Canter help please???

[Chipster]

I am really struggling with my canter and could do with a couple of tips....

I did my very first dressage test at the weekend, which was P12 and got 52.8% which I was really pleased with but I lost my marks for my canter.

The judge commented that it was a four beat canter and that it wasn't connected... So, I have been riding much more forward, but I am finding that I am now getting a powerful, 3 beat, uphill canter ( my lad has a huge stride!!) using my leg/seat, Half halt but I cant get him to bring in his head to the vertical?

Any suggestions? My instructor told me that as his neck is set low, I need to hold my hands higher, as it unbalances him if I keep them low! I have tried this too but am still struggling!

 

[K27]

It's difficult to say without knowing your horse, but if it were my horse i'd work them however they are most comfortable with their head and neck, so if they have a low set neck then i'd probably go with that and work them lower and stretchy to get them really relaxed and supple and in a good soft elastic contact and then when they have gained balance within the pace work more up and together in short bursts, until the strength is there. Also is there any where where you can practice your canter out hacking in the open, so you can get a good rhythm going.

Transitions from say halt and walk to canter, and within the canter may be helpful. Re bringing the head to the vertical- for prelim they would want the horse to be slightly in front of the vertical, rather than thinking "bringing the horse head in" try thinking "pushing his neck, head and ears out", if you ride with really really giving hands when he is soft, extending from the shoulder and elbows, and ride from the seat as you are doing it will all get easier, and you'll be able to hold he pace with your seat.

Well done for your first test, and good luck with everything.

 

[Damnation]

It will come in time. Remember this is a completely new thing that you are asking him to do and you are asking him to use his muscles alot more, therefore it could take time before he builds up/gets used to using his muscles to a better capacity.
Things like spirals in canter, spiralling in then out can really help them to get engaged

 

[kirstyl]

Hi, I agree with K27. Think you really have to work at getting the quality of your canter established before worrying too much about the horse's head position. It probably feels as if you are taking a step back by losing the outline in pushing him on in the canter, but once your horse is comfortable with this way of going, he may well start to soften his outline himself or he will at least be more pliable for you to work with him. See it as a work in progress! I can empathise as going through similar canter issues myself at the mo. Good luck!