Canter Transitions - Rushing

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pepperandoran

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Some advice needed please
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When asked for canter my horse has a tendancy to rush off at top speed for a few strides, its quite hard to explain what he does.
When I ask for canter he doesnt immediately strike off, he runs for a couple of strides then leaps into canter, instead of popping nicely into it (hope that makes sense!) He has quite a big canter so i find it quite hard to contain it!
I had a lesson with my instructor last week and we did some work on it and had him striking off quickly from my leg and there was none of this rushing off, today at home though I couldnt for the life of me get him to do it!
Any help or advice would be appreciated
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I would be interested in this as the cob I ride does this.
Sometimes she does strike off nicely though. I have to make very clear and strong leg aids, and whilst maintaining the ontact through the reins, also give a little so the horse knows you want them to go forwards. I kind of works for me!
 
transition to canter just before canter poles. after a few times of falling over they twig that they have to steady the canter straight away. my anglo arab does the same then bombs off for about 5 strides before a nice canter
 
have you tried: transitions starting with walk to trot, trot to halt, halt to trot, have a canter, more trot to halt, halt to trot then try asking walk to canter, canter to walk, then you could always try halt to canter, canter to halt. or you could try when asking for canter, half halting and keeping your leg on, and sitting back, if he rushes slow him down half halt and ask again. good luck
 
Make sure you are sitting up tall and fractionally behind the vertical so that you are not tipping forward just before asking for canter as many people do this to will them into canter, if you tip forward you just push your horse on the forehand and make him run into his transition. Also make sure you do not give too much with your reins as again, some people through the reins at the horse just before canter to allow them to pop up but it again, just drops them onto the forehand. Dont ask for canter unless you have a good ballanced purposeful trot with him going around on the bit properly, if he rushes just before cantering bring him straight back to a slow trot, dont actually allow the canter!! then set him up with a good trot and try again.
 
I have had this very same problem and to make it worse I didn't realise that as soon as she went into canter I would check her so she immediately thought that I was fighting her and she was fighting me as soon as we asked for canter - bit of a catch 22 situation.

A good instructor made sure that the trot was perfect before asking for canter, if she starts rushing I bring her back, she is not allowed to rush into canter and as soon as she does get into canter I have to ensure that I don't subconciously tug at her because I am expecting her to career off!

We are definitely improving but I feel I need to get her back checked because she is definitely running away from me.

Not sure if that is any help to you at all!! - but good luck!
 
Is this a young horse that is possibly unbalanced?
My horse does the same thing but he has a spavin so often has trouble sorting himself out. Also when he gets a wrong leg he panics about it (in anticipation) the next time.
I'd try to keep things relaxed and easy, make sure your horse is not falling out....Maybe this horse needs to gain strength behind. I wouldn't make a big issue of it or you may induce tension. As the horse gets stronger/more balanced things may rectify themselves.
 
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