Even more cantering!

[Chantal]

I'm 26 and have recently returned to the saddle after a 10 yr break. I've just been changed onto a more challenging horse at my lessons to improve my riding, which I don't mind at all, except that when I ask for a canter she gets really excited and zips round the school very fast. I always keep my balance, but I can't slow her down. I've tried half-halting before I ask for canter and during the canter, but she's very persistent! I also I'm not progressing as whilst she's cantering she comes off the track and I'm too busy trying to slow her down to correct her line. The only way I can stop her (this is what I was told to do) is by pulling hard on the reins, which I don't think is right. I'm also new to this message board, so apologies if I'm doing anything wrong! Any advice would be welcome. Thank you.

[Maci]

Welcome to the board! Don't worry if you're doing something wrong; we all make riding mistakes! They help us learn!

When you ask for a canter, first, make sure your trot is balanced, and by that I mean the horse and you are balanced in the trot like "one"- working together (he is activly going forward and responding attentivly to you). When you ask for a canter, make sure you do the aids clear and even accompany them with your voice for encourage. If he starts to speed up in trot, half-halt him (like you were doing) and slow him down with your voice ("Whoa"), to a steadier trot, and try again.

Hope This Helps!
For An Excited Horse, This May Take A Few Trys!
Maci :)

[kedwards]

When this happens to me, it's ussually because I'm leaning my upper body forward. If I sit up to the vertical and deepen my seat a bit, the horse slows the canter.

What does your instructor say?

By the way, it's all progress, even if it's determined by the horse.

[horselover]

Rascal, the horse that I ride at my lessons, used to canter really fast. It took alot of time and effort to get him to take it down a notch, or 3 or 4!!! Kedwards is right- make sure that you aren't leaning forward b/c this signals the horse to go fatsre. Sometimes, we tend to lean forward when we are scared b/c it is the fetal position, which we assume when frightened. So you might be subconsciously leaning forward without meaning to.

Also, if you use the half-halt aid, it really should slow the horse down. Is the bit strong enough? I had to go to a slightly stronger bit with Rascal b/c nothing else would work. even though it's stronger, I don't have to continually half-halt or pull on the reins- which you should not have to do. It will ruin the horse's mouth. A stronger it, if used with the light contact you should be maintaining, would be much better than continually pulling hard on the reins. If your trainer has actually advised you to do this, it is likely that others have used this method, giving the horse a hard mouth and desensitizingher to the light aids that should be used. If this is the case, then it isn't your fault- it's the trainers.

Hope this helps little bit!

If not, keep asking, someone here will be sure to provide an answer b/c they always do! :)

[Chantal]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have a lesson tonight, so I'll try out your suggestions and let you know how it goes!

[olympicprincess]

yep, I have to agree with others, you're probably having riding faults and are unaware.
Stay back- you're probably too far forward, so this will feel like you're leaning back.
Don't hang on the reins, horses run away from pressure. You're now nervous & the horse senses it everywhere from you.

Sounds like you need a few longe lessons. Let us know how the lesson goes.

[Chantal]

This time I was mounted on a slower horse, which proved very useful because I was able to try out your suggestions without panicking. I really concentrated on balance, leaning back instead of forward, and trying to be relaxed. So hopefully when I have my next lesson (back on Sandy the fast one!), I will be a bit more confident and be able to act calmly and clearly.