Horse does 3 beat, I do 6 beat! HELP!

[Katie Anderson]

Hello!
I really need to get the hang of my canter using Heathers canter methods, I know it works, but, I don't know excatly (sp) when to flex in then out. Do you flex in as the horses' feet come off the ground? I basically need an answer like 'you flex on supension, then to straight as the two legs touch the ground'. It would be ideal if it's from someone who has been on Heather course who does actually sit by these methods. It's all very well saying relax your back, roll your hips etc. But it doesn't work for thicko here:D :rolleyes:
So anyone willing?!
Cheers.
Luv Katie

[Katie Anderson]

It's all quiet here........

[ros]

That's probably because everyone's racking their brains thinking "what exactly DOES happen in canter!!?"

All right - let's see. I had a bash on Heather's canter simulator, and the trick is to remember that the horse comes UP underneath you. As his outside hind tucks under him his front end is up; then you ride the wave, and as he rocks onto his inside fore your back is hollowing to allow your seat bones to move back with him; then the moment of suspension, and the front end is jumping up again as the outside hind comes under again, and so on. As the front end is coming up, your lower back is rounding to allow your seat bones to come up and forward.

Psychologically I think it's totally the opposite of this "polishing the saddle" business - that makes you think heavy and down, whereas Heather makes you think about allowing the horse to spring up and forward.

It's not a very good explanation but it's the best I can do. Come on then, everyone - help me out here!

[Katie Anderson]

It's not easy is it?!:o :D I also have a post in Heathers part of the forum, under 'Bouncy bouncy' I think I've sussed it after watching video tape of me and famous riders, it was quite surprising. I noticed that I can always sit to it when the horse goes onto it's inside fore, and I was straight, but other times I was thrown into the air, so I figured I flex then. I also can now recall the first time I sat to canter, and I realise that is how I done it. Of course I am likely to be wrong. What do you think Ros?..... where's Heather when you need her?! HEATHER!!
Luv to all.:p

[ros]

What do I think? I think I've been trying to picture EXACTLY what I do to sit to canter ever since I posted my first reply! Isn't it funny - I do know exactly what I do in trot, but when it comes to canter...

When I analyse it in my mind I still think I was right first time, but when I just think about how it actually feels I have my doubts. I still reckon you have to think about the "uphill" quality of the canter. Maybe I'll go away and have a look at some videos too - I'll get back to you!

[skye]

Can't really help you with the flexing bit.My horse has a really deep controlled canter which you can sit to and move with perfectly with.If you can (and its safe to) close your eyes and lsiten to the foot falls of the horse and really relax you body so it will move better with the horse.

Ros,
thought you might like an update on evading the bit? We have persevered (sp)? with riding with no contact and he is not evading so much.I have started introducing some contact with his mouth for short periods of time and he is responding beautifully.I have also had a really good look inside his mouth.The roof of his mouth is very low and his tongue very large.Most bits i've tried on him hit the top of his mouth.I have spoken to heather a the bit bank and she has been looking at rubber pelhams with a thiner mouth piece.The happymouth and flexi-mouth are thinner so i'm going to give one of them a go! I have also been reading heather moffet's kinderway and have started ridin with much longer stirrups.I can now apply the leg aids more effectively and have found i can sit better in the saddle.
Thanks for your help ros i'm very greatful!

[Katie Anderson]

Will I ever get the answer I am looking for!!
Thank you for your tip Skye, but I don't think it will help!!
I've got you going now haven't I ros!!:D I have noticed something in the picture of Heather riding Spanish Silver on pg 67 of her book. Spanish is on his inside hind and outside fore, and Heather is flexing, so it's pretty darn obvious you flex then!:D
Canter is very much an 'upward bound' pace in my opinion. As it said I ALWAYS bounce when the inside hind touches down, except straight at the beginning. I have only sat to the inside hind and outside fore very few times indeed. As for when the inside fore bit, I always sit to that, my back is usually straight, BUT, sometimes my tailbone is tucked under too.
I REALLY need an answer to this! But this is my guess (a wary one at that:rolleyes: )
Outside hind = flex
Inside hind and outside fore = flex
Inside fore = flex
Suspension = straight.

If only there were shots of Heather riding in all phases of canter! All our probs would be solved!! If we can do this it'll will be brilliant!:D until then........:(

[ros]

Skye - sounds like you're doing really well! Keep it up and don't forget to keep us posted. (I found Heather at hte bitbank very helpful too.)

Katie - yes you B----- well have!!!!!! I'm now going to go and look at p67 of my Heather book. When I've done that I'm going to make a mental note to ask her tomorrow in my lesson. That's assuming Merlin gets in his box like a good boy! Watch this space!

[Katie Anderson]

How did your lesson go ros? Did Merlin get in the box?! I have given up with the canter thing, I suppose I could try what I said in the above post.
Going back to your first post. You say about the horses front end is coming up, but I was a little thrown by the 'rounding of the lower back' do you mean hollowing? It's just to round the lower back, it seems to me to mean 'tuck your tail under' which does round the lower spine.
The light at the end of the tunnel is rapidly disappearing! Will I ever get to sit to the canter....
How about this maybe it'll make it easier. What about saying you flex in first beat, then second beat, instead of the sequence of footfalls?
I hope some one can help me!!!!!
Bye bye.
:(

[ros]

Yeah, I know what you mean! It's like the centipede & his 100 legs!

I shouldn't have said "rounding" the lower back. All we're talking about is the movement of the pelvis - as you tilt it forward your back hollows slightly; as you bring it back upright the lower back straightens.

I've been watching Heather again just now. If you avoid the heinous crimes of "polishing the saddle" and "rowing" with the shoulders, what you're left with is a very nice, easy, unobtrusive flexing of the lower back and pelvis. The seatbones stay (pretty much) where they are in the saddle - not sliding backwards and forwards, although the impulsion of the horse's movement naturally produces a little movement - and the whole impression is one of stillness.

I reckon that on the whole, like the centipede, you shouldn't think about it too much. Just go with the flow for now, and I'll follow suit!

Merly's lesson yesterday was postponed due to unfavourable wind conditions! He doesn't travel very well, and we decided that it wasn't worth upsetting him by boxing him in strong winds, so we'll try again next Sat. and I'll remember to ask!

[Sapphire]

Hello Ros, I've changed my name. I am fed up but I will try two options which are in Bouncy Bouncy in the E.E forum. Please don't remind me of heinous crimes, I am too guility for polishing the saddle, poor b***** horse. As you will notice I am somewhat down. I've tried going with the flow, sitting without stirrups, different horses, trying and not trying. I did buy a seatbone saver, but I am wary I'll become far to reliant on it.

I am sorry you and Merlin didn't get to go to Heather, it is very windy here too!! I'll be moving down to Devon in about 2/3 months.

Does Heather cover canter work in her first video so you know? It sucks because I am nice and quiet in the saddle in sitting trot, but I wish and pray for the canter I had once experienced, which I KNOW was done by flexing the back!! GGRRRRRR.......

Anyway I'll keep everyone updated, as I hope to have a lesson soon, maybe I'll have a massive break through. Let me know how you and Merlin go on Saturday!!

Take care. Luv to all.

[ros]

Yes, Heather does cover canter in her video.

Whereabouts in Devon are you moving to? Oh, and don't worry about becoming reliant on the seatbone saver - if it works, what the hell!