Advice on cantering??

[bubblious]

Hello all

I've only been riding for the past 8 months or so, and I'm now at the stage where I feel confident trotting and steering around the menage, however in the last few lessons my teacher has said I'm ready to begin cantering, but I've been saying no because I'm too scared :rolleyes: .... don't ask me why I'm nervous 'cos I don't know myself. I trust the horse and I can see that cantering in the menage is not much faster than the trotting, and I know he wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't ready. Anyway, seems that next week I'll be cantering ... I can't keep on putting it off can I ??

So, anyone any words of wisdom for hanging on and making it round in one piece :) How do I convince myself and the horse that I'm capable of doing this?

thanks

xxx

[kedwards]

First, yes you can keep putting it off if that's what you wanted. There's no law that says you have to canter. I know a few riders how have their own horses and ride regularly, but don't canter (at least not intentionally).

That said, there are many good reasons why you might want to canter. Among other things, it's fun and it can be a very comfortable gait (generally moreso than trotting).

If you are still nervous, you might ask your instructor about whether it's possible to start by learning on a longe line. Assuming she has a horse that's appropriate for this, it's a great way to learn because (1) you don't have to worry about controlling speed, (2) you can reach down and pull yourself into the saddle if you want to adjust your seat, and (3) you don't have to worry about having too much or uneven rein contact, since you won't have any reins.

If that's not an option, then just focus on sitting up straight, staying relaxed in the saddle, and releasing forward with your hands as the horse stretches his neck forward.

Best of luck!

[Kalypso]

oh, I had the same problem as you when i began cantering! I was terrified, actually, because Kallie had run off with me a few times. But I got four weeks of lessons before i was forced to learn! :eek:

Just...relax. Don't tense up, cause if you do, you'll sit forward in the seat, and it will probably make the horse go faster. Sit back, keep your legs long and your heels down, sit DEEP into the saddle, and try to keep your bum in the saddle, not bouncing all over the place.

You say you trust the horse you are riding, so remember that. Cantering is really alot of fun, and (usually) so much smoother than a trot, especially a sitting trot. Try to take a few deep, long breaths before you ask for the canter to make sure you aren't tense.

I know, easier said than done. The way I got over my cantering fear....was to go riding out in a corn field with a friend...we decided we wanted to see whose horse would be faster....and took off at a full out gallop...erm...needless to say, I wasn't afraid of a canter anymore! :o :D (wouldn't suggest this option, though! ;) ).

Just have fun, you'll do fine!! :D

[Bay Mare]

I agree with doing it on the lunge. You don't have to worry then about GETTING canter just sitting to it (it's very comfortable if you can relax end enjoy it).

You might like to ask for a neck strap, I find it really difficult to hang onto the saddle, it just doesn't work for me. Having a neck strap means that you have something to hold on without pulling on the horse's mouth or having to lean forwards to hold onto the mane.

I LOVE cantering, I would canter all day given the choice :)

[laura jeanne]

Bubblious

The instructor at our stable will start beginners out on the lunge line and the horse will only canter a few strides at a time before going back to trot. That way, you get the feel of the canter a little at a time. You could ask your instructor to try something like that with you.

I have been watching the progress of a few of the kids since their lesson is right before mine. After just a few lessons, even the really young ones are now doing a pretty good canter on their own- I was watching them this morning.

But Karin is right, if you want to put it off for a while yet, there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe you feel the same way I did last year with my previous instructor. We (OH and I) were trotting and cantering and she wanted us to start jumping. We always said no - just not feeling comfortable with it. Then I switched instructors and she helped me with my position which was really bad, I started to get more confident and when she had us trot and canter over poles and then cross rails, it didn't seem like a big deal at all because I felt ready for it. So you should just go at your own pace and when you feel ready, you will want to do it.

Kalypso- I did my first cantering the same way! OH and I were leasing 2 horses last year and we would take them out in the field and one day we just decided to canter and the horses started racing each other and next thing you know, we were flying. We finally decided that wasn't really too safe so we quit cantering them in the field but when we fessed up to our instructor and she started having us canter in our lessons.

[bubblious]

Thanks for that ... knew you lot would be able to offer some words of encouragement :) its not that I don't want to its just that I'm a bit chicken if you know what I mean, .... sit back and relax - just got to remember to breathe as well :D

xx

[Kalypso]

yes! remember to breathe, that can come in very handy ;) :D


laura jeanne: hehe, yeah, i'd already begun to canter in lessons, but was too terrified to keep her going for more than a few strides, i'd tense up, and fall forward in the saddle...and grab the saddle horn for dear life, praying she'd stop! :eek:
After Desaree and I galloped our horses in the field that day, though...I came back to the barn with a huge smile on my face, and our instructor gave us a *what have you girls been up to* look, so first thing I said was: "I'm not afraid to canter anymore, Jen!" hehe

[galadriel]

I have a little advice on cantering here:
http://lorienstable.com/articles/riding/500-learning_to_canter/

[OlavS]

I'd second the advice on lunging. But if you don't have that option, just make sure that you *don't lean forward*, and you'll be fine! I'd say that the ideal way to start cantering it on a horse that can do walk-canter, or at least one that is balanced and can do a slow canter.
So many people learn to canter from sitting trot, but as they don't know the exact aids the horse ends up trotting faster and faster, until finally going from running, bumpy trot to an awful, unbalanced canter on the forehand (which doesn't feel nice at all, and is harder to slow down).
But then again if you've been riding for 8 months you are probably doing sitting trot pretty good, so it shouldn't be too much of a worry. Just don't let the horse run into canter. Slow down and try again.
Best of luck - you'll love it! :D

[Miriam]

Not putting a downer on the lunging of canter but I found I was worse cantering on the lunge than trying to canter on the straight. So if you feel uncomfortable dont hesitate to tell your instuctor. I always found cantering up a hill was better for me, and I found an instructor who said she would only ever teach a person to canter first up a hill :D

I went through the phase of cantering in the riding school, came out and never cantered (unless horse took off with me or it was my first full loan pony four weeks before she went back to her owner) till I bought my own horse Rhi. Started cantering her then could not canter and am just now once again picking the cantering up again.

My prob is I now don't trust cantering in the menage anyone any ideas how to get over this? Also dont want to even think of trying when other horses in the school.

[nakedescapee]

It is a little nerve-racking at first thought, but go on a lunge line and just for a few strides at first... before you know it you will be galloping across the fields! :D

[horse luver876]

ya cantering is kind of hard i dont like to but i have once ona horse i trueted tha t helps a lot also try in a western saddle it is much easier cuz you can hold on to the horn

[izzy18]

Bubblious,
I can't begin to tell you how much you have just cheered me up when I read your post! I've been learning to ride since October last year, and when I add up the amount of hours I have had lessons for it's only 5.5 hours. I've hacked out for 5 hours too all together.
The riding school I use sends us out on a quiet hack suited to your level of experience on a suitable horse one week, then gives a lesson the next. It's great because I get to put into practice on the hack what I have learned in the lessons, and it's nice to 'enjoy' riding and not be under so much pressure as in a lesson.
I was speaking to someone last week who has been riding from being really young (I am in my early 30s and new to riding), and they said I can't believe you've been riding since October and haven't cantered yet! I was a little bit dismayed and said that I would canter when I was ready. I did have a short, inadvertent canter when out on a hack a week ago but that's all!!
My instructor hasn't suggested it in my lessons yet, so I would assume she thinks I'm not ready yet. I'm working hard on rising trot and sitting trot, and doing lots of work without stirrups, and I'm loving it. I look forward to the day when I can canter, cos everyone says it's great, but I'm really keen to get the walking, trotting and steering under control before I do anything else.
Sorry, I've gone on much longer than I meant to! What I really wanted to say, is that you should canter when you feel ready to and enjoy it, not because you have to do it, or because someone else says you should be able to do it by now!
Good luck! and keep posting and let us all know how you get on - it will give me something to aspire to later on!! :D
Izzy
x

[bubblious]

Thanks for all the replies

Izzy ... I'm also 35 and totally new to riding last year and I wanted to be sure that I was confident with the trotting before trying anything else, but that was just me ... and to be honest I do think it is a confidence thing with me, I'm not assertive enough with the horses but I am getting braver.

Now I've made my mind up to actually do it I'm quite looking forward to it :D I shall look forward to hearing all about your first attempt too ;)

Bubb
xx

[Lora]

We started on the lunge doing about a full circle on cantor with instructor doing the directions and all. That was fine. But when the lunge came off (last week in fact) due to switching around. I got a different horse that is a bit more advanced than I am used to. (he's extremely insecure from what I can tell)

At some point while we were waiting, some leaves were rustling outside the arena door and he started quivering in fear. I turned him away from the door and he was fine. The next time we were cantoring around the door he spooked and I wound up landing on his neck behind his head - one foot still lodged up in a stirrup. This frightened me half to death! :eek:

Well, they gave me him again the following Sunday and I was terrified of him. (needlessly) he is very spooky but was doing fine. He's a great horse but needs a really confident rider that forgets easy. hehee

My teacher barked and barked at me to control and steer him while on the cantor and I just kept losing it, him running in the center to stop, or just going off in some other direction. Yelling at us clearly was not working so afterward I had a chat with my intructor telling her there was fear issue. Then she agreed to put me on familiar horses again that are more calm.

If I were a teacher and my student was doing fine in all other aspects and when introduced to a new activity does positively AWFUL, to the point of unsafe I think I would start looking at why. Just my thoughts.

[claude]

I've found the thing I have to do in canter to relax is just really try to enjoy the feeling (its so wonderful!). If I feel myself getting tense or worried I try to slip into inner child mode and think Yee haw - or something equally ridiculous! bit mad - but works for me!

[Scarlett 001]

Good tips here.

A big one for me is just a few strides at a time. I find that the longer I keep going, the more the nerves can build up. But with a few strides, it is all over before nerves can even set in. Then you can build up from there as balance and confidence etc. increase.

[imabrit_us]

Cantering took me ages too . . . I still wouldn't consider myself terribly proficient at it . . . but it does come with time and patience and a sympathetic and encouraging instructor. I agree with the others above that cantering out on a hack is a great way to dip your toe in the water . . . ditto cantering on a lunge line. Having a steady horse is a good idea too . . . there's one at the yard where I ride who I find very easy to canter (bottom stays firmly in the saddle!), but he's not my regular lesson horse (who's harder to canter) so if I want a canter confidence boost, I request him.

Some tips that helped me . . . sit tall, lean back slightly (not really leaning but try and counter the nervous canterer's tendency to lean or curl up in the fetal position!), keep your heels down, allow with your hands (but maintain elastic contact), BREATHE and try and ask for canter from the "right" trot. I've recently been working on transitioning from walk to canter . . . you get a really smooth transition up and it can eliminate the rather bouncy sitting trot which can be unbalancing. I've also been working on steadying the trot up so it's almost walking and then asking for canter . . . same thing, very smooth transition . . . and very smooth canter too. Oh, and make sure you know what aids the horse you're riding expects for canter . . . not all of them respond to outside leg back (slightly) and inside leg on . . . more advanced horses often don't.

Good luck . . . cantering IS fun once you nail it . . . you should have heard me giving whoops of joy as I cantered round the school last week :)

N

[shirley]

My lad did a whoop of joy the other day on a hack out, just before we went into canter and I landed on my feet!!!!! Not quite where I should have been, but got back on and had a brilliant canter up a longish not too steep hill.
As for cantering it is about building up your confidence so as when you do canter you feel ready for it. Like jumping into the swimming pool, takes time to build up to. Once you do it you will so so so proud of yourself and even if it is not such a huge acheivement to some riders, for you it is a momenteous occasion and enjoy it, tell the world and tell us all!!!

Good luck and keep practising and anticipating!!!

[Scarlett 001]

I've recently been working on transitioning from walk to canter . . . you get a really smooth transition up and it can eliminate the rather bouncy sitting trot which can be unbalancing.

Actually, I cantered about 4 weeks ago after an 8 month hiatus. In the past, I always did trot-to-canter transition and found it rather awkward. This most recent time I did walk-to-canter - this horse had this move nailed and it was soooooo smooth. Fabulous as I was not all unbalanced from the sitting trot. If the horse can do this smoothly, I highly recommend it.

[Lora]

I saw my name assigned to his on the schedule board well before the lesson. I decided to quit being a baby and just go with it. Either 1) she forgot AGAIN that I told her he's more horse than I need right now. Or 2) She felt it's a good idea for some mysterious reason. Dummy me decided to trust the pro. In hindsight, I'm thinking it was number 1.

There was a boarder horse in the back of the arena that was rather exuberant on the lunge. Just a small playful kick on the far end sent my schooling horse into a hunched gallop (I think.. not sure) to hide behind the other horse he knows. I stayed on and slowly pulled him into a stop. (of course I yelped like a pup when he went flying) LOL

After this my heart was pounding and realized this is dangerous. The adult in me said screw this, it's not right.. I won't. I pulled in the center and told her no I won't cantor on a lunge with him, I won't cantor at all today - not on him. Lesson is nearly over and stop giving me this flighty horse, I'm not ready for him yet.

The barn manager saw me taking him in and mentioned he's her favorite. I agreed he is awesome but keeps spooking on me and doing unsafe things. She asked if my teacher knew this, I said yes. (I think me refusing this horse right now and she will say something to instructor about this I'm sure) I'm not trying to get her in trouble with the boss but someone needs to impact safety comes before convenience or whatever cause keeps putting me on him.

In her defense. She mentioned that I put on a brave face and still function, even in a panic. And I guess I did but I did talk to her a few times about my reactions and his together not being compatible at this point. She said if I didn't freeze up and not move then I'm functional. Ok, cool.. but I don't want to put myself there again.

[Lora]

Apologies if that made no sense. I thought I was replying on another thread on mature rider part and didn't pay attention.

I was on a roll about a horse that keeps doing scary things for three weeks now. :o

[marjiva]

I love to canter, in fact I have trouble finding other people who like to canter as well. I am surprised being at what a nice gate it is. It is even easier IMO than a posting or extended trot. You get to sit back and enjoy the ride. On the right horse it is like a rocking chair type of motion.
Good luck!

[horseXgirl_]

If your nervous I agree with everyone else on the lunge thing. But, once you do start cantering I think that you'll find it fun, and its not all that faster than a trot, and I find it smoother. But, its fine to take your time if you don't feel comfortable :)

[bubblious]

OK thought I'd better reply to this thread seeing as I started it ... I finally got to do my first bit of cantering :D :D :D had half a dozen goes now, as you all said it wasn't that much faster than a trot, but I did feel that I was bouncing up and down and banging all over the poor horses back.

I didn't get to use a lunge, this is kind of hard to explain but .... I trotted round and then when we got to the corner did sitting trot and then put my reins in the outside hand and held on with the other, kind of dropped my outside leg back behind the girth and gave him a tap and off he went .... I'm sure it'll get easier with practice but I pity the poor horse I shall be practising on :o


xxx

[ponylover88]

z z

[roxycutie]

Once you start cantering, you are really going to enjoy it. Just remember to sit back. :D

[horseygal90]

I didn't get to use a lunge, this is kind of hard to explain but .... I trotted round and then when we got to the corner did sitting trot and then put my reins in the outside hand and held on with the other, kind of dropped my outside leg back behind the girth and gave him a tap and off he went .... I'm sure it'll get easier with practice but I pity the poor horse I shall be practising on :o



That's it! Don't worry, it will get easier (says she who now can not for the life of her seem to sit to a canter... dunno why.) as you get more experienced!