trots again cos i aint got the energy to keep kicking. I have tried shortening my reins more for contact and really kicking but he just seems to lenghthen his trot !!

any other suggestions you experts out there ??

[Raz]

Hey Miri
I used to have a lot of trouble with that sort of thing. Especially with my old horse, he was 7 but didnt know anything. Its important to never let your horse run into a canter, it will just turn into a bad habit and get really annoying. Hold her back at a steady trot until the moment you want her to go. As was suggested a flick with a crop will help her realise that you're the boss and you decide whats happening. Just remember that no one does it perfect at first. Practice Practice and more practice. If you continually do the right thing and give the proper aids your horse will eventually do the right thing. The horse just needs to realise that you arent gonna take any crap.

[Still Falling]

Have you tried to do some work without stirrups? It did wonders for me cus it helps you put your legs in the right place!

You have to remember though, if your horse is bouncy - then you should bounce with it as the idea of riding is to move with your horse! No one is a good rider if they try to sit still to a bouncy pony as it does not do good for the horses back!

If the horse decides to rush - dont let it canter whilst rushing, trot steady again and keep asking until you get a good transition. If it still no good then give it a smack to let you know who is boss!

I used to have the same problem with this cob mare (says it all really) that i ride at college! Now whenever i get on her i dont even need a stick cus she knows that i mean business

[Waikato Valuta]

Try putting a small cross rail just after the corner. Ask for the canter in the corner and then realy shove him over the jump and hopefully he will just into canter.

This is also good for getting right leg and they will do a flying change over the jump if they do happen to strike off wrong.

[*MiRi*]

wow guys! :eek:
thanks for all your ideas! they all make sense to me. like gingerbreakman i get tired from kicking! :) My balance is quite gd but i have done a lot of non stirrup work. Its sooo easy getting into canter with no stirrups and easy to sit to!! not in trot though......ouch
ta again
xox