Having the confidence to let go...

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

In canter... when & why did you feel you were ready to let go of the saddle/neckstrap/mane when you were learning canter?
I'm still struggling with canter, i still bounce but getting there abit now but I'm worried I'm holding myself back as I'm the only one in my lesson who holds on to the saddle and If you add up the no.of years I've been riding I've been riding far longer than the others in my lesson . Just wondering if I should just let go and get on with it... just worried I'll fly off If I do even though mum said I looked fine last week, I know I'm still not going properly with the horse (my aim for tomorrow is to try and move my hips with the horse, i tried last time but just couldn't get it, its like my body doesn't follow my brain lol). I was also wondering if holding the front of the saddle is blocking me from moving with the horse as my arms are forced in front of me! Would I be better taking a piece of mane instead? (we don't seem to use neckstraps so i dont think thats an option!)

Advice/experiences would be very muchly appreciated, cookies for reading!

[*GroovyGallop*]

I think eventually there will just come a point where you don't even need to question letting go, because it will just feel 'right.' Maybe your concentrating too much on grabbing that saddle because you think your going to fall? Which is completley understandable, canter can be a really tricky gait to pick up and its impossible to determine a time span for how long it takes, it all just depends . Is the horse you ride a particular bouncy horse? I found my confidence went flying up when i cantered a horse which had an incredibley smooth canter, I just felt so much more secure and relaxed, I rode her for about 5 lessons so then I found it alot easier when i went back to riding the bouncier horses. Don't feel pressured by your group just because they arent holding the neckstrap because they've all been what your going through too, maybe first try letting go of the saddle with your inside hand, so you still have your outside for steering and just progress from there good luck and just remember to breeeeaaaathhhee!.

[littlepony]

Holding onto to the saddle etc can actually unbalance you and make you lean forward. Let go and lean back on a long side of the school and you will feel the difference - it will seem smoother.