Getting there at last in canter!!

[Snowflake]

I think the canter word crops up more than any other word in this forum!!

Last week in my lesson (5 months after getting my Welshie Bounty) I felt rather gung ho and had a go at canter. Managed a few strides but was all over the place.

Last night in my lesson after doing loads of serpentines in trot, my instructor told me to trot large around the whole (Olympic sized) arena and if I felt like it, to try a small canter again.

This time in the corner I merely sat down and put my leg on and hey presto! she did a lovely transition into canter. I couldn't believe that after all this time I was actually calmly doing it!

I think we managed the whole of a side and as I felt she was getting a little speedy I brought her back to trot. Cheryl asked me if I would like another go but it was at the end of my lesson so I thought I would stop while I was winning!!

I really do feel that I have got over the terrible mental block that I had. I didn't feel wobbly or scared, just relieved that I had managed to do it. Five months ago when I bought B I had such a confidence crisis that Cheryl had to lead me around the arena for the first lesson!!

I could wish that Bounty was a horse with a slower canter but I hope I will eventally learn how to control it better. Her trot tends to get really speedy but I have learned how to bring her back to a steadier pace.

It has really helped me to read all your comments - we all seem to go through the same highs and lows and nearly all of us wary of the canter.

But if I can crack it (well almost) then anyone can!


Snowflake

[KarinUS]

Go Snowflake! :D

It can only get better from here! Having a new horse AND learning a new pace must be pretty nerve wrecking.

Good for you for doing so well. Your horse sounds like a sweetie for taking her cues so well, too.

Congratulations!!! :)

[LittleD]

Well done Snowflake! That's great news!

Your last comment "If I can crack it, anyone can" gives me hope, as you know our stories run along parallel lines, my mare has a lovely canter, when someone else is riding her, I've yet to experience it myself, but instead of dreading it like I used to I am working towards it.

Well done again, another mental block in the obstacle course of riding overcome!

[Maria]

Hi Snowflake

That's fantastic news - well done you!

[Wobblydeb]

Well done you, and well done Bounty!

I could wish that Bounty was a horse with a slower canter but I hope I will eventally learn how to control it better. Her trot tends to get really speedy but I have learned how to bring her back to a steadier pace.

I'll bet you a tenner that Bounty has a slower canter inside her, and that just like the trot, with a bit of practice you will learn to control the speed in canter!!

I am just learning to control the speed in trot on my usual lesson horse at the moment - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it seems to be working more and more often, so I'm positive about it :) It's also a whole new world of feeling in control of what goes on underneath my backside... :)