Affected by opinions?

[Jinx94]

A while ago I put up a post about conquering nerves prior to getting in the saddle. My loan horse is great and stands like a rock at the block (apparently he's notorious for not standing at the block/walking off the moment you're in the air, but he's been an angel for me).

Since I had been planning on loaning him, I've been told by numerous people that when he goes into canter, he really goes and you just have to hang on. Up until today (unfortunately including today) we had only been working on walk and trot as he isn't particularly fit and my core is rubbish! Today I planned to ask for canter, and the moment I prepared he started really using his hind end, lifted off the forehand and carried himself beautifully. He was the most forward that I have ever had him and I bottled at the last second.

This stupid little niggly voice popped up in my head and said "what if he does sod off and you can't do anything? What if you don't even manage to stay in the saddle?"

I'm annoyed at myself and think that next time I'll just have to bite the bullet. If I can't psyche myself up to canter a horse that I know, how can I hope to do it with any others?

 

[Goldenstar]

Are you cantering other horses ?
And could you get an experienced friend to canter him so you can see what happens

 

[Theocat]

Not foolish - completely understandable. But to be honest I'd take it with a pinch of salt; it's better to judge horses (and humans!) on what you see yourself

Next time, just take a deep breath, and a good grip on the front of the saddle or a Jesus strap, and trust the horse. For all you know, he's just "forward" rather than simply bimbling long - you'll probably find you enjoy it!

 

[Foxy O]

You might be better off the first time you canter to do it on a fairly narrow track with a calm sensible horse in front that won't kick. That way if you feel like he is going to tank off you can ask the other rider to come back to walk and just aim your horse at the other horses bottom so he will have to stop.

 

[skint1]

Aw I am so sorry, I think for you the best thing to do is just try again next time, there's no pressure to do it until you feel ready is there?

 

[Flicker]

I would maybe try in a school first, with someone on the ground with you and a balance rein on the saddle, or a running martingale. Or even on the lunge (although my last horse used to love a buck and a play on the lunge when I asked for canter, so maybe not lol).
You have heard it might happen, so you can be prepared for it, but try not to anticipate it.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on!

 

[eahotson]

Don't always listen to other people.They may have their own agendas.They may not be as experienced as you.

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Bear in mind that other peoples versions of tanking off are often in reality a forward going horse that they find frightening because they're not experienced enough to know the difference That happens a lot in the horse world I find!

 

[Spring Feather]

It doesn't sound like you are ready to canter so it's probably a good job you didn't (although if I were the owner it wouldn't thrill me with joy to see my horse ridden like this). Go back a few steps and if necessary are you able to ride a quiet, less forward going horse for a bit so that you can learn canter?

 

[blowsbubbles]

You might be better off the first time you canter to do it on a fairly narrow track with a calm sensible horse in front that won't kick. That way if you feel like he is going to tank off you can ask the other rider to come back to walk and just aim your horse at the other horses bottom so he will have to stop.

This, and choose a sloping hill to start with too. However don't until you feel comfortable. Work on your transitions a lot while schooling to get him apart and listening, esp half halts most of all enjoy it thou

 

[Jinx94]

Just to clarify for everyone, I use the word "loan" pretty loosely - I loan him from the college, get to ride him a couple of times a week and muck him out/do nets/water twice daily. I'm also free to pull/trim/tidy him up and am taken more seriously than many other students when I have concerns.

I've been riding for about 15 years on and off, possibly a bit under 10 years if I squish the time together but in the last few years I have only ridden polo or ex polo ponies. I did have a rather scary fall in 2013, but have most of my confidence back. I'll gladly get on almost any horse (that I don't see to be pratting about before I'm on it) as long as I haven't been told if it naps/bucks/rears, if I don't know about the behaviours then I just deal with them if they are presented.

With regards to things like core strength and general fitness, I injured my shoulder last February (displaced tendon) and had it operated on at the end of June. I'm awful at exercising and would much prefer to be riding/doing any yard duties.

Are you cantering other horses ?
And could you get an experienced friend to canter him so you can see what happens

Not at the moment, but will see if I can get some saddle time on something that I'm sure will not rush off. We did have a carriage driving competition going on which meant that I was in the outdoor arena and Xenon was a little on his toes once everything was being unloaded; college horses were also being put on and taken off of the walker and he wasn't completely focused. I'll see if I can get my friend to ride him

Not foolish - completely understandable. But to be honest I'd take it with a pinch of salt; it's better to judge horses (and humans!) on what you see yourself

Next time, just take a deep breath, and a good grip on the front of the saddle or a Jesus strap, and trust the horse. For all you know, he's just "forward" rather than simply bimbling long - you'll probably find you enjoy it!

Thank you! I am working on getting him moving forward, but he ambles around so much and is so difficult to get going that the sudden change was a bit surprising!

You might be better off the first time you canter to do it on a fairly narrow track with a calm sensible horse in front that won't kick. That way if you feel like he is going to tank off you can ask the other rider to come back to walk and just aim your horse at the other horses bottom so he will have to stop.

Good idea about the horse in front, thank you! we're working in a school though and I won't be able to hack him out until I've done my riding and road safety. At that point I can hack him out accompanied by a member of staff, and I know that he's foot perfect when hacked out

Aw I am so sorry, I think for you the best thing to do is just try again next time, there's no pressure to do it until you feel ready is there?

Thanks no, no pressure, but I don't want him to switch off because I've been working him in walk and trot for so long!

I would maybe try in a school first, with someone on the ground with you and a balance rein on the saddle, or a running martingale. Or even on the lunge (although my last horse used to love a buck and a play on the lunge when I asked for canter, so maybe not lol).
You have heard it might happen, so you can be prepared for it, but try not to anticipate it.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on!

I know I'm fine on him when he's on the lunge he has the most wonderful, comfy canter! You cover a tonne of ground but feel like you've barely moved - it's a fantastic feeling!

Don't always listen to other people.They may have their own agendas.They may not be as experienced as you.

Thanks unfortunately one of them was a member of staff! And I would hope that she's more experienced than I am!!

Bear in mind that other peoples versions of tanking off are often in reality a forward going horse that they find frightening because they're not experienced enough to know the difference That happens a lot in the horse world I find!

Haha that is a very good point!! One of the polo ponies I rode was too fast and forward for the other groom, but I just found him to be loads of fun!

It doesn't sound like you are ready to canter so it's probably a good job you didn't (although if I were the owner it wouldn't thrill me with joy to see my horse ridden like this). Go back a few steps and if necessary are you able to ride a quiet, less forward going horse for a bit so that you can learn canter?

SF, could you explain what you meant by "although if I were the owner it wouldn't thrill me with joy to see my horse ridden like this" just curious so as I know what to avoid doing! I'm sure that I can book one from the yard or borrow a friend's, thank you for the suggestion

 

[Jinx94]

This, and choose a sloping hill to start with too. However don't until you feel comfortable. Work on your transitions a lot while schooling to get him apart and listening, esp half halts most of all enjoy it thou

Thanks half halts and transitions are being used loads during our schooling sessions atm! I want to get him more forward and off the leg. He holds his head very nicely and the students that ride him seem to be satisfied with that rather than actually getting him working from behind :/