collecting and slowing horse in canter!

[Redrocketsxoxo]

i've been loaning a 14hh welsh c mare for around 2 1/2 years now and she was very difficult to start with. she now has a very collected trot and has a lovely trot. Her canter is very speedy again and whenever i half halt her she isnt listening or being too responsive and she is constantly sticking her neck out. i know she can do it because there are times she does it and times she doesnt. please help i need some tips or some exercises to get her more collected again and get her responding nicely


someone pleaseee help!! x

 

[Baileybones]

Do you have an instructor who can help you? The main thing is you need to keep your leg on whilst slowing the rhythm but having someone on the ground will definitely help.
A good exercise is trying to collect on the short sides and lengthen on the long sides of the arena.

 

[rowan666]

it sounds like it maybe a combination of her being a little unbalanced and you possibly giving mixed signals?, it would definatly be worth while getting an instructor for a couple of lessons as its quite hard to say without actually seeing whats going on. I find doing lots of transistions always gets my anglo listening and focused again when his brain wonders away with the fairys

 

[YorksG]

Agree with both of the above, and will add really sit deep and slow the canter with your seat, not your hands.

 

[kassieg]

Technically there is a difference between slowing &collecting the canter.

I guess what you are wanting to do is slow it down as it doesnt sound like your pony is balenced enough to be able to collect.

I think the main thing is you need to remember to always use your leg with your hand & not just your hands to slow her down as your leg supporting her will help to keep her balenced rather than trying to run on her front end

Try putting her on a 20m circle the gradually asking her to make it smaller then bigger again as this will help engage her from behind and she will have less opportunity to run off

 

[blitznbobs]

I'd go for lots of trot canter transitions , every 3 strides or something this way she'll learn to come back to you. Once you can trot canter every 3 strides try your half halts again with loads of leg and see if she starts to sit. But there is no point in this til you get a great transition - cobs (welshies in particular) canter with their front legs first given half a chance they need to learn to start the pace at the back... Once they do this you may be onto a winner.