FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
I cannot imagine cantering on a road. It doesn't compute in my head as from a kid it has been a real no no.
Cantering on Roads
- Thread starter BusyBee3293
- Start date
LollyDolly
Well-Known Member
I have only ever cantered on roads unintentionally, and that was only for a few strides when the horses were being a bit silly. I have however deliberately cantered on the grass verge at the side of the road, this was with my first pony at my first ever yard when I was 13 as there wasn't any riding facilities!
However, aged 19 on my third yard with my third pony it is quite safe to say that I haven't intentionally done it for many years as I am on a fantastic yard
However, aged 19 on my third yard with my third pony it is quite safe to say that I haven't intentionally done it for many years as I am on a fantastic yard
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Yet another thing I do differently with a barefoot endurance horse than I learned as a kid. Both cantering on roads, and extended trot on roads, are common occurrences on rides.
cbmcts
Well-Known Member
When I drove I always let the horses canter up steep hills - they found it easier then trotting/walking especially in a breast collar. Unlike ridden horses even when shod they didn't slip.
bubbilygum
Well-Known Member
I was always taught not to canter on roads, and never do (except for when naughty cob has other ideas) BUT its probably no worse than cantering on rock hard fields, either dry or frozen, which I see riders doing all the time!
Oliviaandsparrow
Well-Known Member
My (barefoot) tb loves it! It's never an intentional 'lets canter now' but up hills he just sort of pops into a collected canter. He is a tarmac-aholic though...
Never did such things with fully shod pony though
Never did such things with fully shod pony though
Centauress
Well-Known Member
Thank You re BareFoot Cantering, You have Just Answered a Question I Needed the answer to for What I'm Doing......
You WILL find out what it is Evencherly<sp?>
You WILL find out what it is Evencherly<sp?>
turkana
Well-Known Member
I do it quite often, my horses haven't got shoes on, it's not something I would do deliberately if they were shod but as long as it's a clear road & I can see there's no cars coming it doesn't bother me.
The last time I did it I was hacking back from hunting, my horse was very fired up so it was easier to let her canter home along the rode then fighting it out & trying to make her walk or trot. There was no way she was going to hack home quietly, so letting her canter along the road kept her much calmer.
I do canter her on the road sometimes when hacking as well, she's a hot head so I feel that letting her have a canter & therefore letting off some steam is better than insisting on going slower & winding her up.
The last time I did it I was hacking back from hunting, my horse was very fired up so it was easier to let her canter home along the rode then fighting it out & trying to make her walk or trot. There was no way she was going to hack home quietly, so letting her canter along the road kept her much calmer.
I do canter her on the road sometimes when hacking as well, she's a hot head so I feel that letting her have a canter & therefore letting off some steam is better than insisting on going slower & winding her up.
muffinino
Well-Known Member
I spent a portion of yesterday cantering on the road out hunting. My horse has a lovely extended trot hunting that I can only dream of achieving in a dressage ring 
however I would think the collected canter is probably easier on the legs than a spanking trot. Quite often, especially when moving off, it is difficult to keep up if you don't canter.
I now have short bursts of canter on the road (a private lane leading to the yard) when out hacking. I figure that cantering on the roads is likely to happen out hunting, therefore it makes sense to get the horse used to listening to me whilst cantering on the roads out hacking. Plus his legs need to get used to it so better to do it in short bursts beforehand.
He is quite fit, though, and has always been trotted on the roads, so is in a good position to be ok with being cantered on the road.
ETA He is shod, too.
however I would think the collected canter is probably easier on the legs than a spanking trot. Quite often, especially when moving off, it is difficult to keep up if you don't canter.I now have short bursts of canter on the road (a private lane leading to the yard) when out hacking. I figure that cantering on the roads is likely to happen out hunting, therefore it makes sense to get the horse used to listening to me whilst cantering on the roads out hacking. Plus his legs need to get used to it so better to do it in short bursts beforehand.
He is quite fit, though, and has always been trotted on the roads, so is in a good position to be ok with being cantered on the road.
ETA He is shod, too.