Canter transition

[peanut]

Can anyone give me some tips for stopping my 5 yo from running into canter?

I know I should be getting her back onto her hind quarters so that the front can lift and she can step under behind, but it's easier said than done!

Has anyone else had difficulty with this?

 

[Dressagebabe]

Make sure you yourself do not come infront of the vertical, sit very up right and lean back a little more than you usually do, also make sure you are not leaning in either! A lot of people pick up canter in a corner or on a circle, try asking for canter transition down the long side, just before E. The other thing you can try is putting her into shoulder fore before cantering as this stops them tanking off or running on. It is also important that you have a really nice balanced, steady trot before you ask for canter too. Hope this is some help.

 

[amandathepanda]

Dressage Babes comments are all very good, but I would also suggest doing hundreds of canter transitions. Really make sure you prepare well before asking for the transition with your mare in front of your leg and listening to you - that way she is less likely to get confused and run on into the transition. Don't be afraid to use your schooling whip to get more of a reaction while she is learning - a tap as you sit down to ask for canter will just let her know that something different is gooing to happen. When I'm teaching canter I dont worry about what they do with either their front or back end until the horse learns to go forward off your leg into canter. unless you can get a good transition it will be very difficult to get her to sit on her hocks and lighten her front end - better to sort the transitions first by keeping it simple, acheiving one step at a time and then improve the actual canter once you have got a better transition.

 

[peanut]

One of my worst habits is leaning slightly forwards and this obviously is not helping her at all.

Thank you so much both of you. Really helpful.

 

[Wilbur_Force]

My horse used to do this as he was unbalanced and he anticipated the transition when I sat. He used to run so fast in trot that he would just break into canter from that. I did lots of rising trot and then 3 strides of sitting trot every half circle and then back rising again. He stopped thinking 'she's going to ask me to canter in a minute!' and just relaxed. Spiralling in on a circle and then asking for canter when you are spiraling out is also a good one as the hind leg is generally further under the body. Also, try just thinking about canter rather than deliberately asking. Its so difficult with youngsters as you have to be so clear!! Keep up the good work though!