canter help?

[alicesmith]

While I'm definitely not a new rider (I've been riding for about 19 and a half years), I figured this forum was the best place to ask for advice.
I have done almost everything anyone could think of with horses, and yet I have one huge weakness - my canter seat. I'm fairly sure this stems from having ridden bouncy bouncy ponies almost exclusively, and I did a lot of jumping as a child/younger teenager, so my default canter position is light seat, but as I'm a grown up now and am looking to start doing real-adult-person dressage (instead of just walk and trot), I really need to work on this! If we're hacking on flat ground in a straight line, I have a pretty good seat (definitely better than it used to be!), but hills and corners make me just go straight back into light seat. With the exception of stirrup-less work, what tips and tricks have you guys used to actually sit your canters?

Thanks!

 

[showpony]

someone roaring at you to sit up may help but if that isnt an option pop a schooling whip behind your back at the elbows helps

 

[gnubee]

You might find it helps if rather than thinking about sitting you focus on *why* you want to be sitting. You want your seat as an aid, so really think about using it more to influence the canter. You should find that automatically gets you sitting deeper.
Also, don't overthink it - you dont do dressage up a hill, and are probably taking light seat there to make it easier for you and the horse, which is s much a correct use of your seat ss is sitting deep in the dressage arena.

 

[Crabby]

I tried to answer this earlier having more or less got it right after 2 years riding lessons but I struggled to explain how exactly it's done. If I say it's about engaging your core muscles ..Control of the lower abdomen which pushes you down into the saddle whilst still staying flexible enough through your waist to absorb the movement of the canter and all this whilst staying nice and upright whilst your legs reach downwards yet still stay relaxed. .would that make any sense lol.. It took me ages to get it right as I was relaxing too much and then my bum would lose contact. Probably best to try without stirrups as then you have no choice but to go with the movement. sorry I can't describe it properly but it is a lovely feeling once you get it right and start to use your seat to control the canter.

 

[alicesmith]

I think maybe I am over thinking it! Went out today and cantered on the flat, it felt better but my legs aren't too happy with me! But I hope that's just because I'm starting to do it right
I'm definitely going to get my friend to shout at me when I'm schooling, and that whip trick sounds like a good plan.

Thanks all for your help!