How to keep horse cantering

[winterbalto]

I have a little problem with the horse that I'm shareboarding. It's really hard to keep her at a fast trot or at a canter! It's especially hard at the canter. After a couple attempts I can get her into it but keeping her going is another thing. She very quickly breaks down to the trot. I've realised that she responds very well to a crop but the thing is I hate using a crop! It throws off my hands and my fingers feel so weird. Whichever hand it's in is always in an akward position and I can't steer well with it so I eventually throw it on the floor. It's silly I know. So sometimes I hit her lighty with the reins which work sortof but she will still break down to the trot. So what else can I do? How can I make her more alert to when I want to canter and keep cantering without me tapping her with a crop?

~Nicole

[No_Angel]

You could concentrate on your transtion in to canter, then only canter a little way before you bring her back into trot, then circle and ask for canter again in the next corner.
Whe you have got this right try cantering for a little longer, or try cantering out on hacks.
Hope this helps

[hApPiNeSs]

are you sure she isnt on the forehand? From experience i know that if a horse is on the forehand in canter it will keep breaking into trot :)

[shirley]

My cob will drop to trot out of canter whenever he can - cob by name cob my nature!!! Our solution is a long whip and not a hard smack but one to remind him to stay in canter until asked for trot. Sounds as though I beat my dear friend black and blue - please no so the case. Just a tickle for him really to let him know to respect me and what has been asked of him. Of course if he is on the wrong leg you feel it and drop back to trot and then ask again on the right leg etc. Once he knew I meant what I was asking he now does keep going until trot is asked for. This did not take long to acheive, but did need consistent effort. Also stronger legs to keep him going have had to be acheived and seat aid too. So as he has got better so have I got stronger too.