first canter out on horse

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impresario08

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Even though I've had my boy for coming up 3 years this summer I have never actually managed to canter him out on a hack due to both of us being injured at various points! He is now coming back into work and we will be able to canter soon. I don't want to canter him in the school too much as he does the "wall of death", and I think cantering out in a straight line will be better for his confidence and balance....but I'm worried I won't have any brakes or I'll get bucked off...
 
I'd say forward planning would be your friend....

For instance, even my 5yo can canter his pony on one of our hacks, because its a narrow lane up a hill, and I go in front and hubby behind.

Find somewhere like that, take one sensible friend if you think that would be better, and you go in front so horse doesn't feel the need to charge to catch up...

Then if that goes well, try it in different places, before starting to canter in the school.

Good luck

Fiona
 
Fiona said:
I'd say forward planning would be your friend....

For instance, even my 5yo can canter his pony on one of our hacks, because its a narrow lane up a hill, and I go in front and hubby behind.

Find somewhere like that, take one sensible friend if you think that would be better, and you go in front so horse doesn't feel the need to charge to catch up...

Then if that goes well, try it in different places, before starting to canter in the school.

Good luck

Fiona
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brill thanks. Unfortunately the only person who can ride with me has a loopy chestnut mare so I may go solo!!
 
If you have trouble with the stopping be sure to sit down on your bum and half halt repeatedly rather than pull. Much more effective. And have a look at one rein emergency stops!
 
for any ones i've concerning about cantering outside for the first time i take them to the base of a hill, ideally one that gradually gets steeper. it means they can't buck properly and even if they bolt off they will run out of energy and breathe quickly and be easier to pull up.
 
fast or wall of death type canters in an arena are often because the horse cannot balance properly so a straight line out hacking should be a lot easier. I would just ask for canter in a sensible place when the horse has done a bit of work and if it feels as if the horse is unbalanced or getting a bit over strong then come back to trot and then walk on as long a rein as possible (obviously when the horse is calm) so that its not anything exciting and the horse learns that chill out happens afterwards. thats the theory anyway :D
 
Anywhere you canter one spook could have you off!

If you're worried about spooking, when you ask for canter, I wouldn't let you horse shoot off at its own pace, i'd think about sitting on your bum and asking for a nice steady canter. If you think he might be strong or difficult then canter up a hill (I always do on a first go!) as they'll run out of puff (hopefully), it makes them easier to pull up and bucking is less likely. If he's only just coming back into work he might not be fit enough to mess about too much and you'll probably be fine :)
 
Amye said:
Anywhere you canter one spook could have you off!

If you're worried about spooking, when you ask for canter, I wouldn't let you horse shoot off at its own pace, i'd think about sitting on your bum and asking for a nice steady canter. If you think he might be strong or difficult then canter up a hill (I always do on a first go!) as they'll run out of puff (hopefully), it makes them easier to pull up and bucking is less likely. If he's only just coming back into work he might not be fit enough to mess about too much and you'll probably be fine :)
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that is a good point, he will be too pooped to mess around! the hill I'm thinking of is fairly steep and near home too, so if I do fall off he will know where to go
 
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