Bit of advice needed re cantering

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A1fie

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I have just started riding a horse who is quite unbalanced and his cantering in the school is really fast. His owner says that he is much better out on hacks. I am a novice rider and my cantering is not brilliant. I had thought that I shouldn't attempt to canter out on a hack until I was confident in doing it in the school but now I'm not sure, especially as I'm told that he finds it easier. I'd be grateful for people's opinions. Also any tips to get him to slow her canter down in the school as he just seems to set his neck and run away from the bit (he was an ex-endurance horse)
 
This is probably completely the wrong advice and it would depend on how novice you are but when I lost all my confidence and sold my crazy horse I didn't canter my new one in the school till I was happy having a canter and a good gallop on a hack, I know this is probably the completely wrong way round but it worked wonders for me.
 
In the school it would might help to do a 5m loop on the longside to slow him down. I have similar problems with mine and after owning him for 2 years we have only just managed to get a controlled and reasonably balance canter in the school.

Previously it felt like the wall of death down he long sides and then motorbiking in the corners, my instructor asked me to ride a 5m loop (off the track down the long side and into the arena by 5m and then back to the track, kind of like a gentle arch/loop) and it has completely transformed the canter as he is thinking more about it. Obviously once he is more balanced I will remove the loop so I don't look like a nana
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On a hack he is fine though....have been cantering im on hacks for 2 years..he can be a touch on the strong side though. As long as he isn't strong he probably would find it easier.

If your canter needs some work then I would personally prefer to get that nailed before cantering on open land, is there another horse you can practise your canter on to give you some confidence with your own position?
 
Wall of death?? I know the feeling! What helped F not to rush in canter is to squeeze the aid to canter in the corner coming onto the straight and just sit there not hassling him until he broke into canter, which he did eventually, at a much slower and more balanced pace! It takes a lot of time and patience to sort canter in the school so I'd invest in a good instructor if possible
 
Thank you all. I think I will just be patient and get some more lessons and just keep trying a few strides here and there.
 
Good luck, it will all come good.

I echo Naturally about the asking in the corner. I always ask just before the corner and make sure to sit up straight and not tip forward. x
 
Thanks for putting this up Im having sort of the same problem.

I have only had my new horse just under 2 months but the one I had before this one was a complete loon so I had to sell him. I lost what confidence I had with that one so am weary now.

I have been having lessons with my new one walk and trot and had a canter but I found that he rushes his canter and feels unbalanced and at one point I couldnt stop him lol, I turned him on a circle to try and slow him and it worked afetr about 20 circles getting smaller and smaller and me feeling like I was going to fall off!

I felt like he was taking off with me but he wasnt he is just fast.

So now I have the canter thing in my mind becuase I want to do it but am scared he is going run off although I know deep down he isnt.

Im thinking about going to practice on another horse for me to feel more balanced becuase I feel Im all over the place. So If im more balanced and in control this should help my horse shouldnt it?

Would anyone say some lessons on the lunge cantering so that I am balanced and feel happier would help?

I feel soooooo stupid. Its only bloody cater.
 
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