Can I learn to Canter with eyes closed?????

[Daphne]

Does anybody think it would be alright to ask my instructor (at the riding school with an outdoor arena) if i can learn to canter with my eyes closed?

I bet you think I've gone mad but at the other riding school i attend i trotted with my eyes closed and it was the best thing since sliced bread!!!

I was really relaxed and in tune with the horse.

I don't think I would be as scared to learn how to canter on the lunge if my eyes are closed. But I'm not sure if the instructor will agree, as the horse does tend to the cut the corners of the circle a lot and would I be able to sort that out if I had my eyes closed?

Daphne.:D

[horselover]

I do agree that this is a very good method to learn how a horse feels beneath you. If it has helped you in the past, it is worth a try again. I would ask the instructor- after all, what can he say but "no?" Maybe yu could even ride a different horse that doesn't cut corners just for a few lessons until you got the idea. I guess you sould aske to be longed, too, but personally, I think it is much harder to learn to canter in a circle- it is much more unbablancing than going straight.

How much does the horse cut the corners? If it's not too much, than it probabaly wouldn't matter. Try to feel for the corner, and use your inside leg to keep the horse from cutting in.

[Dizzy]

riding with your eyes shut is great to help you feel the horses movement and focus on what you yourself are doing. If you want to learn to canter it would probably be best done in a straight line at first to give you a feel of the stride, and still be able to use your legs and hands while still being balanced. If you do canter on the lunge ask for a horse/pony that doesn't cut corners as this will be hard for you to keep him out whilst learning a new stride.

Maybe you might be better sticking to the one that does cut corners (but staying in walk and trot) until you have learned how to keep him on the outside track. I know with riding school horses some will do the bare minimum of what they are being asked, although at the time when you are struggling to get them to go where you want, when you do manage you know you are the pilot and not the passenger.

Lots of luck, cantering is great fun, you'll love it. Let us know your what you decide to do and how you fair.

Lesley