Canter transition

[Belleoftheball]

I must admit I feel very stupid asking such a question! But I've recantly got a new horse and she's very well trained and knows all her canter half passes and pirouettes etc but whenever I ask for canter she starts doing extended trot and then I carry on giving the aids but accidently start rising which obviously gives her mixed signals. My lower leg is all over the place, how can I keep my lower lev still?

 

[be positive]

If you cannot keep your lower leg still she will be very confused as she is so well educated she will be wondering what you are asking for and trying to get it right despite the confusion with your aids.
I would get a good instructor to help you establish your position and become more stable in the saddle, for now only ask for canter from walk which will make it easier for you to give a clear aid and she should find it easier to know what is required, keep things simple until you can get the basic gears in place and leave the half pass and piris for lessons when your instructor can ensure you are not confusing her by giving mixed signals, having a schoolmaster is great but they can be tricky to ride if they become confused and you don't want to undo all the good training that someone has put in over the years by struggling on without help, once you find the buttons you will have great fun.

 

[EQUIDAE]

Instead of thinking outside leg back to ask for the canter (which can make you wobbly) think of advancing your inside hip instead. Also use your voice - until you are more in sync with you horse it might be easier to add the vocal cue as well as the ridden cue. Also make sure you have a really good trot before you ask.

 

[Booboos]

I'd try what Equidae suggested. Do a nice sitting trot in the corner, count three strides, half- halt on the last stride and ask for canter using your seat more than your legs. Expect her to jump into it and it will happen. How is walk to canter? Might be an idea to try that first to clarify your aids.

Do you have a regular instructor? Your horse sounds well educated which is lovely but it is easy to confuse such a horse if you do not know her buttons. If I were you I would get help ASAP to ensure a good start to your relationship.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would practise from walk .
Think check the slight shoulder fore positioning out side leg gently a little back the inside leg and hip slightly forwards and ask for the transition .
My horse often won't canter for friends he just goes into extension until they realise that you must prepare then ask for the transition with the inside hip and a little leg.

 

[mirabela123]

I would practise from walk .
Think check the slight shoulder fore positioning out side leg gently a little back the inside leg and hip slightly forwards and ask for the transition .

My horse often won't canter for friends he just goes into extension until they realise that you must prepare then ask for the transition with the inside hip and a little leg.

Thanks for advice

 

[Cortez]

The mistake a lot of people make when riding more advanced horses is to use the outside leg to give the active canter aid. It should be the inside leg that actually gives the aid; the outside leg just gives the position. Also it is really just a touch with the leg (or should be) not a great big squeeze. Ideally the aid should be given with the spur at higher level, again....just a touch.

 

[Simon Battram]

Another couple of thoughts - be clear with your half halt so she is waiting for the next aid. Secondly ride a 10m circle say from E or B and just as you return to the track ask for the canter. I am presuming (guesstimating...lol) that she will not associate this place for medium trot. Sometimes well trained horses answer what you think they mean and therefore you just need to break the cycle.