Counter Canter

[moneypit1]

Has lesson on Fly yesterday and one of the things I had to do was counter canter off half a 15mtr circle. I just could not do it. Fly insisted on doing a fabulous flying change even though I really tried to lean on the leading leg and keep him going! Felt very fustrated. What can I do to get him to listen to me and not take over proceedings?

 

[_l_i_z_]

try keeping a little bit of outside bend in counter canter, will find it very hard to change then!

 

[Partoow]

The best way to introduce counter canter, after ensuring the quality of true canter, well balance with a clear 3 beat rhythm in both reins with you the rider supporting the horse sitting tall and light with the inside leg on the girth, the outside leg behind the girth. the position of the legs is vital as in counter canter the legs really steer the movement.
Ok so you've ensured all these things you can introduce counter canter firstly via a 5m loop on the long side of the arena, making sure you use the corners to give you good flexion and bend to the true canter and then 'steer the canter slightly off the track balancing him on the outside rein with the outside leg really keeping the hinquaters under control;i.e dont let him 'fall' back to the track. Make sure you keep the rein open to the leading leg sitting slightly on that side. You can then increase the 'ask' by making the loop 10m.
Another way is to ride a change of rein on the short diagonal, i.e to B or E , ensuring the same criteria as for the 5m loop.Then ride a balanced transition to trot after cantering on the remaining long side with the feeling of shoulder in in the dirrection of the leading leg.Again once you are able to ride this in balance including the transition then you can introduce the short end of the arena but think of that end as a half 20m cirle so that you keep the balance smooth and regular . The key being using the 'outside' leg behind the girth to keep the hindquaters 'out'. It is this that is vital in keeping good counter canter.