cantering and neck straps!

[sophie33]

I have spent the last two lessons trying to get my horse to canter. I get a few strides and then she stops. I am a complete novice and although I've cantered a few times out on hacks actually learning how to do it is a new experience. Even so I don't think its all my fault as she is reknowned as being a pretty slow lazy horse.
However, it is partly my fault because I tend to focus all my attention when I get to the crucial corner on clutching the neck strap rather than thinking about what I'm doing with my legs and the reins. This week I really wanted to do better and was thinking I might be better off forgetting the neck strap and just concentrating on sitting straight pushing with my legs (after all I can clutch the strap later it if necessary). I know that objectively it should be possible to hold the neckstrap and do all the other things - but I can only concentrate on a few things at once - also I think I encourage the mindset of 'oh god now all hell is going to break loose' with my single minded neckstrap grasping!
Any advice - am I likely to fall off if I don't clutch the only time I've cantered without a neckstrap I've been told to grasp the front of the saddle. Any other tips on how to get the horse to canter, relax while i'm doing it etc.
Thanks

[katefarmer]

I usually teach canter asking people to hold the *front of the saddle rather than a neckstrap, because a neckstrap can swing your upper body too far forward, pushing down on the horse's forehand and killing the energy. As you say you are getting the transition, then losing the canter a couple of strides later, this sounds a likely scenario in your case.

The reason for holding onto something is a) to help you balance and b) so you don't jag the horse in the mouth if you start to lose your balance. As long as there is something you can hold if you feel you need to, (and not the reins! :) ) I wouldn't insist on you holding on. Another option is to hold the front of the saddle with one hand (the one on the inside of the circle is best).

*Another technique is to hold the front of the saddle with the inside hand and the back of the saddle (the cantle) with the outside hand. This helps keep you balanced in the middle of the saddle whilst still having a good grip just in case! I would use the two-handed front and back method on the lunge/in the roundpen to get someone started off so they have the feel of canter, then go to one hand when they are cantering loose in the school.

Why not discuss it with your instructor and see what he/she suggests?

Good luck and keep at it! It does get easier with practice!

Kate
www.harmony-project.net

[Ap Nudd]

I get a few strides and then she stops.

I've experienced this too.

I'm an adult newbie (been having weekly lessons for about seven months), and I seem to have had a breakthrough last week. Before then, my pony would canter one-and-a half or maybe two sides of the school, then drop back down to trot.

What has really helped me is lots of trotting without stirrups, for the past six weeks or so. This has definitely improved my balance and my posture and strengthened my legs. Be warned, though - it really stretches your legs from hips right down to toes, and I thought it was very hard work when I first tried it, and quite painful afterwards. Don't overdo it initially.

Last week, after 20 minutes or so of no stirrups, I replaced the stirrups, then asked for canter. We managed to keep up a nicely-paced canter for three times round the whole school - a personal record! My instructor said it was because my legs were now in a better position and working independently, staying on the pony - they were not just hanging there or flapping ineffectually - and I sit up straighter now.

I still have to keep one hand holding the front of the saddle, though, so I can pull myself deeper into the saddle if I start to feel I'm bouncing. I find it easier to grasp the saddle and balance myself before asking for canter.

I hope this helps.

[sophie33]

Thanks, that is very helpful. I've just started again (6 or 7 weeks so far) and it has all been with stirrups. But at my old place where I had lessons for a short time they were very keen on sitting trotting without stirrups. Overall the new place is better, but I do feel like some work without stirrups would help me. Thanks to Kate too, I'll discuss your ideas with my teacher on Friday, and see what she says.

[lizzy]

Snap! I use a neck strap just like you. Why? Because when I started to ride 4 years ago I started out with one. Why do I need it now? Because I can't manage without out it when I ask for the transition to canter. Which is a load of rubbish as it doesn't help me at all. The trouble is with a neck strap it's very hard to break the habit once you've started it.

I think you ought to take Ap Nudd's advice and try to improve your balance and then try to do without it.

I think it is like a superstition thing with me now, I also grab for it when I go to jump. Does it stop me falling off? No!

One day I'll give it up :eek:

[PromiseMe]

Try it without the neckstrap! That little neckstrap is not going to help you stay in the saddle...your legs are! And leaning forward is only going to unbalance you even more! Id much rather sit tall and deep in my full seat than lean forward! (Of course when I started cantering, I had a nasty habbit of jumping into my two point!)

Like you, I started/learnt how to canter on a really lazy horse. I dont like it. These were horses...that you could ask 100% correctly, and they still wouldn't do it for you. What a confidence killer for a beginner...who than thinks they CANT ask for the canter properly. Thats how I felt! Although in the long run, when you master asking them and getting THEM to do it, you can ask any horse to canter!
Id say go ride a push button horse for now, nothing wrong with it at all, a horse taht will canter when you ask...so that you do not have to worry about 'oh he wont canter!' it really helps a lot.

I know this is such a typical recommendation and youve probably heard it before - but consider asking your instructor to start you cantering on the lungeline. This way you just gotta worry aobut staying and sitting pretty and balanced, you dont have to worry about her not picking up the canter!

[entreat]

I thought holding the pommel tilts you forward too far? I found this when I was learning (or just being a whimp :o). Then I put on a Monkey strap. You attach some nice sturdy string, like bailing twine or some small rope, to the front two dee rings on the pommel. Make it loose enough so you can hold your hands in the correct height, and you can loosen it as you need it less. I hold mine in with the reins, and adjust the reins as required.

As for cantering, ensure you have a proper contact the whole time. I've ridden some horses that will drop canter when you drop the reins - probably a good thing ;)