Cantering.

[pipgibson]

Hey All,
First of all I must say what a brilliant idea this new section is. ;D

I have a problem at the moment...... I have not cantered Harly since I had a nasty fall on the beach just before Christmas. Now we are doing more and getting out and about I really need to get him cantering..

The problem being is I am scared stiff I am going to fall off what with him bucking and leaping about.. He has had back and saddle checked, Also teeth have been done. So what do I do???
I need to get him cantering in the next few weeks as there is a show I really want to go to that has a very novice ridden class and you only have to canter when you do your own little show not with all the other's..

Any Idea's?

[amarche]

Hi pip - do you have any uphill tracks you can perhaps ask for a canter on? I personally find going uphill gives me a bit more confidence (in my head if they buck then I'm level!) and perhaps take it from there? keep it short and sweet and positive.
also rescue remedy - great help for horse and rider

This is what works for me so it might be a load of waffle for anyone else, but I try not to have an agenda when riding, in the back of my head I might decide that I'll give xyz a go today if everything is set up right, I find that if I leave the yard thinking I must do xyz, I'll transfer that anxiety across and have a really naff time and certainly no closer to acheiving what I wanted and probably knocking my confidence in the process.



btw and slightly off topic - is it right that your horse went to Grant's? (mine did too!) I'm sure he could help aswell

[emmab]

hi pip.
do u have anywhere you can take him thats got a good uphill stretch? thinking that this would make it difficult for him to buck and he would tire much quicker - then you can work on the canter once he's settled? if you do have an area like this to work uphill initially it would make your life easier and the novelty would wear off a bit for him, making it not quite so 'whoopie!; and hence helping your confidence too.
if not, i would work in an enclosed area and specifically on the canter transition - one stride then back to trot, then p'raps 2 strides, back to trot and so on. ask for canter mid circle, mid rein change etc so its not predictable to him and he cant anticipate. if you worked him like this for a while and work canter into your schooling he should begin to become more assertive and be waiting for your next command rather than seeing canter as an excuse to have a hooley.
my sister used to suffer terribly with nerves and has a young pony who finds everything thats new very exciting, so know where you're coming from and can understand your worry but once you've done a few times and he's sensible, you'll get far more confident again and i'm sure you'll be the one wanting to go for a blast in no time.
good luck xx

[wozzer]

Hi pip, I would say the same as I said in the other thread about cantering in large spaces.

Trot, and when you are sure he is steady, quietly slip into a canter for a few yards, then ask for trot again. And, echoing others, definitely don't feel you have to canter, only if it feels right, and if it doesn't then you don't need to canter ;D Don't stress yourself out with it too much honey, like if you don't canter it is a really big deal because, in the scheme of things, it isn't really.

I had to deal with a friend, when I got Lincoln nearly 3 years ago, who used to make jibes like "have you cantered him yet" like it was the be all and end all . When I think about that now, I know that there is no way she would dare canter on my horse ;D, not that he's naughty or anything LOL!

Anyway, I've seen your dressage shots, you look a fab rider, but I can understand why you are a little anxious if you haven't cantered for a while. Good luck and let us know how you get on ;D

[pipgibson]

Thanks Alot Guy's. ;D

We only have a beach but as the weather is turning nice there are people every-where.

So what I have thought is to do abit in our outdoor school. Just a few strides then back to trot then try again etc....

Thanks and I will let you all know how we get on.

[julz]

Yup, if you do that then it will also get him listening to you, and you could then get his transitions going more smoothly!

I might try my first canter tomorrow...... and then again, i might not!!

;D ;D