Confidence to canter

[P0ny Lover]

Hi, just like to quickly say I am a young rider who recently lost all confidence to ride. Baiscialy at the start of January I fell off in my leason when I was ment to be trotting but the pony I was on bolted. In the first lesson after I did have a canter but it felt like I was going to die, it's worth noting it was a private lesson. I've only had group lessons since then. First few leasons after the private leason I completely lost all confidence, breaking down and crying during leasons and feeling sick when I think of riding. But I'm proud to say I have got my confidence to trot again!! Except I have 100% got 0 confidence to canter. I had started to canter before my fall but still getting used to it. And I've now been offered to canter a few times by my instructors in leasons, but I've felt wayyy to petrified to say yes. My question is if anyone knows how to get my confidence to canter back. I honestly feel nauseous and extremely scared if I even think about cantering. I would be super happy if someone answered my question. Thank you!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I'm sorry you feel like this. It's awful. I have a lovely tb. When I was reschooling him he would shoot off when I asked for canter. It was really unnerving. I put a neck strap on, tucked my inside pinky finger under the strap, then asked fir canter. It just gave me that bit more confidence and stability in my seat. Horse was a very quick learner because he soon caught on that when I put my inside hand on the neck strap it was caner time he just used to strike off into canter himself!! Also try just 2 or 3 strides at a time so you dictate when and where to stop. There will boots of great advice coming but a neck strap really helped me!! Good luck!

 

[toppedoff]

Felt

I also vouch for neckstrap

Lost me confidence around mid January and hated riding. Cantering I was scared of and was struggling alot with accepting things can go wrong (It was the set off that got me, horses I rode were a tad lively sometimes!)

But it took me more time and to sort of been pushed to canter rather than waiting to be asked to canter though I appreciate my circumstances in what I do is different to yours (racing school). My main issue was new horses and how they'd be especially since we had a few situations of multiple people falling off, horses being excited, running off with ect ect. My brain could cope with the chaos but I felt I wasn't good enough or felt like I failed if something went wrong

It took me a while to build up me confidence and love for riding again and that confidence built with each time we Cantered and I got to canter any new horse right before my accident. I am worried I might not have the confidence when I go back into riding though, I feel excited to get back on but who knows what it's going to be like to get back in that moment

It does feel like a leap of faith

I always put a finger through me neckstrap when setting off to canter and slowly wean myself off of it. It makes you feel much more secure! You got this

 

[Cavalous Christmas]

I'm sorry you've lost some confidence. It sounds like you are doing a great job in building it back up again.

Will your riding school do a private lunge lesson so that the instructor is controlling the horse and you can concentrate on your position, holding on if it helps, without the worry that the horse will run off again. I found this really helped me as it took the what ifs and the panic that it was all going to go wrong out of the situation. Good luck

 

[clairebearfur1]

If you can find a really steady school horse thats used for teaching canter ask the instructor can you ride that one. Theres always a steady first time canter horse that should help

 

[Cragrat]

Well done you for getting back and working at this!

It does take time, and it is harder because you had only started to learn to canter.

Neck straps are a necessity. If they are good enough for William Fox-Pitt they are good enough for me

What size horse/pony do you ride? Sometimes, a slightly bigger horse, with a lovely big neck and shoulder in front of you, can feel safer, and they often have a smoother stride too. Can you discuss with your riding school what they think might be suitable?

 

[canteron]

Honestly one day you will just want to canter and it will be great! In the meantime just ask if you can practice a really fast trot …. I am assuming that as riding school ponies getting them forward is not the easiest ….. this will get you used to speed and maybe that feeling of trusting when you feel out of your comfort zone!

Alternatively, do they have a nice horse they can give you a lunge lesson on for your first canter?

 

[P0ny Lover]

Thanks to everyone so far that's replied. Because I'm at a riding school I dont get to really chose what tack the pony I'm riding wears, so neck ropes wouldn't be possible

 

[SpeedyPony]

Thanks to everyone so far that's replied. Because I'm at a riding school I dont get to really chose what tack the pony I'm riding wears, so neck ropes wouldn't be possible

Could you bring a stirrup leather and ask to pop it on whoever you're riding that day as a neckstrap?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Thanks to everyone so far that's replied. Because I'm at a riding school I dont get to really chose what tack the pony I'm riding wears, so neck ropes wouldn't be possible

You could buy your own. Very inexpensive, I got mine from treehouse. Obviously you would need to check with the riding school.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I think if you just walk and trot for now. Concentrate on position and balance. Especially in transitions. Exercises, feet out of stirrups etc then when you’re ready to canter you’ll be more secure. Many ponies have a good thick mane which you can hold if it helps. Enjoy your riding.

 

[Skib]

I hack with a monkey strap/grab strap on the front of the saddle. I have it there for major spooks rather than for canter. However, my RI used it to teach canter and I feel it is preferable to a neck strap because a neck strap encourges the rider to lean forward to reach it, instead of sitting deep in the saddle.