Downward canter transitions

[Fizzy candy]

Hi all, I was wondering if you could help/ reassure me!

I have made the step up from comfy cob to a more forward going horse and loving every minute, BUT with comfy cob all my focus was on upwards transitions and downward was really easy as he was happy to trot at a hint. I am now trying to master downward from canter - I know I can tip forward a bit so it can take me a few asks (and sometimes an extra lap). I can slow the canter speed fine, but getting back into trot is hard work!

Is it just practice practice practice? And is an extra lap quite normal for a rider at my stage? Any tips?

Thanks!

 

[chestnut cob]

Are you having plenty of lessons as you have a new horse? Your instructor will be the best person to ask about this.

 

[Fizzy candy]

Yeah - had one today - worked on trot to walk transition. She also suggested a lunge lesson.

 

[Fizzy candy]

I'm still really curious as to how people find/ manage the step up to a forward going horse. Not so much from a technical riding point of view but more from a "am I normal to find this a big step"! does that make sense? Thanks

 

[oldie48]

Well done for riding a forward going horse, they are just the best! Being behind the leg is an evasion and once you start asking for more energy you often get other problems. However, don't mistake a horse that is "running away" from the leg as being on the aids, they are not and often unbalanced horses will use speed to balance themselves in downward transitions. It is a bit more challenging to ride a F/W going horse because you need to be in good balance yourself and depending on the level of training that the horse has, you need to use your seat more. I'd say that when you ask for a D/W trans from canter to trot, you need to sit up and make sure you are sitting deep into the saddle, ask for the transition with a squeeze on the outside rein and it can be helpful to give a big out breath, just like a deep sigh. Sounds daft but it makes you sit deeper.