exercises for improving canter

[horseywelsh]

Any suggestions on movements, exercises, polework, gridwork that can be done to improve the quality of the canter.

Rythm generally ok, but would like canter to be more uphill, and just have that bit more "spring" whilst mainting the roundness.

 

[puddleshark]

I found that working in canter to music not only helped with rhythm but created a little bit more elevation too - especially if you pick music with a beat on each footfall. Irish traditional music seems to work well with my mare...

 

[1alex1moose]

Try setting out four poles raised on the outside only evenly spaced around a twenty metre circle. When you ride it try to get 4 strides in between each one and keep a constant curve while maintaining the canter. there should be no need for your horse to jump the poles but the whole exercise is surprisingly difficult.

If your horse is the a reasonably athletic type then long lines of raised canter poles will help build strength too.

also lots of collecting and then moving on and vice versa.

 

[MrsMozart]

We have recently found with Little Cob, that really working on the trot (transitions, riding deep - no stirrups

, serpentines, figures of eight, etc., have made his canter so much better - he used to look like a constipated cow when viewed from the rear

, now he looks much more together, contained, and far less cow-like

.

 

[Halfpass]

I have a great one that I did in my lesson on Monday.
Canter a large cricle 20 meters or more if you can. Then every so often do a smaller circle (1meters) as you come out of the smaller circle a stride or 2 of opposite flexion then into then a couple of straight strides then onto your next small circle. Really helps the collect the canter, get more jump and encourages the horse to take more weight on the outside hind.

I started of the excercise in a long low outline then as he got more balaned I began to pick him up make the smaller circles smaller and collect him more. It worked a treat.

I hope I have explained it ok.

 

[MrsMozart]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a great one that I did in my lesson on Monday.
Canter a large cricle 20 meters or more if you can. Then every so often do a smaller circle (1meters) as you come out of the smaller circle a stride or 2 of opposite flexion then into then a couple of straight strides then onto your next small circle. Really helps the collect the canter, get more jump and encourages the horse to take more weight on the outside hind.

I started of the excercise in a long low outline then as he got more balaned I began to pick him up make the smaller circles smaller and collect him more. It worked a treat.

I hope I have explained it ok.

[/ QUOTE ]

I confused!

Canter a 20m circle - got that bit.

When on the circle, canter small circles off the big one?

I don't get the opposite flexion though... Then again, I have very little in the way of brain cells. Ho hum.

 

[Halfpass]

I knew i didn't explain it well

So a 20 meter circle then smaller circle inside the bigger one (like loops of the bigger circle)
As you hit the track of the big 20 meter circle do opposite bend for 1/2 strides then straight or correct bend for 1/2 strides then another big loop.

Arrrrr I know what I mean but can't explain it properly!!!

 

[horseywelsh]

i get what you mean, thanks