Improving Canter?

[Lucyad]

Went to first SJ training last night. I knew that we need to improve canter, but being in a small arena with 3 other nicely collected horses and 4 jumps emphasised just how much! Our transitions are gradually improving (picked up right lead each time, despite me saying to instructor that we didnt do right canter - got a lot of stick for that!), though when flustered, particularly if we have dropped down to trot for a tight turn then need to re-establish canter before a jump, I am terribly guilty of throwing away contact and leaning forwards (as if it will make us go faster!:confused: ).

What we really need though, is a set of exercises we can practice to improve maintaining the canter, and to try and improve impulsion, collect it and lighten it. Just now our canter has slow rhythm, long strided, very lopey. Oscar is very lazy, not much natural impulsion.

Our trot was greatly improved by doing things like 15m and 20m circles, spiral circles with leg yeild, straight leg yeild, rein changes etc. I now need a similar set of things to practice at canter. Any suggestions?

[Waikato Valuta]

Practice Practice Practice!!!

It’s the only way, you need to built up the correct muscles and rebalance your horse. I find grid work helps.

One of the best exercises is to place two or three jumps roughly 4 strides apart and then try to get 3, 4 or 5 strides between the jumps. Then try it with a distance of 2, 3, 5, 6 strides.

I could go into all the sit back, deepen your seat, keep your legs on ext, but that’s never helped me. I need exercises not just theory, but you might be helped by that sort of thing.

I also find doing a series of trot, canter, trot, canter, trot, canter can help.

The more canters you do the better you will become. Try cantering out hacking, and even letting your horse canter at his own speed before trying to work him in more collection.

My horse gets fizzy when I first canter so letting him do a few laps of the arena in his own way is a help, but some horses would just get to hot after this and never come back to you.

Experiment with your horse, also this sort of thing can take a long time. You are both used to going in a certain way and changing that can be hard work.

Getting regular lesson with a good instructor is probably the best way to improve.

Good luck.