I'm cantering again!!!

[Wobblydeb]

Wahey! :D

It has been such a battle to get to this point. Hacking ruined me for being able to ask properly for a canter transition, and actually sit to the stride (instead of standing up in my stirrups ;) )

Well yesterday we got a good couple of circuits around the school with me feeling fine (okay, so we didn't exactly stay on the track, but hey!). Had to keep remembering to keep my heels down, but at least I noticed when they were creeping up and backwards :)

PLUS..... my trot was so much better by the end of the lesson. Even I could tell the difference :)

Strange too - I used to think changing horse regularly was one of the benefits of going along to a riding school with plenty of choice of horses. But now I've been riding the same mare for the last couple of months, and I'm really enjoying it. I trust her because I know what to expect, plus I can see the improvements I am making rather than putting it down to being on an "easier" horse that week. AND I haven't had a really offputting week yet because I was on a difficult horse ;)

[Maria]

That's great news. You should be really proud of yourself.

It's nice to build up a relationship with one horse and see the improvements in the two of you.

[Retty]

Well Done!!! :)

[sadie01]

Hi Wobblydeb

Well done you! You sound as though it was challenging but you really enjoyed it.

It must be lovely riding the same horse over a period of time, give you an idea of what it would be like if you had your own and could ride more often.

It great when you know you've made progress, I look forward to your updates.

[rainmaker]

hey well done sounds like your having fun which is what its all about! I know I prefer to ride the same horse every week but sometimes its great too to experience a new horse just for the sheer excitement of it!

[Snowflake]

WobblyDeb

I do envy you as I am still struggling with my canter transitions. I have got my nerve back and am eager(!) to canter properly now but it ain't that easy.

Had a good lesson on Saturday- leg yielding in trot etc. However when it came to asking for canter Madam (Bounty) was having none of it. Each time I asked for canter she went off into one of those awful bouncy trots, so there we were, pounding around the school at what felt like 100 mph.

In the end I did manage to get a few canter strides but it was an effort and rather exhausting! I shall have to work out a little strategy for popping her into canter.
:eek: Frustrating as now I have overcome most of my nerves I want to get on with it!!

Snowflake

[Trixie]

Snowflake, I too have spent many hours in the past bouncing round in a speedy trot/run rather than a canter. In the past I've found that the best way to overcome this is to ask for canter as usual on a corner and if the trot speeds up instead, bring it back to normal and ask at the next corner with stronger legs. Every time you just get the speedy trot, come back to working trot or even walk and increase the strength of the leg aids. Make sure you give a bit of rein when you ask as the horse will want to lower its head for the start of the canter. Once you get your horse between the aids, you won't get the same dip in the head on strike-off. Also, make sure that as you approach the point for your canter, sit for two to three paces BEFORE giving the leg aids, that might give your horse a subtle hint. If all else fails, you could try walk to canter, missing out the trot, but that can be hard work.

These things have helped me in the past and I'm not sure if they would work for you, but its worth a try. One thing I don't do is reinforce my leg aids with a stick behind my heel - I'm too nervous in canter to try that and it tends to upset the rythm. Others may be braver than me. Good luck!

[Snowflake]

I agree about the stick Tixie. I have been giving my stick to Cheryl my instructor before cantering as I too am nervous of using it - I never use it on Bounty anyway as she is quite forward going.

Somebody told me that Welsh Sections Ds are notoriously difficult with canter transitions as trot really is their pace. I will just have to keep practising as I am sure it just as much about me giving her the wrong signals as it about her being awkward! The trouble is the more "goes" I have the worse I feel my position becomes (through anxiety). What one is after is a subtle squeeze and voila (I wish1).


Snowflake

[shopgirl]

I love reading all these stories, my daughter has 2 14.2 ponies ( one is an angel and the other is a little sod!) and for the last year or so I have just been happy to be the Groom! But as I said to a friend of mine the other day I've either turned a corner or I have a Deathwish, I've been riding for the past three weeks regularly, out in the fields, in the school and I'm really enjoying it, so much so I want to ride everyday ( the angel I hasten to add) but my daughter isn't too impressed with the idea!! It's odd but every year I visit Exmoor with a schol party and have a great time Cantering across the moors etc. but then I get home and feel that I can't ride my own, but I'm determined to change that. By the way I'm in my late 40's.