The simplest ideas are always the best... training a young horse to canter

[fitz]

This may be blindingly obvious to some of you...

I've been struggling with my canter transitions on Werner for the last couple of weeks. He knows the voice command from lunging and I was using the 'establish a good trot, sit and ask in corner of school' approach. This resulted in Werner becoming extremely unbalanced, my bouncing around on his back and him throwing a buck when we eventually got canter to make his discomfort known. I even lost stirrups a couple of times and I never lose my stirrups. I left it for a while and was talking to my friend a few days ago, and she suggested I go into a light seat in trot and then ask...

Brilliant! Why oh why didnt I think of that???

The result: perfect transitions with the correct leg every time and no bucking! He just isnt strong enough yet for the sit down transition.

So if anyone else has this problem, this could be a good approach to building up the fitness for the canter transition without the discomfort for the poor horse.

[Peanut]

Fits thank you so much for that tip as I have exactly the same problem with my 4 year old, although decidedly more so on the left rein than the right, and she can put in a whopping buck. Admittedly she also finds the correct canter lead difficult on the lunge on the left rein.

I have also found that sometimes I ask too positively and I think maybe she bucks for that reason - sometimes one can forget just how sensitive a young horse and I have to keep everything so quiet.

It's amazing how a simple adjustment can make all the difference. Any other tips gratefully received :D

[Jay.o]

By light seat, do you mean kind of standing in the stirrups in a forward position? Taking your bum out of the saddle, so it doesnt effect their striding/balance?

My youngster is an ex-trotter racer and built to trot. She is half French Trotter and cantering isnt her strong point (trot however...).

She finds it hard to get into canter but once she's there, shes ok, just.

Thanks

[fitz]

By light seat, do you mean kind of standing in the stirrups in a forward position? Taking your bum out of the saddle, so it doesnt effect their striding/balance?



Thats exactly what I mean!
I'm glad I posted this now, as I knew it was uncomfortable for Werner and now I know he understood what I was asking but just not strong enough to do it.

[Rips]

Great :)
It makes a bit more sense, because you're asking for an upward transition - the only thing you'd worry about was him getting the right leg, which he has done so :D

[Jay.o]

Thats exactly how I think Mysy feels. She understands what I am asking her to do, but just *cant* do it yet. She does get frustrated and I think thats when she bucks in the first stride and then will continue to canter.

Babies, huh? Wouldnt swap her for the world though....

How long have you had your youngster?

[fitz]

How long have you had your youngster?

Since he was born! He's five now but very green. He's only really been worked the last two months but he's doing great. I'm absolutely dead chuffed with him. Now I've decided to keep him rather than sell him I'm enjoying the work a bit more myself as well.

[Peanut]

.

Babies, huh? Wouldnt swap her for the world though....



Not for anything.

I know she's trying her heart out for me but she just can't get it right yet - a bit like the jumping I posted about yesterday.