Canter transition

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Belleoftheball

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I've got a very well schooled mare on loan but I find the majority of times I asked to canter she either does a choppy trot or an extended trot. I give her a tap on the sholder but it's a while before she responds. Anybody have any tips?
 
are you asking correctly? I wonder if she is well schooled if maybe you are asking with both legs at the girth instead of correctly hence getting the different trots. Presumably the choppy trot may be because you are unwittingly taking a bit of a hold expecting the extended trot to happen instead of the canter.
 
It sounds like she either isn't as well schooled as the owner has led you to believe or you aren't asking correctly.

I have found when teaching a horse to canter that sometimes it is easier to ask at the end of the long side when you are coming up to the corner - that way you naturally have the bend to help and the short side to keep things under control. Also rather than thinking of bringing your outside leg back (which can tip you off balance), think of bringing your inside hip forwards. Finally - think of the quality of the trot. If the trot isn't feeling full of power you won't get a decent canter. Ask for a nice trot and then sit and ask - the canter should come in 2-3 strides at the most. If it doesn't then slow the trot down and ask again.

Another thing you could try is cantering out on hacks - once you have established it where there is more space to get into it, it will become easier in the school.
 
My horse J will persistently offer extended trot when ridden by strangers I assume it's because they don't have the inside leg slightly forward and they don't automatically use the inside hip or the outside leg as far back as I do when I ask .
I would try to be very strict with your self that your preparation make sure you are a clear difference between the inside and out side leg .
Try from walk as this may help.
And try saying canter .
Some horses are still trained to canter off the offside leg so check what the horse was taught .
 
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