Canter/working in an outline exercises?

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flurryjuno

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I got my mare at the start of May and between having no saddle, hacking out because of the intense heat and then having 6 weeks off after I tore the ligaments in my foot, its finally time to sort this out!

Before I got her she was used for hacking out/the odd canter in the arena for three years therefore doesn't work in an outline and only has one pace in canter. To be fair she does now understand the concept of corners and the actual canter transition and the odd time actually working on the bit, but now I need to think about lengthening/shortening and bending more. Can anyone please suggest some exercises for this?:) Thank you!
 
There are many different exercise that could help, transitions, flexions, use of half halts, lateral work etc but its best to have a bit of a plan and progression of exercises.

I've just sent you a private message
 
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Hmm... lots of transitions between the paces to get her listening? Shallow loops, serpentines, shallow loop serpentines down the center line? To quote my wonderful instructor - pretend she is cut off at the base of her neck! In other words, don't worry so much about what her head is doing - give her a steady contact to work into, but focus much more on getting her going correctly under you and bending through her body. Feel where you are losing her through the bend and strengthen that bit of you to catch her. For instance with my lad for a right hand bend I need to strengthen my right hand side and almost leg yield him off the track as he 'hinges' at his shoulder and that helps keep him straight, whereas bending left he drops his back on the right side so I need to lighten my right bum cheek to make him lift his back to find me. Once she is working her back and body properly the chances are a few minor tweaks will get her 'on the bit'. If you can find a good biomechanics instructor have some lessons with them - I'm a complete convert!

I'd also work on establishing within pace transitions in walk and trot before trying canter.

Good luck!
 
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