Canter Transition

[Sjb1]

Hi everyone
I am really struggling with my canter transition and my horse just ends up doing a fast trot and tries to cut the corner.
I am trying for a canter in the corner and outside leg back - inside on the girth - when i do this do i need to put pressure on the inside and outside leg??
Please can you give me a step by step advise?
Thank you all

 

[Muckmeister]

Hello
Canter transitions can be a real struggle. Sometimes the horses don't understand, sometimes they are not strong enough, sometimes we don't give the right signals ... sometimes all of the above.
I think you are doing absolutely right by starting with asking the horse in the corner. It will already have the right "set-up" (bend etc) and you can concentrate on the aids. The fact that your horse runs would indicate that a slightly stronger contact is required so you can keep him / her forward into your hands. As you prepare for the transition, try to ride a couple of circles with a good contact, concentrating on a good trot rithm. When you feel your horse truly between your leg and hand, in a good trot, take a few strides sitting (may 3-4 strides), maintaining that contact and rythm, then start rising again. When these changes feel nice, take a couple of steps siting trot (say just after C) and ask for canter in the next corner. Sit up, breathe out, maintain your contact. Keep your inside leg by the girth, giving a firm aid, move the outside leg only slightly back, with slightly more pressure. You should get canter.
If not, back on the circle, back on the contact, rising trot, back to that nice rythm. Move your whip to your outside hand. When all feels nice, sit, ask again. Sit-up, breathe out, keep the contact. Inside leg on, outside slightly back, firm tap with the whip behind your outside leg. Sit up, keep your contact, breathe. You may get a buck or a very sharp transition so it is vital that you are sitting up, shoulders back and keep your rein contact.
Every time you get canter correctly, praise. Keep it short and simple at first and once you get the transitions immediately when you ask move on to longer spells

 

[soulfull]

Good advice given above
The other thing that often works very well is to keep tapping a long whip down the inside shoulder
You need to make sure that you can keep this up nonstop until horse canters as if you stop before you get canter you will lose this as an aid. The first couple of times it may take a good few taps but after that it will be much quicker response

 

[Sjb1]

Great advise- ill try it all
Thanks so much.

 

[*Jen*]

I had major problems with my canter transitions in my last lesson! My pony just wouldn't listen to my inside leg and pick it up! He's been ridden by so many people over this summer season he's just a bit out of shape!
Are you having lessons? My instructor is going to put me on the lunge for a bit so I can focus on my aids and get my confidence back a bit