****canter Problems****

[julichicka]

I started riding English and am having serious trouble sitting a canter for some reason. I've cantered before, but all of the sudden i just can't balance. Perhaps its because i started riding a pony? What happens is i get the pony into a canter, start losing my balance, squeeze him for support, he speeds up, i try to slow him down, get real sloppy, feet fall out of sturips, almost fall off, yadda yadda yadda. my confidence is trashed. im really nervous now. im going to do a cantering private with my instructor, but im really nervous! :( help!

[casey]

Hey, we have all been there at one time or another.
I think your doing the right thing having an instructor to help you. ;)

I can only imagine the English saddle is showing up any imbalances you may already have. :)

Good luck for the canter lesson

[julichicka]

thanks i still havent taken my lesson though.....

[tbtess]

Hi I have canter problems too. I've ridden on and off for 17 years and owned 2 horses when i was younger. I had a 5 year break when i had my daughter and during this break lost alot of confidence. I started taking lessons again in feb and this helped loads, i've now got my own horse again but when i bought her the canter fear came back. It took me some time to canter and its not something i do regularly to be honest.
One of the things my instrutor told me (i used to squeeze too and it really doesn't help!), she told me (although its not the correct way to do it) until you get a little more confident with the canter try to push your feet in front of you to hold your bum in the saddle, it really helped me, just don't get used to riding like that! It helped me get the feel of the canter and i got a much more controlled canter from it 2 which was a bonus.
I think the lesson is a great idea. Ponies are quite bouncy also but maybe the saddle is not quite right for you, we are all different. Sort the lesson and stay relaxed, it will come to you in the end. Remember, patience is a virtue. You can do it
Good luck and sorry for the essay!

[Sámie]

It happened to me but I solved mine. Some horses have bumpy canters but my horse has a lovely canter its so easy to sit to and because he got bored, he started trotting with his front legs and cantering with his back and its so unbalanced because now he puts his head down, I dont know what happened but i tapped him on his front legs and then he didnt do it then he snatched his head down and stopped so now I have to collect him into a slow trot then push him into a canter. you just have to collect him up. hope this helps!

[julichicka]

thanks fo rthe advise guys i have a private lesson booked for next thrusday ill be sure to tell you all how it turns out!! :D