Confidence back in canter

[P0ny Lover]

Hi I've done a thread before, but to sum it up I'm a young rider who lost ALL confidence to ride just shortly after starting to learn how to canter a few times. Ok so I felt pretty hopeless that I was every going to get my confidence back. Untill I saw someone say exposing themselves abruptly to the riding gear worked for them. So I decided next riding leason I would not cry whilst trotting and force myself to trot. It worked!! I even did sitting trot, a big fear at the time. Now I'm actively being offered to canter but I feel absolutely 100% petrified to canter. So here is my big question! Am I better to just wait untill I feel like I genuinely want to canter, or should I just force myself to canter when offered. Since exposing myself to trot worked seemingly ok, it could work with canter. Plus I only get to ride once a month, I dont want to waste my leason. Thanks to anyone who answer my long winded question!!!

 

[Gloi]

Remember that they wouldn't ask you to do it if they didn't think you were capable.
Whatever you decide to do you are gaining experience, not wasting your lesson. Good luck.

 

[94lunagem]

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, we’ve all been there with a confidence crisis at times.

@Gloi is spot on, your instructor won’t ask you to do something they don’t think you can do. I’d take it out of your hands, go with the flow and let them tell you when to try for canter.

And remember it’s supposed to be fun. There’s plenty you can do and learn in walk and trot, if you’re not ready to cancer, don’t

Let us know how you’re getting on.

 

[Annagain]

Do whatever feels right. If you’re enjoying the trot and feel brave, go for it but don’t force it. The first time will always be a bit scary but the riding school wouldn’t let you try if they didn’t think you could. Would it help to ask for your favourite, most trusted horse?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

It's not a wasted lesson if you don't canter. My last lesson was majority in walk and it was honestly one of the best, most educational lessons I have had in 20ish years of having lessons! I could see how it will all feed into canter work feeling much less scary next time I try it (because I usually get all grippy and everything goes a bit to pot, but we've been working on those things in walk and trot before going back to canter). You'll do it when you're ready and until then enjoy what you are doing.

 

[ditsyponies]

I think if you have only just gained that confidence in trot, don't push yourself too much all at once and risk going backwards (if that makes sense). If it was me, I would get myself really confident in walk and trot first but keep it fun; could do polework, work on transitions, perfect circle sizes, run through intro tests, no stirrups, no reins and more.

Although like the above comments said, your instructor won't be saying you to canter if you weren't ready for it and I don't think not cantering is a waste of lesson, as long as you enjoy it that's what matters - after all we do it for fun so don't feel as though you need to canter! Let us know how you get on/what you decide!