Downward transition - canter to trot

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spider

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trying to improve our rubbish transition. I'm thinking I should be slowing the canter and dropping into a balanced trot, but what happens is the minute I even think trot he drops out of canter and runs into trot. I am trying to keep my leg on. Anyone any tips please.
 
A BD trainer told me to think of halving the pace I was in, then halving again & again until I was ready to ask for the transition. Don't always ask for the transition, sometimes go back up to the previous pace & sometimes stay at the half pace. It is very important that you don't even think of trot until you're ready, keep thinking & riding canter! This should get him more engaged behind (& you riding forward into the transition) which will make him more balanced in the transition & less inclined to run. If he does run then half halt, pick up canter & try again, if he gets it right then tons of praise so he knows he's got it right.

And remember to sit up, ride the transition forward & up & don't drop him in or immediately after the transition. Lots of riders fall into downwards transitions then wonder why the horse does the same!

Good luck, it will come
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get the canter more energetic (not faster) first, more engaged and balanced, and then just try sitting up, breathe out and stop moving your pelvis with the canter, that is your only aid, keep everything else the same, and it should just flow with balance and engagement.
if he drops to trot the moment you even think about trotting, he's not in front of the leg imho. or he's not fit enough and is tired, or lazy!
 
I agree with Kerilli, really your seat is the the tool you use in this transistion, sit deep, upright and still and make sure the downward transistion is of your choosing not your horse's.
 
Lazy definitely! Spend so much time thinking about keeping the canter going don't have time to think about what my seat is doing! I guess we just have to keep practising.
 
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