Trot-canter transition on non-english trained horse! Help please!

[Scarlett 001]

Ugh! I am struggling to get this one horse into canter. He is primarily western trained. His owner says he does not know the canter cue of putting the outside leg back etc. Shadow responds to a canter transition asked for by collection and shortening of reins and a kissing noise.

He has a known tendency to do a fast trot and not go into canter readily, but still I am struggling even more than I should. And then the couple of times we started a canter he had the wrong lead. I am leaning forward when the fast trot happens as it makes me nervous, and things fall apart even more at that point of course.

My trainer wants to get him to learn to recognize the leg going back, but for now I am still struggling. Any tips or advice on how to get a better transition based on what I have described. (of course, I will try and stop the leaning forward).

[Bay Mare]

I'm probably not the best person to answer this but here's my thoughts:

If he trots faster and faster bring him back to a slower, more balanced trot and try again.

If he doesn't recognise the 'leg back' cue for canter then he won't be getting the importance of the leg back to strike off on the correct lead. Does that make sense? I'd start by getting him to recognise the leg back cue and take it from there.

I don't know how feasible it is but could you use the 'western' cue but add in the 'leg back' so that he starts to associate it with being an aid for canter. Gradually lose the kiss etc until you're going off the leg. You may need to over-exaggerate the leg aid to start with.

Would doing a direct transition from walk to canter help any? It's easier for some horses even though it tends to be seen as a more advanced move. It can also be easier for the rider as you aren't contending with the 'bounce' that trot inevitably gives :)

When you're hacking out use the leg back cue when you go to canter.

Good luck :D

[maren]

when you ask him to canter try combining your outside leg aid with another, more recognizable aid...ask him to canter from a circle or coming out of a corner and lift you're inside rein while he's bent or you can ask him to canter on a straight line and bend him towards the outside (blocking the outside shoulder from striking off on the wrong lead)...if you consistently combine multiple aids with the outside leg aid he should start to pick up the correct lead himself.
as for the fast trot...it's really hard for a horse to canter out of a running trot, because they are too unbalanced...ask from a slower, more collected trot and bring him back to one if he gets strung out. it will also be easier for him to balance and use his back end if you sit up tall when you ask for the transition and push with your seat. good luck!

[Grace O'Malley]

What they said...

I've had this trouble too :( and not necessarily solved it :o But I'd suggest go ahead and kiss to him as you give the outside leg back cue. Other things that can help are asking in the corner, and keep some pressure with the inside leg at the girth.

Good luck :D

Grace