Canter transitions - advice?

[trundle]

Mine are rubbish, and practically non-existant in the school. I just cannot seem to ask my mare for canter consistently and get it, and i think its because I'm nervous. I'm not afraid of the pace, or the speed, but I think I am afraid of her slipping over in the school.

In my head, I know this is nonsense, as she is a very sure-footed balanced horse, and the school has a nicely compacted sand surface. Its not an enormous school, about 18x40, but plenty big enough to work in. My own balance is improving all the time, I really feel "right" on her. I just have this mental block when it comes to asking her for canter in the school, and because of that, and because she is a very sensitive horse, she just gives me a nice extended trot, no canter at all.

What would be the most sensible thing to do? I was wondering if it might be as simple as asking someone else to canter her round the school a couple of times just to prove to me that its absolutely fine and safe, but is there anything else i can do for myself to help me along (apart from telling me not to be a silly mare and just get on with it!)

 

[dianchi]

I would say get an instructor for a few lessons having someone on the ground always helps

 

[jumpthemoon]

How about trying cantering for just a few strides up the long side, then asking for trot again? Do that a few times - if she tries to extend, keep hold of your outside rein to stop her. You could also try coming off the track on the long side and doing an arc to the other long side in canter, so ask as you are about to leave the track, then trot as you get to the other side. This will help you stop if you need it, because you'll have the arena fence to help you at the other side.

 

[galaxy]

Have a few lessons with a really confidence boosting instructor. Go into your local saddlery and ask for recomendations.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

[ QUOTE ]
How about trying cantering for just a few strides up the long side, then asking for trot again?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's exactly what I did with the person I teach who had a panic about canter. Told her to count 3 strides then trot again. Helped her be confident that she was in control which it turned out was the root of her problem. Then added going round the first corner, then the next etc etc. Recently she's started doing half 20m circles of canter to get used to the feeling of constantly turning. Doing it slowly but surely means she never has that awful sensation of motorbiking which is making her more confident which in turn is making it less likely to happen in the first place.

 

[Drummer]

How are you out hacking? I could never get the right canter lead just because it was a mind block for me. We are over it now luckily but I just started practising out on the farm as I was much more relaxed and there were no eyes on me which was also part of the problem - even though no one was wacting it was just all in my head.

 

[Jellicle]

Lunge lessons, so that someone else controls the speed and you can concentrate on balance and relaxation.