Canter worries

[express_75]

Since falling off during a canter lesson & braking my ribs, im dreading asking for a canter in the school!

I did canter on a hack on saturday, just a few strides uphill but im worried about cantering in the school incase she leans on me again and pulls me out of the saddle.

She's only 5 (Welsh cob) and my instructor said it's because she is unbalanced that she did this.

How do i get her lighter in canter?

Help! I want to enjoy cantering!

 

[damsel]

Just work on the straight don't do a canter on the bend as this will be when she leans the most just start off with a couple of strides and wear a body protector if you are worried. It is always nerve racking when you have fallen off especially when you have hurt yourself just be confident and steady.x

 

[hellybelly6]

I know how you feel, I broke my ribs jumping a small cross pole.

Do not try canter until you feel you are ready and as damsel said, when you ask for canter do not ask on a corner. I do not ride without a body protector now, 5 broken ribs has taught me that painful lesson.

Being only 5 your mare will be unbalanced and perhaps a bit unfit so only canter a few strides at a time and as your confidence builds up, which it will, increase the amount of canter. The best way to help with her balance is practice. How is she at leg yielding and shoulder in? Improving my horses lateral movements also improved his canter and flexibility.

Could you ask your instructor for advice and some 'homework' to do?

 

[express_75]

Thanks.

I really want to canter but she zooms off then i have a few nice, steady strides then its back to trot.

When i ask down the long side, what aides do i give her?
I've only ever asked on a corner and that was just sit down & squeeze....I want to feel a nice pop into canter and not flat out! lol

She's done a few shows (not ridden by me) so she knows what to do, it's just me & my lack of nerve now after that fall.

 

[AmynPeanut]

peanut used to do this, it worried me too as he was the first proper youngster i'd ridden. We had a horrid time, he'd rush into canter but would be really unbalanced when asked to slow down. Then we had major issues with cantering on a certain leg or "motorbiking" badly, then had issues getting into canter full stop... absolute horror, crushed my confidence and i nearly gave up. We were both so stressed that someone suggested just cantering when out hacking, so thats all i've done since march now. it took ages for him learn to like cantering again but now hes quick off my leg and really happy. i took him in the school for the first time in ages the other night, and success!! Balance pretty much sorted itself out, strike off into canter is almost spot on, got the wrong leg occaisionally but hey!
Sometimes you just need to leave somethings to sort themselves out, in a situation where you're stressed so will your horse and you'll never get anywhere... so my advice for what its worth is just to take the pressure off and enjoy yourself in the open countryside for a bit!

 

[helenhorse]

Hi nina, i would love to share my tips with you..
ok, you say she rushes or rather runs into canter..canter poles will sort this problem. Ask youyr instructor to position canter poles down the long straight of the school and trot towards them in a nice rhythmical collected trot. Sit about 4 strides before the poles and ask for canter, make sure your aids are clear and correct. SAhe might not listen to your aids at first and only strike off into canter when she reaches the poles. This is fine because you are getting a clear strike off and she will over time start to associate your canter aids with a quick easy strike off. Also when you ask with the aids and when you go over the poles click your tounge and say canter so that she also associates the word orn rather tone of your voice with striking into canter.
If ever you feel yourself tipping forward out of the seat when she runs into canter, then just sit back, push your chest out, shoulders back and heels down and look UP.
Once you have mastered the strike off over the poles you can start asking for a strike off in canter along the straight with out poles. If she does it nicly then leave it at that. When she does listen to you then leave it. Less nagging and more praise will get the best out of her.
Remember if she makes a mistake like running before canter without the poles/ single pole then stop straight away and go back into work or a very slow collected trot, go large for a bit and ask over the pole again. Dont worry about mistakes or misunderstandings between you both just make sure you correct them.
hope i could help
xxx

 

[AnnaJ]

OMG. This sounds just like me! I've fallen off Athena twice whilst being in canter and I've also broken a couple of ribs. I too am also worried about cantering in the school. I tend to hold on for dear life, even though I know she's not going to take off with me. We have a number of quite steeps hills and I am tempted to canter her up these as I know she can't go as fast as she would like. I'm having a lesson on Wednesdya evening, so hopefully I might get a canter out of her - fingers crossed!!!