Babies transactions from trot to canter

[scribble]

i have broken several and we tend to do out on a hack if poss and also loose school or lunge. have also taken cross country schooling walk and trot and if we get canter after a jump then thats fine. lets not forget that they do canter and hoon round the field as 3 yr olds.

 

[cambrica]

Thankyou Bexx, all we tend to just do hacking at the moment so she can get out and see everything, but when ive asked for canter in the school its the speed she does struggle with, on hacks it doesnt bother me so much. Sandi thats exactly what my girl does, im in no rush to school her or force her into an outline, if times what she needs then time is what she will have

Again, there is some great advice given here and your last sentence above is exactly the right attitude. Whether its young horses or children you will always have 'The Expert' asking "Aren't they walking, talking, potty trained...cantering, jumping, lunging YET? Learn to know your horse and understand when she is struggling with whats being asked.
My 4 yo Sec D has only just been backed (3 mths ago) and I am no where near the point of asking him for a canter. Watching him loose in the field he appears to be strong and agile, changing leg and has a wonderful collected canter and I have to tell myself 'One Day'! Beneath all of that though is a mentally immature and bum high youngster who would really struggle with his balance under my weight.
I read this passage once and it really stuck with me:
'If you make a goal to make todays ride as good as it can be today, on the horse that is under you, every ride will be a success - You and your horse will blossom with pride and accomplishment and your goal will be closer for it'
Taken from Nothing to attain - Just Ride !
http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/html/nothing_to_attain___just_ride.html

Good luck with your baby

 

[Goldenstar]

Out of curiosity, would anyone ever use a small jump to help with the transition to canter with a baby? Or would you alway be cantering before you started jumping anyway? Just asking because when my old girl was learning to canter (12yrs old, ex-driving pony who had never been allowed to canter being either stabled or road driven and not much else) she found it a lot easier using a small cross pole. Would that be completely unsuitable for a youngster?

The worry with that the jump might induce broncing in a inexperianced horse if the riders wieght shifted or the rounding of the back muscle shocked the young horse , a pole on the ground could do the job though.
I personally don't jump three year olds apart from perhaps one cross pole session before I turn them away just to see.

 

[mandwhy]

I have used crosspoles with my girl being 6, and I think it will help her canter in time, mainly because poles get her interested and she is a bit of a sluggish ride so good to keep her interested! We improved our trot greatly just being near a pole

I also would not jump a 3yo.