Canter aids??Need help??????

[unicorndanca]

Can anyone give me easy to understand instructions on the correct canter aids e.g: which leg and where and which rein????? I am not up to this part in my lessons yet but would like to understand them in my head first. Also on these forums persons mention so much how bad it is to so call 'kick' your horse to make them go. Why is it better to use a crop/whip to reinforce than a 'kick'?

[Hannibo]

inside leg on the girth outside lrg just behind the girth!

[LindaAd]

and raise the inside hand slightly - don't pull on the rein. A nudge from one leg should tell the horse to canter; I think the correct way is the outside leg, because the horse strikes off with this leg first, but some instructors say use the inside leg, and some horses prefer that. Better ask your instructor. If you use both legs at once, you'll probably get a faster trot. Sit up straight, and don't tip your weight forward, or pull or flap with the reins - all those things will make the horse stop cantering..... These are all things I've been told. Get them all right at once, and it works!

An easier way is to try over a little jump - most horses canter on landing; or out on a hack - when the others canter, yours will probably canter too without waiting to be asked!

[JumperGirl]

hi,
the way i was to is-

to get the horse into an active trot- dont let him "run" into the transition.

and try to ask in a corner, its easier, make sure you have the horse bent to the inside, or else he might pick up the wrong lead.

a few strides before you want to canter, sit trot, and dont lean forward, put you inside leg on the girth, put your outside leg back, and squeeze with the outside.

thats the way i have to do it, because the horse i ride doesnt need much encouraging!
good luck!

[unicorndanca]

Thanks for all of your helpful instructions but what are the canter aids for if you are just trail/pleasure riding (just going in a straight line)?

[LindaAd]

The same, unicorndanca. You just imagine which rein you're on - or decide by the next bend: if the trail turns right, be on the right rein. Oh, and a half-halt - just tell the horse to halt, and then to move on straight away - is helpful in telling him that a canter's coming, and helping to balance him.

[unicorndanca]

Have been trying all your easy to understand instructions but am confused and probably my horse too. As I have never asked him for canter with these aids I don't think he understands me??? Is he spose to know if he hasnt been taught them or does he have to be taught them????

[smartie]

My suggestion would be not to attempt it, you obviously are alittle confised and wait until you have one to one lessons, otherwise both you and your horse will get absolutely no where and then things will get out of hand totally.

Stop NOW!

[muzzy]

The problem I have is that I tip foward when I go into canter, my instructor says I need to anticipate the horses movement more! :( This has not really helped solve the problem though!:D and if I start of canter out of kilter, I generally end up bouncing around! Has anyone got any ideas please??
Thanks,
muzzy

[Lilly Harvey]

my instructer tells me to put my weight on the inside stirrup, when asking for canter, but I haven't seen that mentioned, so is it right.
Sorry this is no help to u,but I used to lean forward as well, with out knowing it, I stopped doing it, but on my lesson on Sat I leaned forward again weird

[Elfin]

I don't have a problem with leaning forward, I used to lean back to much in canter, but I don't anymore, so thats allright.
On Saturday I cantered some 20m circles, it was really good fun!